MILWAUKEE — In a notable address on his final day as chair, Don Tracy criticized Illinois’ voting regulations, labeling them as lax and forecasting a continued push for stricter measures under his successor, Kathy Salvi. Tracy, a lawyer from Springfield, is departing after more than three years at the helm of the Illinois Republican Party, amid a period marked by significant electoral setbacks for the GOP.
During his tenure, Tracy instituted the role of a full-time election integrity director, striving to compensate for the dwindling influence of local GOP organizations at the county and township levels. Reflecting on his efforts, he emphasized the importance of Republicans and conservatives voting early to influence future elections and advocate for more stringent voting laws.
Tracy expressed concerns that the broadening of voting avenues under Democratic governance had introduced complexities for county clerics tasked with managing elections. Highlighting these issues, he reminisced about the days when elections were confined to a single day, rather than the extended periods now common.
A key incident cited by Tracy involved a contested election in the state’s 45th House District, where Republican Deanne Mazzochi challenged the methods used by DuPage County to verify mail-in ballot signatures against vote-by-mail applications, rather than the most recent voter registration records. Although a judge sided with this argument, Mazzochi was ultimately unsuccessful in her bid.
Further amplifying his concerns, Tracy pointed to the risks of expanding mail-in voting, suggesting it could potentially lead to abuses within the electoral system. He advocated for the institution of a voter identification law as a measure to counter these perceived threats.
Despite his critiques and calls for reform, Tracy assured Illinois residents that they could still trust the integrity of their elections. His mixed message underscores the ongoing debates around voting systems and election integrity that continue to resonate across the United States.
As the state looks towards future elections under new party leadership, Tracy’s remarks set the stage for a continuation of these discussions, both within Illinois and in broader national contexts. His tenure as chair concludes at a transformative period for the Illinois GOP, which faces the dual challenges of rebuilding its local structures and responding to evolving electoral processes.