What You Need to Know: Bloomington Election Commission

BLOOMINGTON, Ill.- A sigh of relief may come to those who voted in the 2020 General Election, but the voting isn’t over until April 6. 2021.

The Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners (BEC) Executive Director says he hopes the voter turnout will exceed years prior.

“I think voters pay less attention to them, that being said I think they are as equal in importance, somewhat more so,” said BEC Executive Director Tim Mitchell.

The BEC was established in 1914 and incorporates Bloomington as a city rather than a town. This means there are differences in the election process in comparison to the Town of Normal.

There will be five wards on the ballot this year.

In Ward 7, running in the primary, is Daniel Freburg, Mary War, Kelby Cumpston, June Peterson-Middlebrooks and Coretta Jackson. Bloomington’s Ward 7 qualifies for a primary. The Ward is a competitive race, meaning more than four candidates filed.

Typically primary’s receive less of a voter turnout than the actual election.

Mitchell encourages students to vote. Mitchell is an ISU alum and says that all politics are all local.

“You live here nine months out of the year, what goes on here has a bigger impact on your life,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell says every resident has just as much to gain, considering the consolidated elections specifically elect those who asses issues such as property taxes and school boards.

Mitchell minored in political sciences during his time at ISU. He says he believes that voting has always been an important aspect of life, which led him to be apart of the BEC.

Mitchell also is veteran of the US army.

Tim Mitchell: Photo courtesy to BEC website

“We didn’t put the uniform on for nothing,” said Mitchell, further signifying the importance of voting.

Mitchell’s daughter has also experienced being a polling judge, which is something Mitchell recommends residents and students try. Polling judges get paid about $200 once you complete online training.

“I became an election judge in 2006 and worked through that and expanded out,” said Mitchell. “Be an election judge, my daughter is 16 and has done it twice now enjoys doing it. You get into the process at an early age, you see it, you understand it.”

The primary for Ward 7 is the 23rd of February.

The consolidated election follows and will be April 6, 2021.