Voter turnout in Rockford was the lowest for any mayoral election in the city in decades.
About 11% of the city’s 89,320 registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s election, which featured incumbent Mayor Tom McNamara running unopposed.
“Because we had contested aldermanic races, I think that brought people out into those wards,” Rockford Board of Elections Executive Director Stacey Bixby said. “But since the mayor’s race was uncontested, some people probably felt that there was just no reason to go vote.”
In 2017, 25.6% of the city’s registered voters cast ballots when McNamara defeated independent candidate Rudy Valdez and Republican Brian Leggero.
Voters head to the polls on municipal Election Day
WINNEBAGO COUNTY (WREX) Voters across the Stateline will head to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots in the municipal Election Day.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. Voters get to weigh in on a number of issues, referendums, ballots, and candidates that specifically have to do with the future of their cities, villages and towns.
In Rockford, there are five city wards with contested aldermanic races. Rockford s Mayor Tom McNamara will run unopposed for his second term.
Meanwhile in Belvidere, Mayor Mike Chamberlain faces a challenger in Clint Morris. And in Freeport, incumbent Mayor Jodi Miller faces a Democratic challenger in Ronnie Bush.
ELECTION PREVIEW: Two Marks battle to leave theirs on 14th Ward, Rockford wrex.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wrex.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
O Shea s plan was also to focus law enforcement on capturing, prosecuting and convicting the city s most violent criminals. O Shea did not hesitate to work with the Rockford City Council to acquire more officers and resources.
That plan of engagement, beefing up the number of police officers, investing in police technology and focusing on the worst offenders, appeared effective until the pandemic struck during a tumultuous 2020.
Efforts to maintain and improve relationships ground to a halt in 2020 because of COVID-19. The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody led to contentious and at times violent clashes with protesters in Rockford. A violent gang battle claimed dozens of lives.
Winnebago County COVID vaccinations rising, positivity rate below 3% rrstar.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from rrstar.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.