In Waukegan, Illinois, the local Democratic club is taking matters into its own hands by hosting postcard-writing events and creating homemade signs to support political candidates in neighboring Wisconsin. This grassroots effort reflects the challenges faced by communities outside of swing states like Illinois, where presidential campaigns tend to divert their focus. The Electoral College system’s impact on campaign strategies often sidelines areas like Waukegan, leading to feelings of neglect and disenfranchisement among residents.
Despite Waukegan’s diverse population and industrial past, the city struggles with economic hardships, environmental issues, and insufficient attention from national political figures. Many residents feel marginalized and overlooked, as evidenced by the contrast with nearby cities like Racine, Wisconsin, which receive more campaign visits and investment.
Local leaders and residents in Waukegan emphasize the community’s resilience and self-reliance in the face of neglect from higher levels of government. While political attention remains limited, residents continue to address local challenges and advocate for their voices to be heard.
In essence, Waukegan embodies a sense of resilience and self-sufficiency, with its residents stepping up to support one another in the absence of broader recognition and support from political candidates and campaigns.
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Associated Press multimedia journalist Kevin S. Vineys in Washington contributed to this report.
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