No Excuses: Easy to Register, Vote in Illinois

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Published on January 28 2020 10:12 am
Last Updated on January 28 2020 10:14 am

BY KAY SHIPMAN, Farm Week

Eligible Illinoisans enjoy many options and plenty of reasons to vote early in the March 17 primary.
 
Just in time, Illinois settled on Jan. 23 uncertainty about the state’s Democratic presidential ballot after an objection about candidate Michael Bloomberg was withdrawn.
 
Early voting starts Feb. 6 and ends March 16.
 
In Illinois, eligible residents must be at least 18 and have lived in their precinct at least 30 days before the Election Day. Seventeen-year-olds may register and vote in the primary only if they will turn 18 on or before the day of the General Election.
 
To register online, an individual must supply an Illinois driver’s license or state identification number, the date the license or identification was issued, birthdate and the last four numbers of his or her Social Security number. For the primary, online voter registration closes at 11:59 p.m. March 1.
 
Individuals also may register at a local election authority office. Contact those authorities for location and business hours.
 
Illinois also offers motor voter register for people getting or renewing a traditional driver’s license by phone or mail. People not registered in Illinois may answer “yes” to a voter question on the license application and receive a registration packet by mail.
 
If you renew your license online, you may register to vote and receive a registration packet by mail or visit the state Board of Elections online voter registration site.
 
Illinois offers options for voting early in the office of a local election authority and temporary locations. Check with local authorities for polling places and early voting hours.
 
Grace period registration and voting starts Feb. 18 and ends March 16. Once registered during the grace period, a voter casts a ballot at the election authority’s office or a specifically designated location.
 
Residents may also request to vote by absentee ballot by applying to the election authority in the jurisdiction where they’re registered.
 
Given the expected heavy turnout, some local election authorities have trouble finding enough judges for each polling place. Election judges receive training that is “pretty basic.” Interested individuals, including eligible high school students, should contact their local election authorities for information.