By the numbers: Chicago’s 2015 elections

By Laura Furr & Emily Hoerner

Updated 4:30 p.m. 2/25/15

Hours after the polls closed, unofficial summary data from the Chicago Board of Elections show new lows in voter turnout, with many races left unanswered.

The polling results show that fewer voters turned out in the chilly February weather than in the last decade, at only 32.7 percent of registered voters voting.


Election Graph


Across the city’s 50 wards, voter turnout peaked at 50.7 percent in the 19th Ward on the far South Side. The lowest voter turnout was in the 30th Ward, at 18.1 percent, where the alderman was running uncontested.

While Mayor Rahm Emanuel won a greater majority votes the North East and South sides of Chicago, he feel short of the 50 percent threshold necessary for victory in 26 wards. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia garnered more than 50 percent support in eight North West and South West side wards.

Tuesday’s election led to several unknowns. Along with incumbent Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s race with Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, 20 aldermanic races will head to a runoff in April. Only three wards saw a new candidate upset an incumbent.

Continue to check back at Medill Reports for more data analysis and election coverage as the city prepares for a runoff election in April.

Photo at top: (Alysha Khan/Medill)