Nov. 2, 2010 Illinois General Election Guide

Here’s the latest edition of my election guide that I put together for friends and family who may have questions about registering to vote, where to vote, how to pick judges, etc. There are no biased opinions here—just facts about where you can find more information about your ballot and how to vote in this election. Please feel free to share this with others—especially the ones you have a sneaking suspicion may be too shy to ask these questions! And please share with us any great resources you’ve found.

Thanks! Now get out and VOTE!

• What are we voting for in IL?
• Do I have to declare a political party preference?
• What will my ballot look like? Where do I go to vote?
• What time are the polls open?
• Can I still register to vote?
• What is early voting and where/when can I do it?
• In-person absentee voting
• Absentee voting by mail
• How do I know which judges to vote for?
• What kind of voting equipment will I use?
• What if I show up and they tell me I can’t vote?
• Know Your Rights
• Have more questions?

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What are we voting for in IL?

In the November 2, 2010 General Election, Cook County, IL voters will cast ballots that include:

• U.S. Senator
• U.S. Representatives
• Governor
• Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• State Comptroller
• State Treasurer
• State Senators (some)
• State Representatives
• Cook County Board President
• Cook County Commissioners
• Cook County Assessor
• Cook County Clerk
• Cook County Treasurer
• Cook County Sheriff
• Cook County Board of Review Commissioner (1st district)
• Appellate and Circuit Court Judges
• Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners (some)
• Regional Superintendent of Schools
• Various statewide, countywide and local referenda questions

If you live in another IL county, use the links provided below to find out which offices will appear on your ballot.

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Do I have to declare a political party preference?

No. Your ballot will include all parties’ candidates for each office.

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What will my ballot look like? Where do I go to vote?

Remember that you can print out your ballot, mark it up with your voting preferences, and take it into the voting booth with you. You do not have to vote on memory alone!

In suburban Cook County, you can see your exact ballot and polling place at the Cook County Clerk’s website.

In Chicago, go to ChicagoElections.com.

In other parts of IL, go to the IL State Board of Elections.

If you want to see what referenda might appear on your ballot, the IL State Board of Elections provides a handy Referenda Search. (It’s a bit clunky, so you’re better off just looking at your exact ballot using the links above.)

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What time are the polls open?

Polls are open from 6am to 7pm every Election Day.

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Can I still register to vote?

Yes. If you missed the standard October 5 voter registration deadline, IL offers a “Grace Period.” Through Tuesday, October 26, you may register to vote, update your address or file your name change.

Things to remember about Grace Period Registration & Voting:

• During the grace period, you must register in person—and then immediately vote during that same visit.
• Bring two forms of ID. Neither needs to be a photo ID, but one must include your current address. Acceptable forms of ID include: Illinois driver’s license, Illinois state ID, Employee or student ID, credit card, social security card, birth certificate, utility bill in your name, mail postmarked to you, valid U.S. passport, lease or rental contract
• Grace Period registrants vote on touch-screen machines immediately after registering.
• Grace period registrants are not eligible to vote at the polls on Election Day.

Cook County Locations for Grace Period Registration & Voting

• Chicago Election Board
  69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor
  Hours: Mon-Sat, 9 am-5 pm / Sun 9 am-3 pm
• Chicago State University
  9501 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
  Cordell Reed Student Union Bldg., 2nd Floor Cyber Café
  Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm
• University of Illinois at Chicago
  750 S. Halsted St.
  Student Center East, Lower Level
  Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm
• Northeastern Illinois University
  5500 N. St. Louis Ave.
  Building B – Room 153
  Hours: Mon-Fri, 9 am-5 pm
• North suburbs - Skokie
  5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149
  Skokie, IL 60077
  Call: (847) 470-7233
  Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Northwest suburbs - Rolling Meadows
  2121 Euclid Ave., Room 238
  Rolling Meadows, IL 60008
  Call: (847) 818-2850
  Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• West suburbs - Maywood
  1311 Maybrook Square, Room 109
  Maywood, IL 60153
  Call: (708) 865-6010
  Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• South suburbs - Markham
  16501 S. Kedzie
  Markham, IL 60426
  Call: (708) 232-4150
  Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Southwest suburbs - Bridgeview
  10220 S. 76th Ave.
  Bridgeview, IL 60455
  Call: (708) 974-6150
  Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For grace period info in other parts of IL, visit the State Board of Elections website.

