CHICAGO – Illinois' statewide ballot for the November 3rd election will not only include making decisions as to the next president, vice-president and one U.S. senator, but every Illinois voter will be asked their opinion on a proposed amendment to the 1970 Illinois Constitution.
If no vote is made at the end of the ballot, the instructions on the ballot say, "The failure to vote this ballot may be the equivalent of a negative vote …" because three-fifths of those voting must approve the measure in order for it to pass.
But there's more on the ballots being sent out now. There's an explanation of the amendment. Such explanations are supposed to be objective.
That's not the case, early voters are saying. Indeed, the explanation is clearly supportive of the proposal, and only the most informed will recognize the slant the definition gives. From the ballot:
The proposed amendment grants the State authority to impose higher income tax rates on higher income levels, which is how the federal government and a majority of other states do it. The amendment would remove the portion of the Revenue Article of the Illinois Constitution that is sometimes referred to as the "flat tax," that requires all taxes on income to be at the same rate. The amendment does not itself change tax rates. It gives the State the ability to impose higher tax rates on those with higher income levels and lower income tax rates on those with middle or lower income levels. You are asked to decide whether the proposed amendment should become a part of the Illinois Constitution.
The voter is then asked: "For the proposed amendment of Section 3 of Article IX of the Illinois Constitution," and given the option of "Yes/Si" or "No."
