Voter Turnout Extremely Low in McHenry County

Voter turnout in Tuesday’s primary was frustratingly low in McHenry County, at just 19.71 percent of registered voters, according to McHenry County Clerk Katherine Schultz.

“It was a very, very bad turnout,” Schultz said.

“I don’t know what you do to get people to come out and vote. I’ve never seen voter turnout so low,” Schultz said.

Schultz said the state has made it easier for people to vote with early voting, but it hasn’t made a difference.

“It is frustrating all the work that is involved and all the work the candidates put into it. People just stay home and then complain about it later,” Schultz said.

Voter turnout in Tuesday’s primary in Lake County echoed the low turnout throughout Illinois.

Just 23.46 percent of registered voters exercised their right to vote.

Lake County Clerk Willard Helander said voter turnout for primaries is historically lighter than the general election.

However, Helander said she was surprised that voters did not turnout for the 10th Congressional district race. The 10th district runs through most of Lake County.

“That was surprising. It was a four-way race and well financed. I expected far more people to be out and interested,” she said.

Helander was surprised that more people pulled a Republican ballot, than Democrat.

“My personal opinion is that people just weren’t inspired,” she said.

Both Helander and Schultz noted that voter turnout has gone done since the Motor Voter Law went into effect in Illinois in the mid-90s. Motor Voter allows drivers to register to vote when they apply for their license. Apparently, the law has resulted in more registered voters, but not necessarily interested voters.

Voter turnout was low throughout Illinois, perhaps the lowest in decades, according to the Beloit Daily News.

Voter turnout in Chicago was 24 percent, the lowest for a presidential primary in 70 years, according to CBSlocal.com

 according to Palatine Patch.