Primary Election Prep
in a Nutshell
By Chris Johnson
We’re
seriously in the home stretch now, so let’s be sure we have our voting ducks
(voting ducks??) in a row.
1.
Registration
·
If
you’re already registered, confirm your status at https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx.
·
If you aren’t registered, or if you know anyone who isn’t
registered – including young people who will turn 18 before the November 6, 2018
general election (yes, that includes high school students) – there’s still time
for in-person registration:
o
Until March 19: At the Election Commission or any Early
Voting Location; find a list of those locations here.
o
On March 20 (election day):
At your polling place.
o
ID
requirements for any in-person registration: Bring two pieces of identification, one of which must
include your current address.
2.
Research
·
If
you’re still undecided about any of the races, the DGTD website has links to
all of the candidate websites – check them out!
http://www.dgdemocrats.org/, Candidates tab.
·
Find
a sample ballot for your precinct at https://www.dupageco.org/VoterLookup/.
If you print it out, you can mark your choices AND bring it into the
voting booth with you.
3.
Voting
method
You still have options!
·
Vote
by Mail: Get an application at https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingInformation/VotingByMail.aspx, and mail it in so that will be received by the Board of Elections by March 15. After you get your ballot, fill it out and
return it; it must be postmarked by
March 20.
·
In-person
Early Voting, through March 19: Find locations at Early Voting Locations, Dates and Hours.
·
Election Day Voting, March 20: Find your polling
place at https://www.dupageco.org/VoterLookup/.
NOTE that there have been some changes; your polling place may have
changed since last time you voted.
o
ASK FOR A PAPER BALLOT IF IT ISN’T OFFERED TO YOU. More tamper-resistant than touchscreen, and
can be recounted if a recount is necessary.
o
Be safe and bring ID with you – something other than your
Voter ID card. No, they are not supposed
to ask for it – but your most important job on Election Day is to cast
a vote. You
can report the improper request to a Democratic poll watcher, and/or report it
to the Election Commission after the fact.
4.
Why
should I bother doing any of this? It’s
a mid-term primary and I’m a Democrat in DuPage County.
Many
reasons, but try these:
·
Lots
of Democratic candidates, for a change (wave of the future!). There are nearly 3 times as many Democrats on
DuPage County ballots as we’ve had in the past!
·
We
can make the November races competitive by using this wealth of choices
to pick the strongest candidates for the general election.
·
A
strong primary turnout fuels motivation and enthusiasm in the party base, which
is one of the best predictors of success in the general election.
For
more information: Go to https://www.elections.il.gov/InfoForVoters.aspx, https://www.dupageco.org/Election/Voting/, or check out the helpful links on the
DGTDO website, www.dgdemocrats.org.
