Low Voter Turnout in Chicago Primaries Raises Concerns About Representation

CHICAGO — As Illinois voters prepare to head to the polls on March 17th, a familiar pattern is emerging in Chicago: low turnout in the primary elections despite several key races for U.S. Congress and the U.S. Senate. While the general election in November will ultimately decide who represents Illinois in Washington, the outcomes of these Democratic primaries are almost certain to determine the winners, given the heavily Democratic lean of the districts in question.

Illinois has two senators and 17 representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Primaries Decide Winners in Safe Districts

Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District hasn’t been represented by a Republican since the 1950s, and the 7th and 9th Congressional Districts haven’t had a Republican representative since the 1940s. The last time a Republican was elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois was in 2010. This historical trend means that the winners of the Democratic primaries in these districts are highly favored to win in November.

Turnout Trends: Primary vs. General Elections

Historically, Chicago has seen significantly lower voter turnout in primary elections compared to general elections. In 2022, midterm primary turnout was around 22 percent, compared to 46 percent in the general election. Similar disparities were observed in 2018 (32 percent primary vs. Over 60 percent general) and 2014 (16 percent primary vs. Almost 49 percent general).

However, early data suggests that turnout for the 2026 primary may be higher than in previous years. As of Monday night, 34,690 ballots had been cast, approximately twice the number received by the same point in the June 2022 primary and almost six times the number cast in the March 2018 primary.

Why the Disparity?

Experts suggest several factors contribute to the lower primary turnout. Laurel Harbridge-Yong, a political science professor at Northwestern University, notes that primary voters tend to be more partisan and have a higher level of political interest. Voting in a primary is often seen as a “party activity” rather than a general civic duty.

“It often requires a lot more investment of time and knowledge, looking at the candidate positions, looking at who has endorsed the candidates [and] so forth,” Harbridge-Yong said.

Crowded Fields Add to the Challenge

This year, voters in several districts face a crowded field of candidates. In the 2nd District, 11 Democrats are vying for the seat being vacated by Rep. Robin Kelly, who is running for U.S. Senate. The 7th District has 13 Democratic candidates running to replace retiring Rep. Danny Davis, who has served since 1997. Fifteen Democrats are competing to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky in the 9th District. 10 Democrats are running to replace retiring Sen. Dick Durbin after five terms.

Melissa Watkins, a Chicago resident, stated that the crowded field in the 9th District motivated her to vote, but acknowledged the research required was substantial. “This felt like one that really mattered,” Watkins said. “But it was a lot of research that had to go into it. I can definitely understand why that could make people think it’s too much work.”

Efforts to Boost Turnout

Organizations like Chicago Votes are actively working to increase voter awareness and participation, particularly in the 2nd and 7th districts, which have historically seen low turnout. They are engaging in canvassing and phone banking to inform voters about the primary election and the importance of their participation.

Camille Williams, a program director with Chicago Votes, emphasized the need to educate voters about election rules and the responsibilities of elected officials. Chicago Votes is also focusing on engaging young voters, including a “Parade to the Polls” event to bring students to the Downtown Supersite polling place.

The “Primary Problem” and its Implications

The issue of low primary turnout is not unique to Chicago or Illinois. Unite America has identified a nationwide “Primary Problem,” where 83 percent of U.S. House seats are effectively decided by just 10 percent of voters.

Harbridge-Yong’s research suggests that elected officials in “safe” districts are more responsive to the interests of primary voters, who tend to be more partisan, than to the broader electorate. This can lead to increased polarization and gridlock in Congress.

“When the primary electorate is this minor and unrepresentative slice of the American public, legislators have an incentive to be responsive to the interests of the few at the expense of the many,” Harbridge-Yong said.