October 14, 2004
Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice unveils voter
education website
Voteforjudges.org provides comprehensive evaluations
of individual judges

Chicago -- Today the Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice announced a website (www.voteforjudges.org) and education campaign aimed at providing information for voters on the upcoming Cook County judicial elections. Voters can find a compilation of information from a variety of sources about the qualifications of the judges and judicial candidates on the November 2nd ballot.

Research has shown that relatively few voters actually vote for judges. There is a dramatic difference in the number of voters for the positions at the top of the ballot and the number who vote for the judges at the end of the ballot. This initiative aims to counter that trend with voter education and outreach. In addition to the website, Chicago Appleseed Fund For Justice is working with community organizations around Cook County in an effort to educate voters on the upcoming judicial elections.

"Judges have an extraordinary impact on our daily lives, yet most voters know little about the judges and judicial candidates," said Malcolm Rich, executive director of Chicago Appleseed Fund For Justice. "They make a broad range of decisions, from the very personal child custody or divorce hearings to decisions involving health care or the environment. Voters should be aware of judges or candidates who may not be qualified".

Voteforjudges.org is a non-partisan group, supported by many non-profit community organizations dedicated to providing voter education for the upcoming judicial elections. Information on individuals running for judgeships or retention is gathered by lawyers and bar groups using interviews with the candidates themselves as well as examining their prior experience and temperament. Voteforjudges.org then provides that information in an easily accessible, user friendly format on the website. The website also includes links to sample ballots that can be printed and carried into the voting booth.

"It is our intention to ensure that the voters are well-informed regarding their judicial choices on November 2," said Rich "I encourage everyone to visit the website www.voteforjudges.org and to use this resource before heading to the polls.

Supporters of www.voteforjudges.org include Business and Professional People for the Public Interest, Center for Neighborhood Technology, the Democratic Party of Evanston, the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, the North Beverly Civic Association, and the University of Chicago Mandel Legal Aid Clinic.

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For more information contact:
Malcolm Rich
312.988.6552