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What is early voting and where/when can I do it?

Illinois voters have the option of voting before November 2. Early voting is open October 12-28, 2010. You do not need to provide an excuse or reason why you cannot make it to the polls on Election Day. You need only to fill out an application at the Early Voting site.

Things to remember about Early Voting:

• Bring a photo ID: a current driver’s license, state-issued ID card, or another government-issued ID with a photograph.
• Early Voting is conducted on touch-screen machines.
• After casting ballots in Early Voting, voters may not return to amend, change or undo a ballot for any reason. Ballots cast in Early Voting are final.

Chicago Early Voting Locations

Suburban Cook County Early Voting Locations

Early Voting Locations for Rest of Illinois

Most sites are open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm.

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In-person absentee voting

Any voter needing or wishing to vote by absentee in the final four days prior to the election may vote an in-person absentee ballot.

For the Nov. 2, 2010 General Election, in-person absentee voting will be conducted Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at each of the Cook County Clerk’s six office locations. The hours are as follows for all locations:

• Friday, October 29–9am to 5pm
• Saturday, October 30–9am to noon
• Sunday, October 31–9am to noon
• Monday, November 1–9am to 5pm

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Absentee voting by mail

Absentee voting by mail is a convenient way to cast your ballot if you are unable to get to your polling place on Election Day or to cast your ballot during Early Voting at a designated Early Voting site.

Any registered voter may apply for an absentee ballot. It is no longer necessary to provide a reason.

To obtain an absentee application, registered Cook County voters can:

• Download and print the application, or
• Call the County Clerk’s office at (312) 603-0946 or 312-269-7967 to request that they mail you an application, or
• Pick one up at any of the Clerk’s six office locations.

The last day to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot is five days before the election.

For more information:

Chicago

Suburban Cook County

Rest of Illinois

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How do I know which judges to vote for?

Voting for judges is important. It’s a big part of your ballot, but it doesn’t take a lot of extra work to figure out which ones to support.

In Cook County, go to VoteForJudges.org. Read through the home page and then go to the Evaluations page to get your guide. (The charts are toward the bottom of the page.)

I use this guide to help me pick judges every time I vote. I print out the PDF version, highlight the judges I will vote for, and take that with me into the voting booth.

In the rest of IL, check the Illinois State Bar Association’s evaluations. The ISBA is only one of the bar associations included in the VoteForJudges Cook County guide, but it’s the only current statewide guide I’ve been able to find. Please share others you know of!

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What kind of voting equipment will I use?

You may choose to use a paper ballot or an electronic touch-screen machine. Instructions should be posted at your polling place; you can also ask an election judge for assistance.

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What if I show up and they tell me I can’t vote?

If you believe you are registered to vote and are at the correct polling place, ask for a “provisional ballot.” The election judges must provide you with at least a provisional ballot. They cannot turn you away. If they deny you the right to vote, call your County Clerk’s office. (Take the phone number with you to your polling place just in case.)

Don’t be shy about this. You know from previous elections that people tamper with elections. You have every right to cast your ballot without interference or intimidation. And you have every right to tell your election authority to come out to your polling place if anyone gives you trouble.

There are more rules and regulations about provisional voting that you should read. Please visit the following for more info:

Chicago – Here and here (Read the provisional ballot sections on both pages)

Suburban Cook County (info also applies to Chicago residents)

Rest of Illinois [PDF]

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Know Your Rights

This is your Voter Bill of Rights. Read it – it’s important.

Voter Bill of Rights

1. Cast your ballot in a non-disruptive atmosphere free of interference.
2. Vote if you’re in line by 7pm.
3. Vote by provisional ballot if your registration is not found.
4. Vote a full ballot at your old polling place if you have moved within 30 days of the election.
5. Request voting assistance, if needed.
6. Bring newspaper endorsements or sample ballots into the voting booth.
7. Protect the secrecy of your ballot.
8. Receive a new ballot if you make a mistake or change your mind.
9. Review your ballot to ensure it’s complete and correct.
10. Have your ballot counted fairly and impartially.

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Have more questions?

Lastly, if you have any questions at all about this year’s elections, ASK ME in the comments section. Even if you don’t live in IL, I can help you find the answers to your questions. I would be very happy to help you.