The Nov. 3 general election is quickly approaching. Here’s what you need to know about upcoming deadlines, voting options, dates and locations of early voting and how to sign up to work the polls.
Who’s on the ballot
The ballot will include candidates for president, U.S Congress and Cook County state’s attorney, among many other state and county races. Full sample ballots for each individual can be found on the Cook County Clerk’s website.
Registration
Voter registration can be completed online, in person or via paper mail. Online registration will remain open until Oct. 18 on the State Board of Elections website.
Those registering in person need to do so by Oct. 6. This can be done at a Cook County clerk’s office, one of which is located in Skokie, at an Illinois Secretary of State’s driver services facility, including two in Des Plaines in Deerfield, or with a village clerk or trained deputy registrar.
People registering to vote by mail need to complete the application and mail it to the Cook County Clerk’s office, postmarked by Oct. 6, according to county officials.
Grace period registration and voting extends the registration period to allow voters to register and vote at the same time at certain locations starting Oct. 7. It will also be available at Northbrook and Glenview village halls starting Oct. 19.
Those wishing to register and vote during this grace period must bring two forms of ID, one of which must include a current address, and must vote immediately after registering.
Voting by mail, voting early, voting on Election Day
Ballots can be cast via mail or in person. Select locations in the county will begin early voting on Oct. 7. Additional locations, including those in Northbrook and Glenview, will be open to early voters beginning Oct. 19.
Northbrook Village Hall, 1225 Cedar Lane, and Glenview Village Hall, 2500 East Lake Avenue, will both be open for early voting from Oct. 19 through Nov. 2 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to officials, IDs are not required at the poll unless the voter is using same-day registration and voting but can be helpful if any questions arise.
Those voting by mail are encouraged to both apply and mail back their completed ballots as early as possible. The final day a mail-in ballot can be postmarked is Nov. 3. For the first time ever, secure drop boxes will also be available at early voting locations around the county, including Northbrook and Glenview village halls, for voters to turn in their mail-in ballots.
Election Day is Nov. 3. Registered voters can only vote in their assigned polling location that day. Assigned polling locations can be found on the Cook County Clerk’s website.
Poll workers
County officials have also been looking for community members to serve as election judges and polling place technicians, particularly young people to take the place of older judges who may be unavailable due to the coronavirus pandemic. Election judges ensure the polling places are running smoothly. Polling place technicians help the election judges to help voters, as well as set up and maintain voting equipment.
Due to outreach efforts, more than 13,000 people have said they’d like to work Election Day, according to Jaime DeLeon of the Cook County Clerk’s office. DeLeon said most of those who signed up are new election judges compared to those returning, and a majority of the new judges are young people.
More information about the roles, the pay and the required trainings for each position can be found on the Cook County Clerk’s website at cookcountyclerk.com.
kedquist@chicagotribune.com
Twitter: @kaitlinedquist
