Kankakee County, IL – The primary elections in Kankakee County have drawn to a close with important races decided and a lower than expected voter turnout. With all 59 precincts reporting, only 16.61% (10,936) of the electorate cast their votes, highlighting a need for increased civic engagement.
In a decisive race for County Auditor, Republican Colton Ekhoff won the nomination with 67.09% of the votes over incumbent Jacob M. ‘Jake’ Lee. Ekhoff’s campaign, focused on transparency and accountability, resonated with voters, propelling him to a commanding victory. Meanwhile, in Saint Anne, a referendum to consolidate the current school districts and create a new optional elementary unit school district has passed by just 91 votes. A referendum in Grant Park to impose, non-home rule municipal retailers service occupations, and use tax failed to pass.
Despite the array of candidates and critical issues, the voter turnout issue casts a shadow on the democratic process. The figures suggest a disconnection between the electorate and the electoral process, warranting action from community leaders to bolster participation.
