Voting Information
VOTER REGISTRATION EXTENDED
SPRINGFIELD, IL OCT 10,2006— A new state law creates a ‘grace period" for people to register to vote later than normal, but people who take advantage of the late registration opportunity are limited to the way they can vote.
After the normal registration period closes– 28days prior to the election–individuals may register in–person at the office of their election authority. The "grace period" for registering to vote is the 27th to the 14th day prior to election.
For the Nov 7. General election, the "grace period" for voter registration is 11-24th.
Furthermore, people who register to vote during this two-week grace period must vote in the office of the election authority to vote absentee by mail. There are 110 election authorities in Illinois, most of them county clerks, and the others boards established by larger cities.
A survey of election authorities by the State Board of Elections shows that 2,367 people voted after registering to vote during the ‘grace period" for the March primary election, the first such time for "grace period" registration.
The people who register during the "grace period" do not go to their polling place on Election Day, nor are they allowed to vote under the new Illinois law that established early voting centers.
Under the new early voting law, Illinois voters can cast a ballot prior to Election Day without having to provide a reason or an excuse for wanting to vote early. Election authorities across the state will identify locations and announce where registered voters can vote early. For the general election
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Who can vote early or by absentee votingAny properly registered voter may vote Early or by Absentee voting.* You can vote by mail or in person before the primary or general electionFollowing are the instructions for both. Absentee voting is managed by your local election authority. We have provided their contact information at the end of this document.To vote absentee by mail you must apply for a ballot with your local election authority. Depending on your county, you will either fill out a form/application. You can apply for an absentee ballot by mail or in-person at the local election authority office. Contact your local election authority (County Clerks Ofc) to determine how to apply for an absentee ballot. A list with their contact information is provided at the end of this document.General Election (November 7th, 2006)You may apply for an absentee ballot beginning September 28, 2006. All mailed applications must be received by November 2, 2006You may vote early in person at your local election authority officeGeneral Election (November 7th, 2006)You may vote early in person from October 16th, 2006 through November 2nd, 2006If you have any questions about absentee you should call the County Clerk Ofc at 618-748-9360.Voters ResponsibilityThe voter is solely responsible for complying with any and all election laws and voting requirements. . We recommend calling your local election authority to confirm the availability of ballots and their office hours.
Questions;
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. We recommend that you apply for your ballot as EARLY AS POSSIBLE to allow enough time to process your application.In Early voting, no reason or excuse is needed. Voting must be done in-person at, a place designated by the election authority.
To vote absentee by mail you must have a valid REASON why you will not be able to be present at the polls on election day. You must meet one of the following criteria:
Expecting to be absent from their county of residence on election day;
Registered voters appointed to be judges of election on a precinct different from where they reside
Registered voters unable to be present at the polls because of a physical incapacity;
Registered voters who are students temporarily absent from their county of residence;
Registered voters observing a religious holiday and unable to be present at the polls because of tenets of their religion;
Registered voters who because of election duties on the office of the States Attorney, County Clerk, a board of election commissioners or State board of Elections will be unable to be present at the polls;
Registered voters who are serving sequestered jurors on a state of federal jury only;
Registered or non-registered members of a religious groups, welfare agencies as well as their spouses and dependants who are officially attached to or assisting members of the armed forces who expect to be absent from the county on which they reside on Election Day;
State or Federal employees who had a voting residence in the precinct at the time they entered employment, but who now reside elsewhere due to state or federal employment;
A registered citizen temporarily residing overseas may vote by absentee ballot;
Any citizen residing outside of the country, not registered to vote but qualifies to vote in a federal election, may vote by absentee ballot for federal offices only;
A qualified voter who has been admitted to a hospital, a nursing home or rehabilitation center not more than 5 days before an election shall be entitled to personal delivery of an absentee ballot;
Confinement or detention in a jail pending acquittal or conviction of a crime is not a disqualification for voting by mail or in person;