Voters in Chicago Get Two Elections on Nov. 2

On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 2 here in Chicago, I get to vote twice for the same office. And, it's completely legal.

Yes, there are actually two races in Illinois for the same office. Chicago residents like me are trying to make decisions, along with people across the state, on two totally separate races that happen to be for the same office. Confused? I'll admit, I was too.

I wasn't alone. It is a unique set of circumstances that Chicagoans, add to that, voters all over the state find themselves in. Obama apparently has time left on his term since resigning from the Illinois Senate and taking over as Commander-in-Chief in the White House. Keep reading and follow along.

I will cast one vote for a candidate to fulfill the remaining time. The candidate will occupy President Obama's seat. When the term is up, in less than eight weeks, the candidate leaves Springfield.

The elected candidate will sort of fill in for the rest of the year, replacing Roland Burris. He was mixed up with Rod Blagojevich's scandal about Obama's Senate seat, but we'll talk about that a little later.

I also have an opportunity to cast my vote again. This time to select someone to serve a full six-year term that commences in January.

Up until yesterday here in my town of Chicago, we were looking at two candidates: Alexi Giannoulias, a Democrat and presently the State Treasurer, (he defeated Christine Radogno in 2006), and Congressman Mark Kirk, presently serving in the House of Representatives. Kirk represents Illinois' 10th Congressional District, a nice northern slice of the Chicago burbs.

Kirk's district goes from Waukegan, from the north to Mount Prospect, Glenview, and Wilmette, south; Palantine and Rolling Meadows to the west.

A new candidate emerged on Sept. 1, tossing her apron into the race for the Senate.

Ina Pinkney, a local restaurant owner, has announced her intention to run for one of the two races. She will be a write-in candidate for the court-ordered election to fill President Obama's seat, replacing U.S. Sen. Roland Burris.

The well-known "Breakfast Queen" may be going to Washington soon. Check out her campaign slogan: "You trusted her to feed you, maybe you can trust her to lead you." Pretty snazzy, Ms. Pinkney. It has a nice ring to it.

The seat Pinkney is campaigning to capture is filled with dramatics that are good enough for a Hollywood screenplay. It started off great when Obama was elected president in November, 2008. Then, things went south and took a sudden turn for the worse when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich selected Burris to finish out President Obama's Senate term.

However, Blagojevich was charged and arrested for allegedly putting the appointment up for sale to the highest bidder. Ultimately, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of the people of Illinois. Instead, voters get the opportunity to decide who will complete President Obama's term. The state saves money by holding both elections simultaneously and hopefully, everybody is happy.

Voters like myself are getting information, educating ourselves on this unique election situation. It's really like a soap opera because in order to understand why we are even having a double election you have to go through the whole sordid history on Blagojevich, plus the messy scandal. (View videos here , here and here).

Actually, I am looking forward to being a part of history with this special ballot. In all the years I have voted, this will be a first for me. A double election. I will join with all the other Chicagoans and voters in my state to select not one, but two worthy candidates to fill one position. One will be a temporary appointment. One will do six years.

May the best man, er, person, (sorry, Ms. Pinkney), win!

Sources

cbs2chicago.com, suntimes.com, YouTube.com