Learn how to take direct action in your local elections by joining the
The 40th Ward Dems
Civics Research Project
Understanding Voter Turnout, Strengthening Our Democracy
The 40th Ward Democrats are dedicated to increasing voter participation and ensuring that every voice is heard in our elections. Our Civics Research Project is focused on studying voter turnout in primary elections—analyzing trends, identifying barriers, and developing strategies to engage more residents in the democratic process.
Our Mission
This initiative is dedicated to:
Investigating voter participation patterns in primary elections.
Identifying obstacles that prevent eligible voters from casting their ballots.
Understanding the factors that drive voter engagement.
Creating strategies to boost turnout and civic involvement in the 40th Ward.
Our Goals for this research project are to:
Increase Democratic primary voter turnout by +7%.
Identify and overcome voting barriers.
Work with volunteers and organizations that care about local civic engagement.
To better understand why voters are not turning out to vote in Primary Elections, we will do the following:
Interview and engage voters with partner organizations.
Understand barriers and motivations to voting.
Analyze findings with research partners.
Respond with effective action to increase turnout.
Communicate directly with voters by engaging them with Get Out The Vote information leading up to the Primary Election.
Why This Matters
Primary elections play a crucial role in shaping our political landscape, yet they often see lower voter participation compared to general elections. Our research aims to uncover why this happens and how we can mobilize our community members to make their voices count in every election cycle. For local Chicago elected officials, the decisive election is the Primary Election, not the General Election.
What We’re Working On
Voter Turnout Analysis: Examining historical data to understand voting trends in primary elections.
Barriers to Voting: Identifying voter challenges such as access to polling places, registration issues, and lack of awareness.
Community Engagement: Developing outreach strategies to encourage more residents to participate in elections.
Educational Resources: Providing clear and accessible information about the importance of primary elections and how to vote.
Our Partners
We are proud to collaborate with organizations committed to strengthening democracy:
Indivisible Lincoln Square
Illinois Democratic Women of Cook County
Northside Democracy for America
Additionally, we are consulting our esteemed organizations and experts, including the Analyst Institute and a UIC Research Professor, to ensure our research strategies are data-driven, valid and effective.
Who We’re Surveying
4,931 registered voters in the 40th Ward who:
Voted in the 2022 and 2020 General Elections
Did not vote in the 2024 and 2022 Primary Elections
Age Breakdown:
18-49: 2,745 voters
50+: 2,186 voters
Project Timeline
March & April 2025: Partner organization meetings
Summer 2025: Canvassing, phone calls, texts, and community events
August - November 2025: Signature collection and voter engagement events
Key Milestones
May 2025: 20% of target voters contacted in first canvass
January 2026: Communications plan for voters launched
March 2026: Voter turnout outcomes measured
September 2026: Final results analyzed
How You Can Get Involved
We believe in community-driven research and invite you to contribute by:
Sharing your experiences and challenges with voting in primary elections.
Participating in our surveys and focus groups.
Helping us spread awareness through community outreach efforts.
Volunteering with us to support voter education and mobilization.
Stay Updated
Follow us for the latest findings and ways to take action! Sign up for our newsletter and join the conversation on social media. Together, we can increase voter turnout and strengthen our democracy.
Do you or your organization want to get involved? Contact Committeewoman Maggie O’Keefe at maggie@maggieokeefe.com