City of Chicago Advisory Question: Restart Gunshot Detection Technology That Informs First Responders
My vote power
High
Election date
November 3, 2026
City of Chicago Advisory Question: Restart Gunshot Detection Technology That Informs First Responders is a ballot measure in Chicago city, Illinois on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Asks Chicago voters, in a nonbinding poll, whether the city should restart a gunshot detection system that alerts first responders when shots are fired, after the city ended its ShotSpotter contract in 2024. A yes vote changes nothing by itself; any new contract would be paid from the city budget.
How do we calculate my vote power?
What determines the vote power rating for ballot measures: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. You have more power in ballot measures because you vote directly on the policy.
Representation: Above average · 57 out of 100
This district is a good deal smaller than its state, so each vote here carries more weight than a vote in a statewide race. About 2,711,226 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(12,694,798 ÷ 2,711,226) ÷ ln(50,000) = 57.13, measured against a statewide vote in IL (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Above average representation + a direct vote on the policy → My vote power: High.
What does this measure do?
Asks Chicago voters, in a nonbinding poll, whether the city should restart a gunshot detection system that alerts first responders when shots are fired, after the city ended its ShotSpotter contract in 2024. A yes vote changes nothing by itself; any new contract would be paid from the city budget.
A YES vote means
You tell city officials you want gunshot detection technology back; the city would still have to choose and fund a system.
A NO vote means
You tell city officials you do not want the technology restarted; nothing changes.
Sources: news.wttw.com · chicago.suntimes.com
Sources: chicago.councilmatic.org23
Last updated September 24, 2026.