Election & Voter Information

GENERAL ELECTION  -  November 2, 2010

Voter Registration, Grace Period, Early Voting and Absentee Voting

The following offices are up for election on November 2, 2010

VOTER REGISTRATION ENDS OCTOBER 5, 2010

The last day to register to vote for the November 2, 2010 General Election is October 5, 2010. The Village Clerk's office will register voters during our regular business hours:  Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Individuals may register anywhere in the State of Illinois that offers voter registration (i.e.  Village/City Halls, Township Halls, County Offices).

Two forms of identification are required, showing the applicant's name and current address (i.e.  driver's license, checkbook, piece of mail, utility bill, etc.).

Voter registration will re-open two days after the election on Thursday, November 4, 2010

To confirm that you are a registered voter, please call the Cook County Clerk's office automated number at (312) 603-0906 or you may visit their website at www.cookcountyclerk.com

GRACE PERIOD REGISTRATION AND VOTING

(ONLY AT COOK COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE, 69 W. WASHINGTON ST., CHICAGO)

OCTOBER 6, 2010 THROUGH OCTOBER 26, 2010

There is only one way to register to vote during the 14-day grace period. Unregistered voters must register to vote, in person, at the Cook County Clerk's downtown Chicago office: 69 W. Washington St., Room 500 or at one of the five suburban courthouses.   You must show two pieces of identification to register.

Grace-period voters must vote absentee. You can: 1) vote in person at the Cook County Clerk's downtown office immediately after registering to vote; or 2) receive an absentee ballot by mail that you can complete at home and return to the Cook County Clerk's office before Election Day.

Grace-period registrants are not allowed to vote at the polls on Election Day or vote at any early voting site.

EARLY VOTING (no excuse or reason needed)

Registered voters in suburban Cook County can vote early from Tuesday, October 12, 2010 through Thursday, October 28, 2010. Suburban voters have a choice of dozens of early voting sites around suburban Cook County, as well as downtown Chicago.   The Village of Palatine, 200 E. Wood Street, is one of the Early Voting sites.   The hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Saturday (October 16th & 23rd) from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.  Early voting will be conducted on touch screens that store every ballot style in the county, permitting any voter in suburban Cook to vote at any location.    Early Voters must show a current government-issued photo ID (Illinois Driver’s license, a State ID, or a Passport) to vote early. For a complete listing of early voting sites visit www.cookcountyclerk.com.

IN-PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING

In-Person Absentee Voting will take place on Friday, October 29 (9am to 5 pm), Saturday October 30th (9am to noon), Sunday, October 31st (9am to noon) and Monday, November 1, 2010, at the Cook County Clerk’s five suburban courthouses and their downtown office.  For further details visit www.cookcountyclerk.com. 

MAIL IN ABSENTEE VOTING

       Any registered suburban Cook County voter may apply for an absentee ballot. It is no longer necessary to provide a reason, according to a new 
       Illinois law. To download an application for an Absentee Ballot, visit www.cookcountyclerk.com.  

ARE YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE?  HAVE YOU MOVED OR CHANGED YOUR NAME?

The Village Clerk’s office can help you.  We register voters during our regular business hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

What types of I.D. do I need to register to vote? 

Two forms of identification are required showing the applicant’s name and current address (i.e. driver’s license, checkbook, piece of mail, utility bill, etc.).

How do I know if I'm registered to vote?

 You can check your voting eligibility by calling the Cook County Clerk’s automated number at (312)603-0906 or visit online at www.cookcountyclerk.com

If you have questions about your voting status, please e-mail voterreg@cookcountygov.com or call the Cook County Clerk’s Office at (312) 603-0906.
 

When to re-register

Your registration is permanent unless you move or change your name.
 

Address Changes

If you have moved within suburban Cook County, you must transfer your registration by re-registering.  You may choose to write your new address on the back of your voter identification card and mail it to:  Cook County Clerk’s Office, 69 W. Washington St., Suite 500, Chicago, IL  60602  (312)603-0906

If you move to an address outside suburban Cook County, you must re-register with the local election authority or county clerk.
 

Name changes

Voters who legally change their name no longer have to re-register.  If you have changed your name, you can vote after updating your information at the polls.

Where can I register to vote?

To register to vote, you must be:

1.      A U.S. Citizen

2.      At least 18 years old by Election Day

3.      A resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to an election.

You may register to vote in person anywhere in the State of Illinois that offers voter registration (i.e. Village/City Halls, Township Halls, County Offices). 

You may also register to vote through the mail by downloading a voter registration application at www.cookcountyclerk.com.  Federal law requires first-time voters who register by mail to vote in person the first time they vote (at the polls on Election Day or at an early voting site). You cannot vote absentee by mail.

Other near by Locations to Register:

Rolling Meadows Courthouse, Room 238 (Clerk's Office), Rolling Meadows
M, T, TH, F      8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wed.               8:30 am – 7:00 pm

Palatine Township, 721 S. Quentin (NE corner of Illinois & Quentin), Palatine
M-F      8:30 am – 4:00 pm
Sat       8:30 am – 12:00 noon

ELECTION JUDGES

If you are interested in being an Election Judge, please contact the Cook County Clerk’s Office at (312)603-0965 or visit their website at www.cookcountyclerk.com for more information.

General Election Information 

Visit these websites:

Illinois State Board of Elections

Cook County Election Department