People often ask us how they should vote, especially on judges and referenda. Here are my recommendations, with the candidate's ballot position.

STATEWIDE OFFICES
Vote for all the Democratic candidates:
Richard J. Durbin (1) Pat Quinn and Paul Vallas (7) Lisa Madigan (14) Jesse White (19) Sheila Simon (24) Michael W. Frerichs (29)

LOCAL RACES
State Senator: no vote

U.S Representative, 6th District: Michael Mason (34)

U.S. Representative, 8th District:Tammy Duckworth (34)

State Representative, 54th Legislative District: Laddi K. Singh (40)

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners: Cynthia M. Santos (45), Frank Avila (46), Timothy ("Tim") Bradford (47)

COUNTY OFFICES
There are no candidates running against the Democratic slate. I urge you to vote for Toni Preckwinkle, David Orr, and the rest of the Democratic candidates for county office (55-59).

REFERENDA
Vote "yes" on all seven referenda. Two would amend the Illinois Constitution; three are statewide advisory referenda, and two are countywide advisory referenda. They all deserve your support. To learn more, go to http://www.gpadems.org/referenda/.

JUDICIAL ELECTIONS
All of the countywide judicial elections are uncontested, so it doesn't matter whether or not you vote. If James L. Kaplan's name is in ballot position 79, vote for him. You may or may not be in his subcircuit.

JUDICIAL RETENTION
Vote "no" on Annie O'Donnell (335). The rest of the judges are at least qualified for retention, and in some cases highly qualified. You can vote "yes" or not vote.

For judicial elections and retention, I rely on the recommendations of the Chicago Council of Lawyers. To read their recommendations or to print out their sample ballot, go to http://www.chicagocouncil.org/2014-judicial-evaluations/.