Do Republicans have what it takes to control Congress? Will Democrats keep their hold on statewide offices?
Casting an uneducated vote, political scientists say, can be worse than not voting. It’s important for the electorate to be knowledgeable of the candidates that it attempts to put into office.
Otherwise everything is left up to chance. And there should be more to our elected leaders than the luck of a lottery.
So, with that it mind, The Community Word has put together some resources so our readers will be better informed before they hit the ballot box — whether that be at their respective polling places on Nov. 8 or if they mail in their ballot. Check it out here:

http://thecommunityword.com/online/blog/2022/10/10/community-word-election-primer-2022/

Mail-in voting is underway in Illinois. All requests for a vote by mail ballot must be received by Nov. 3.
The deadline for in-person vote by mail ballot requests is Nov. 7. Go to the Illinois State Board of Elections website for more information at elections.il.gov/electionoperations/votingbymail.aspx
Mid-term elections, which are the ones held two years after the presidential election, are usually seen as a referendum on the president. Historically, the opposing party picks up some seats in retaliation. So voters will have an eye on President Joe Biden when they fill out their ballots.
Not only that, but this November’s mid-term elections — moreso than usual — will decide which political party controls the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Democrats control Congress with 221 members. There are 212 Republicans in the House. The U.S. Senate is equally split with 50 senators from each party. The Democrats have the edge: Vice President Kamala Harris also presides as the president of the Senate so her vote would break any ties.
Will Democrats keep control of both branches of government?
Illinois is in play. Tammy Duckworth, the state’s junior senator, is running for re-election against Republican challenger Kathy Salvi. Locally, Republican Darin LaHood is up for re-election in the 16th District against Democrat Elizabeth Haderlein. That seat is seen as safe for LaHood. But the area’s other House seat in the 17th District is up for grabs after Democrat Cheri Bustos decided to step aside. Republican Esther Joy King is running again, this time against Democrat Eric Sorenson.
Statewide, Governor JB Pritzker is being challenged by Republican State Senator Darren Bailey. The offices of Attorney General, Comptroller and Treasurer — all currently held by Democrats — are on the ballot. And Democrat Alexi Giannoulias faces Republican Dan Brady to replace longtime Secretary of State Jesse White.