South Asian Progressive Action Collective » Illinois Elections

SAPAC General Meeting Feb. 27

SAPAC — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 03:49:30 +0000

We hope you can join us for our next general meeting!

Sunday, February 27
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Coffee Chicago, 5256 N. Broadway (off the Red Line/Berwyn)
RSVP on Facebook or by emailing info@sapac.org.

Come and contribute to our two hot topics of discussion:

Voices of Resistance 10: This year will commemorate 10 years of our annual VOR event, an inspiring evening of local South Asian art! Now that we have a venue & date for next year’s VOR10, we are in the process of crafting an artist application/call to share with all. We will also discuss our outreach strategy and specific ways for folks to get involved!

Mayoral/50th Ward Elections Work: We will recap our current voter mobilization work for the Feb. 22 Municipal Election.

In the meantime there is still time to get involved! The Asian American Institute, along with SAPAC and a number of community organizations, is mobilizing the entire pan-Asian community throughout Chicago to come out in HUGE numbers to vote on Feb. 22. Here’s how you can contribute now:

We need to reach out to at least a 1,000 infrequent registered voters in the 50th Ward before Election Day. We’ll be meeting at the Indo American Center, 6328 N. California Ave., on the following days in 2-hour shifts to do door-to-door canvassing and phone calling in the 50th Ward. We’ll provide you with training, maps, flyers, refreshments and community service hours. UPDATED 2/6:

Sat., Feb. 5: 10:00am – 12:00pm, 12:15pm – 2:15pm, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Wed., Feb. 9: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave. (corner of Troy and Devon)
Fri., Feb. 11: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave. (corner of Troy and Devon)

Sat., Feb. 12: 10:00am – 12:00pm, 12:15pm – 2:15pm, 2:30pm – 4:30pm
Wed., Feb. 16: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave. (corner of Troy and Devon)
Fri., Feb. 18: 5:00pm – 7:00pm. Meet at Dunkin Donuts, 3132 W. Devon Ave. (corner of Troy and Devon)

Sat., Feb. 19 and Sun., Feb. 20: 10:00am – 5:00pm. 2-3-hour shifts available. Meet at Indo-American Center. During these 48 hours, we’re going to reconnect with voters who’ve already heard from us through phone banking and door canvassing to confirm if they have already voted or have plans to vote on Feb. 22.

If you’re interested in volunteering on any of these days and being part of a historic election, email aisha.qidwae@gmail.com.

SAPAC General Meeting Jan. 23

SAPAC — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 23:58:34 +0000

Join us at SAPAC’s first meeting of the year!

Where: Coffee Chicago
5256 N. Broadway, off the Red Line/Berwyn

When: 2:00-4:00pm
Learn how you can become involved with and share your ideas about our current focuses:

* Voices of Resistance – This year is our 10th anniversary, and we want to raise the connection between our politics and art, foster more collaboration, and dream even bigger!

* Mayoral/50th Ward elections – We want to get out the vote in our communities and support platforms to get our communities voices heard!

RSVP on Facebook or by emailing info@sapac.org.

You Want a Voice? Vote!

Guest Blogger — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 18:31:36 +0000

Guest blogger Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow is the Community Organizer at Asian American Institute. Born in Korea and raised in India, she now enjoys working with various Asian American communities in Chicago.

You want a voice? Vote!

The other day while I was sipping a hot masala tea at a sweet shop on Devon I overheard a conversation about voting. What surprised me was not the content of the conversation but the fact that I still remembered enough Hindi from my childhood in India to understand what they were saying! Unfortunately the content of the conversation was far too familiar.

“Are you voting next week?”

“Oh, it’s election again? No, what’s the point?”

“Yeah, I know, it doesn’t make much of a difference, whether you vote or not.”

“That’s what I mean. Brother, your time is better spent somewhere else.”

Haven’t we all heard this conversation, or even participated in this conversation at some point?

