March 25, 2011 – Of Chicago’s 50 wards, the mostly north-of-the-Loop neighborhoods of the 42nd Ward cast the third-most ballots in the February 22 election.

According to “certified” results released recently by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, 18,900 ballots were cast, giving the ward a 44.4 percent voter turnout, higher than the citywide average of 42.3 percent.

Only the 19th and 41st wards cast more ballots. The 19th Ward, southeast of the Loop, not only had the most ballots, 32,136, but it had by far the highest turnout, 74.7 percent.

Although the 42nd Ward has the most registered voters – 42,568 – its turnout in February was 19th out of the 50 wards. The lowest turnout was in the 16th Ward, south of the Loop, with only 29.2 percent of its registered voters actually voting.

On the ballot for the February 22 Municipal General Election were candidates for mayor, city clerk, city treasurer, and all 50 aldermen.

Table of votes by ward Sorted by registered voters Sorted by ballots cast Sorted by turnout