42ndWardDemocrats.com

42nd Ward Ranks First in Voter Turnout and Voter Registration Thanks to the Hard Work and Dedication of Our 42nd Ward Volunteers

A big thank you goes out to all the volunteers that helped the 42nd Ward Democratic Party on Election Day and in the months, weeks and days before the election. Your efforts help us keep the Democratic Party strong and well-organized in the Ward. We operated as a very cohesive unit throughout this election cycle in both registering voters and turning out Democratic votes for Barack Obama and Anita Alvarez. The tremendous excitement and enthusiasm surrounding Barack Obama's Presidential Race created a very high turnout of voters in the Ward. As a result, many problems could have arisen that would have hampered our Election Day turnout efforts. However, I'm very proud to report that election operations in the Ward ran very smoothly and every person who sought to vote in the General Election in the 42nd Ward was able to cast their ballot.

Just as our fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama is writing a new chapter in our nation's history, the 42nd Ward Democratic Party is playing a significant role in determining the outcomes of local, state and federal elections. I am very proud to report that the 42nd Ward led the City in voter registration, early voting and turnout on November 4th. The Ward is now ranked first with 44,959 registered voters and in early voting with 9,734 ballots cast. The Ward was also first in the City in voter turnout with 35,058 persons casting ballots - which far exceeded the second place Ward that turned out 30,155 voters. The 42nd Ward's turnout represented 77.9% of the Ward's registered voters which far exceeded the City's average turnout of 72.1%.

I am also proud to report that our Ward turned a deeper shade of "blue" in this year's General Election. 24,701 votes were cast for President Elect Obama which represented 71.1% of the vote. In addition, the Ward delivered 19,799 votes to State's Attorney Elect Anita Alvarez or 62.7% of the vote. Both vote totals are significant given the large number of voters who have voted Republican at the top of the ticket in the Ward in years' past.

I am also very happy to report that the 42nd Ward organized and sent canvassing car caravans on behalf of President Elect Obama to the battleground States of Michigan and Wisconsin and filled a bus with volunteers the weekend before the election that volunteered in Indiana. In the Presidential Primary Election, 42nd Ward volunteers also canvassed on behalf of Barack Obama in the key state of Iowa five months before the January Caucus and helped turnout the vote in the Ohio Primary Election.

Our volunteer's work has strengthened our Party in the Ward and we could not have had this year's electoral success without their support. I am very proud of our high Democratic vote totals and the efforts of our volunteers. It shows that, working together, we are getting the 42nd Ward Democratic Party back on the right track and we have the ability help elect good Democratic candidates in a General Election both locally - and elsewhere. I am looking forward to working with you in continuing this positive trend and keeping the 42nd Ward a strong Democratic majority Ward in the months and years ahead.

Sincerely,

John C. Corrigan
Committeeman
42nd Ward Democratic Party

About the Author:

John Corrigan is the Democratic Committeeman of Chicago's 42nd Ward. The 42nd Ward encompasses the Gold Coast, Streeterville, Near North, River North neighborhoods on Chicago's north side and the Loop neighborhood in downtown Chicago. The 42nd Ward is an economic engine for the City, the gateway to many of the City's visitors and a great place to live and work. As a young lawyer, John had the opportunity to get to know Barack Obama when he volunteered on his first campaign for Congress in 1999. Over the years, he has had the opportunity to work with Obama on issues in Chicago and Springfield and helped him when he ran for the United States Senate. John is now active in Obama's campaign to become our next President.

John Corrigan is also a veteran of the United States Army, educated in the public school system, graduate of the DePaul University College of Law, attorney and small business owner. He has worked to provide a better quality of life for many residents of the 42nd ward Corrigan currently serves on the Board of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that Illinois has common sense gun restrictions in place to protect the safety of our residents and those serving in the law enforcement community. Corrigan has also served on the Board of Personal PAC, an organization dedicated to ensuring that women's reproductive choices remain protected in Illinois.