Rockford leaders stress importance of primary elections

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — On Illinois’ Election Day, Winnebago County Clerk Lori Gummow stressed the importance of primary elections.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for voters. A lot of time, they don’t think that they have choices or options. Today, they do,” she said.

The winners of Tuesday’s primary will be put on the April 1st Consolidated Election.

“I think that this is a really good election to demonstrate how each and every vote is so important and your vote could determine the outcome of the races today,” Gummow said.

Tuesday’s election in Rockford was entirely Democrats, with the Republican party choosing to caucus instead of primary for a majority of their jurisdictions.

“I know we will be having information on our candidates. And I would encourage research and there’s various organizations that you can pursue to get information on the candidates,” said Paul Hoffman, Chairman of the Winnebago County Republican Central Committee.

Charles Laskonis, Chairperson of the Winnebago Democratic Party, said, “I would say you could volunteer your time to knock on doors to a phone bank or to do whatever the campaign needs through their campaign. I mean, that’s the next level up from voting.”

Both parties say the voice and vote of the voter is a “super power.”