Tength Congressional District Democrats

If you have progressive values and are looking for a fall internship that will make a difference, have we got a deal for you! The Tenth Congressional District Democrats (Tenth Dems) is now accepting applications for its Fall 2021 Internship Program. The internship is a substantive program designed for high school, college, and graduate students seeking an opportunity to become deeply engaged in the political process.

Tenth Dems is a grassroots political organization that helps mobilize voters and activists in one of the most widely-watched Congressional districts in the country, featuring battle-tested member of the US House of Representatives Brad Schneider. Now is a unique time to complete a political internship as we transition from the 2020 elections and prepare for supporting and electing Democrats in 2022.

Tenth Dems interns have staffed issue forums and virtual events for elected officials and candidates up and down the ballot, worked on campaigns, and conducted research. Tenth Dems interns were very active during the 2020 election cycle, including helping in legislative races, at the county board level, with countywide candidates, and in turning out the vote for Democrats running for the US House of Representatives and the White House. Interns may choose to complete general internships or specialize in areas such as media, technology, volunteer management, and political outreach.

Internships are unpaid, educational positions; however, academic credit is often available.

“This is an opportunity to learn about a grassroots political organization and to develop important skills,” said former State Representative Lauren Beth Gash, Founding Chair of Tenth Dems. “Many of our interns have gone on to law school or other graduate programs, paid political positions with local campaigns, or jobs in Springfield, in Washington or with national not-for-profit organizations.”

Acceptance into the program is selective, competitive, and contingent upon a virtual interview. Residence in the 10th District isn’t required. Applicants must have an interest in electing Democrats and generally devote a minimum of 8 hours per week to the internship during the fall (16 hours during the summer).

Fall internships will be conducted remotely, although in-person opportunities (for those comfortable with them) will be available. Applicants should submit a brief paragraph explaining why they would like to be part of the program, along with a resume summarizing their educational background and activities. Neither need be formal.

To apply or request more information, email us at info@tenthdems.org. You can also follow us on Twitter (@tenthdems) and Facebook (facebook.com/TenthDems).

By Barbara Altman

While Republican-controlled states across the country are passing legislation to make it more difficult to vote, Illinois’ Democratic legislature and governor have just done just the opposite.

On June 15, Governor JB Pritzker signed into law amendments to the Illinois Election Code designed to make it easier for all those eligible to vote to exercise this precious constitutional right.

Some provisions of the 2021 legislation have been well-publicized. You probably know that Election Day in 2022 – November 8th – will be a State holiday and that schools will be closed that day. The legislation further requires that these schools be available for use as Election Day polling places.

Public schools are in many ways ideal venues for polling places – many are in residential neighborhoods, people generally know where their local schools are, parking is usually adequate, and there is often ample space in gymnasiums.

Designating Election Day a State holiday also should make it easier for working people to get to the polls and for any parent to bring a school-age child along while they vote – a valuable civics lesson. Note that this particular change in the Election Code applies only to 2022.

Polling Place Confusion Eased

In addition to freeing up public schools for use as polling places, the new election law requires each election authority to offer at least one polling place on Election Day where any registered voter, regardless of precinct, can go to vote.

This provision eliminates the confusion many voters experience on Election Day when they learn that their assigned polling place has changed or that their recent move within the county has caused them to be assigned to a new polling place.

If they’re unsure where to go, there will be one place any registered voter can go on Election Day. Contrast this provision with the Republican change to Georgia’s election law that prohibits – except in limited circumstances – counting ballots cast in other than the voter’s assigned polling place. Texas Republicans are considering an even more stringent prohibition on counting ballots cast in the wrong polling place.

Schools Must Inform Students About Voting

What about expanding voter registration? Illinois’ new law requires every high school in the state to disseminate information to its students about how to register to vote, and “[n]o high school may prohibit nonpartisan voter registration activities on its premises,” the law states.

Drop Boxes Are Back

Mail-in voting also has been made easier. Our General Assembly and Governor made permanent the authority to establish drop boxes for the return of mail-in ballots.

That legislation also required that mailed ballots be accepted, regardless of the amount of postage the voter put on (or left off) the envelope.

Our own State Senator Julie Morrison was the chief Senate sponsor of this significant legislation.

Permanent Vote-by-Mail Option

Now, with the newest legislation, Illinois voters will have the option to apply for “permanent vote by mail status.” That is, you can ask to be sent a mail-in ballot for every election, without having to request it each time. You can cancel this ongoing request any time, and if a voter changes their registration, their permanent vote by mail status would be rescinded by the election authority.

Primary, Other Key 2022 Dates Moved

Because the 2020 Census was not completed on time, the new legislation rescheduled the 2022 primaries for much later in the year than usual, with dates for circulating and submitting nominating petitions adjusted accordingly.

Primary Election Day will be June 28, 2022; the first date for circulating petitions will be January 13, 2022; and petitions will be due in March of 2022.