An Unfair & Invalid Election

On Wednesday, March 18, Albany Park turned out to vote in a number of local school council (LSC) elections. Volunteers with Unite For Our Schools — Albany Park hit the streets with literature, advocacy and neighborly conversation. Unfortunately, this positive action was met with electioneering and voter intimidation at North River Elementary’s polling location.

Antidemocratic Attacks & Voter Suppression

Though parents, teachers and community members are all eligible to participate in their area’s LSC elections, North River Principal Jaime Sanchez stood by the front door of the school nearly the entire day, seeking to deter undesirable voters.

“We were approached by a gentleman inside the door asking if we were there to pick up report cards. When we said no, we were there to vote for the LSC elections, he changed his demeanor and started lecturing us about what was best for his school,” recalled community member Maegan Rodovich. “I was still able to cast my ballot, but I couldn’t help but think that his actions could intimidate other neighbors into not voting at all.”

Sanchez targeted two college students who came in separately. One recalled that, as he left the voting area, Sanchez called after him, “Thanks for voting for North River — at least I hope it was for North River.” The principal asked the other student whether he was there to vote for North River or Haugan Elementary, as if either of these two entities were on the ballot. As if community members are not allowed to vote in all elections that occur in their neighborhoods.

To these neighbors, Sanchez’s intent was clear. “There was an element of guilt,” said Hannah Bonifacius, who lives near the school. “He was trying to convey that if we were from another school and not North River, or if we were not voting for representatives who solely cared about North River School, he didn’t want us there.”

Sanchez repeatedly harassed poll watchers, who are on premises to ensure fairness and voting access. At one point, he used the loudspeaker to thank parents for voting and said he was “hopeful” about the outcome of the election. One former school teacher told poll watchers that Sanchez’s behavior was so hostile and aggressive that she felt a new election should be held.

There is also evidence that school officials told parents how to cast their ballots, which is a clear violation of LSC election rules. Halfway through the day, Chicago Public Schools even sent an observer to North River to monitor the situation. But by then it was too late. Who knows how many voters walked into the building, only to be intimidated against exercising their right to vote?

Here at UFOS-AP, we intend to find out. We’ve already begun gathering witness testimony and evidence of electioneering. We’ve presented our initial findings to the Chicago Board of Education and filed Freedom of Information Act requests. We will be contesting this election and demanding a new one that is fair and free of intimidation.

That’s because, in Albany Park, we still believe in democracy. We still believe every voice counts. And we’re going to fight to make that happen.

How You Can Help

We’re taking action, but we need all the support we can get. Here’s what you can do:

• If you experienced, observed or heard about any election interference at North River on Wednesday, please email our director of communications, Meg White at meghanhwhite@gmail.com, as soon as possible. You may remain anonymous and/or submit your testimony in Spanish.
• If your children attend North River Elementary, please get in touch. We know there are sides to this story we’re not hearing. Sadly, school officials have created multiple barriers to open communication. But UFOS-AP operates from a mindset of abundance, knowing there are enough resources to serve all the students of Albany Park in an equitable way. And we want to elevate your voice in this conversation.
• Even if you don’t have any information to impart, your network might! Please share this post via direct messages, email and social media. Encourage your friends and family to share their stories with us and join the fight for equitable neighborhood schools in Albany Park.

Thank you for your continued support and attention to equity in our fair city. We’re not even close to giving up, but we can’t win without our neighbors.