2020 Local School Council Elections: An Analysis

Surveys from voters in the 2020 Local School Elections, plus feedback from election-day hotline queries and a post-election debriefing involving community members, found that expanded voting options, including mail-in and curbside voting, were successful and should be retained for future elections.

An analysis by Raise Your Hand and Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights concluded that “across the board, there was consensus that expanded access to mail-in, curbside and in-person voting options should remain the norm for future elections.

"Parents across the district consistently said that with proper and adequate oversight, clear communication and consistent training, multiple avenues for voting are necessary to welcome full access to the ballot box. We urge CPS to adopt these community-informed recommendations and best practices for the next LSC Election in 2022 and beyond.”

The groups’ recommendations include improved communication and outreach, improved mail-in and curbside voting operations, increased training and oversight for election judges and overall election procedures, as well as greater transparency in election procedures and candidate information.