The truth is, it may seem that it doesn’t matter, but it does. I’d like to introduce to you the “Cockroach Effect” (sorry for the nasty visual here). When you discover one little cockroach in the cabinet underneath your sink, you probably freak out for a second but then find Raid or a paper towel or something and just kill it. Unless you have an exceptional fear of roaches, you’ll probably forget about the incident and not think much about it.

But let’s say you opened up your cabinet under your kitchen sink and you saw hundreds if not thousands of roaches crawling around! The first thing I’d think is, “Yikes, I should’ve written down that phone number from the Orkin commercial!” And then I’d frantically Google “Orkin” and get a terminator out to my house.

In some ways politics works the same way. Yes, if one Indian American living on Devon decided to vote, no one may notice. Not the elected officials, not the candidates running, not the media, NO ONE. But if ALL the Asian Americans living in the 50^th Ward voted and had a historic turnout for November 2^nd, people would notice.

We need to work to create the Cockroach Effect! We need everyone to vote and get others out to vote.

If Asian Americans want to have a voice, get recognition, and bring resources to our community, we must vote, and get our people out to vote!

Please consider volunteering with the Asian American Institute for this weekend and Election Day in the 50^th Ward to make history by turning out the highest number of Asian American voters for a midterm election!

Please email Brandon@aaichicago.org for more information or call him at 773.271.0899 x200.

Commit to vote!

Nov. 2, 2010 Illinois General Election Guide

Ramona — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 22:24:16 +0000

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?

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.

Do I have to declare a political party preference?

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

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.)

What time are the polls open?

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

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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.

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]

Know Your Rights

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

Voter Bill of Rights

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

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.

Today Is the Last Day to Register to Vote in IL

Ramona — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 05:17:01 +0000

Tuesday, October 5 is the Illinois deadline to register to vote or update your voter information for the November 2 General Election!

Chicago Voter Registration Info

Suburban Cook County Voter Registration Info (outside Chicago)

Illinois Voter Registration Info (all other areas outside Cook County)

Seats up for grabs in this election include

Senator
Representatives
Governor
Lt. Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
Comptroller
Treasurer
State Representatives
Cook County Board President
A slew of judges
And a whole lot more.

It’s an important election, so make sure you’re registered!

If you have any questions about voter registration anywhere in the U.S., please email us at info@sapac.org. We’re happy to help and will respond ASAP.

SAPAC will be sharing more election information in the coming weeks, so stay tuned to our website.

2010 Illinois Primary Election Guide

Ramona — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 06:39:19 +0000

Every election cycle, I have friends that ask me questions about registering to vote, where to vote, how to pick judges, etc. I put together some information for IL voters that I hope you will find helpful. 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 — esp. the ones you have a sneaking suspicion may be too shy to ask these questions! And please share any great resources you’ve found.

Thanks! Now get out and VOTE!

-Ramona

Can I still register to vote?

No. Regular voter registration ended Jan. 5 (the standard one month prior to an election), and grace period registration ended Jan. 26.

You should register to vote after this primary election so that you can vote in the regular election on Nov. 2.

What are we voting for in IL?

In the February 2, 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election, 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
Democratic, Republican & Green Party Township Committeemen
Various statewide, countywide and local referenda questions

Do I have to declare a political party preference?

Yes. In primary elections, you will be asked which political party’s ballot you would like to vote.

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.

What time are the polls open?

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

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

Early voting ended Jan. 28. However, you can cast an in-person absentee ballot from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1. For more info, go to the Cook County Clerk’s website.

How do I get an absentee ballot?

Jan. 28 was the last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot.

The options available to you now are to cast an in-person absentee ballot (see above) or to vote in person, at your polling place, on Feb. 2.

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.

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.

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.

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

Don’t be shy about this. You know from previous elections and even reports from this year 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 get their butts out to your polling place if anyone gives you trouble.

Know Your Rights

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

Voter Bill of Rights

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

Have more questions?

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