Coyne perpetuates GOP lies about vote-by-mail integrity
I disagree with DuPage GOP Chairman Kevin Coyne’s assessment of the topic of election integrity in his letter to the editor published on Sunday, Nov. 30.
His statements that “voter confidence in the integrity of our elections is at an all-time low, and that DuPage voters don’t trust vote-by-mail” are not shared by the vast majority of all American voters. Mr. Coyne’s comment that “games are being played with mail-in-ballots” are not “abundantly clear,” as he claims. This belief or position is primarily held by members of the GOP.
The GOP sadly has become Donald Trump and he continues to maintain the lie, without evidence of course, that the 2020 election was stolen from him in large part because of mail-in-ballots, a position the GOP validates and promotes with ongoing false narratives on the process of handling, distribution, collection and counting of mail-in-ballots. Our elections have been and still are safe and secure.
Having said that, I would strongly advise the county clerk’s office, the League of Women Voters and the Democratic Party not to participate in or lend credit to any so called and completely unnecessary “public hearings” directed at mail-in-voting in particular. It is my fear that these hearings will be used to undermine and disrupt future elections. By implying there are irregularities that are being “investigated” to create doubt, the current administration will have an excuse to try to react with some type of intervention, possibly as extreme as voting machine impoundment, etc to take over ballot validation.
Mail-in-ballots are a critical and legitimate form of voting that enables many people who are unable to physically cast their ballot have their voices heard. This should not be surprising to anyone. Let’s protect the system.
Don Orchard, Naperville
Ordinary people have the power to make change happen
As politics becomes increasingly online, it’s easy to feel alone and powerless. But it was the power of ordinary citizens that facilitated Trump’s presidential run in 2016, and it’s the power of ordinary citizens that resist him in protests across the country today. Anyone can have power if they’re just willing to take it.
Power is formed by bringing people together for a common goal. If you’re an employee, connecting with your fellow workers on issues of workplace inequality or otherwise unfair work environments can lead to strikes that force positive change. If you’re unhappy with our current political climate, connect with other dissatisfied people to campaign for new policies or alternative political candidates.
Maybe you can’t reach ten thousand people, but what about 20? 10? Even finding one other person can snowball into a larger movement forming. Just starting with a few other people to solve small local issues can build power until you can make changes at a state or even national scale.
If building power through leadership isn’t for you, you can still contribute your power to a greater cause. Find organizations you agree with and support them. If you can’t afford to donate or volunteer for them, you can still share them with other people who may be interested. Social media and news sites are a solid place to find these groups, especially at a larger scale, but even local organizations have power that is worth investing in. Even if you aren’t comfortable starting a movement on your own, participating in an existing organization may give you the confidence, knowledge, and connections to start building something greater.
Lastly, there is power in being informed. If you want more information on power, Dennis Wrong has a book on its role in sociology and social theory, and Eric Liu has some great speeches on civic power that you can find on YouTube.
Also, pay attention to local and national news. You may find rallies or petitions by political organizations that are worth getting involved in, or social issues that are fighting for. Informing others about their power can also be powerful in its own right. Learning the language of power can help you recognize the influence of others while building your ability to bring about change.
Corey Budd, Plainfield
Naperville Central College student
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https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/12/letters-naperville-coyne-voting-power-change/