percent between 1992 and 2016. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)
By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois landed in the top half of a list of the most politically engaged states in the
country.
The survey was done by SmartAsset, a financial technology company aiming to
provide personal finance advice. The report looked at voter turnout, registration rates and
donation data.
Illinois is listed in 17th place, in a tie with both Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.
“The state actually stands out when it comes to political donations,” said AJ Smith, vice
president of financial education with SmartAsset. “That means it represents a large
amount of both per-person and as a percentage of the local median income.”
Despite the top marks in those categories, there’s still work to be done elsewhere.
“Coming in the middle for both voter turnout and voter registration means there’s room
for improvement,” Smith said. “Higher voter registration, higher voter turnout would
certainly help Illinois move up the list.”
Illinois’ voter registration rate in 2018 was 62.4%.
Nationwide, the percentage of Americans who gave money to a political candidate
doubled from 6% in 1992 to 12% in 2016.
“People are choosing to use some of their money, some of their savings, what could be
going to other financial goals, and they’re using it to support political candidates,” Smith
said.
The average donation amounts varied from $4 per person in South Carolina to about $68
per person in Nevada. In Illinois, the average donation per person in 2018 was $21.47.
“I think if people are looking for a way to have their say and they’re already voting,
they’re already engaged that way, they feel like it’s another path for them to be a
participant in the outcome of political races,” Smith said. “Certainly more people are
doing that.”
Smith said he hoped the report would inspire others to get further involved in the political process.
“When it comes to your finances, they’re impacted by who is representing you in the
government,” Smith said. “We just hope this gets people thinking about how they can
have a say. And maybe looking into how does who is representing me impact my wallet.
Maybe they’re not as aware that those decisions can matter when it comes to your own
personal budget.”
Maine, Montana, and Wisconsin topped the list of politically engaged states, while
Hawaii ranked at the bottom.
Illinois Radio Network can be reached at News@WJBC.com.
