Blue Tsunami is YOU

The Blue Wave is YOU!

By Maryann Vazquez

Have you ever wondered why there were more Republicans on the ballot than Democrats in DuPage County? I wondered the first time I saw a local ballot, and I have come to understand that it is engagement in that OTHER party office on Curtiss that makes the difference. Republicans are relentless in pursuing their interests and agenda. Democrats ... well, we often think we can just chill after elections rather than staying engaged. We can not chill, people!  That is not working for us. Democrats have to be active to save our democracy even within the confines of Dupage County. Our organization has to remain vital, vibrant, active and it has to grow.  Supporting the DGTDO and its office needs to be a priority for all of us who are concerned about the direction of this country. Do you care or do you just talk about it?  We have all seen what our collective complacency has done to the nation, even the world. 

Our office at 906 Curtiss is the heart of our Democratic community.  In order to build the organization and attract like-minded individuals, we need this home in Downers Grove Township, we need to support. It just can not happen without you. The office is open Monday through Friday afternoon; if we had more volunteers we could keep it open in the evenings. Volunteer!!!  (Just DVR that show if you must watch it.) Donations are needed for rent, supplies and utilities. You can support keeping the office open for a full day with a donation of $40 a month.  If that is not in your budget, try half a day for $20 a month.

The primary is March 20th! We need you! We need people to poll watchs. Phone bankers to get out the vote. Support your favored candidate in getting out the vote. The Blue Tsunami is YOU!

Thank you to all the volunteers that keep the doors open for those looking for a place to feel safe. Thank you to those who donate funds to help keep the hearth warm.  A special note of gratitude to all of the leaders and Precinct Committeemen - you are the foundation of our township organization!  We appreciate every step you take.

Primary Election Prep in a Nutshell

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. 

What happens on Election Day

What Happens on Election Day?

By Chris Hotchkin

If you are a precinct committeeman, a campaign volunteer, a poll watcher, and especially if you are an Election Judge, Primary Election Day on March 20, will be a busy and exciting day.

Election judges will start their day between 5:00 and 5:30 a.m., preparing the polling place and materials, including making sure the voting machines are working and starting at zero votes. Each polling place includes 2 to 4 precincts. There will be a crew of election judges, some representing the Democratic Party, and some representing the Republican Party. Each crew of judges has one Technical Judge who has received special training in the operation of the voting machines and other technical tools used in the polling place. This Technical Judge is not “the boss” of the other judges, but is often looked to for answers to questions regarding the machines. Questions regarding who should be allowed to vote or to register should be decided by consensus of the entire crew of judges, which is why there are both Democratic and Republican judges.

Poll watchers, including precinct committeemen, should also plan to get to the polling place about 5:30 or before the polls open at 6:00. The poll watchers will observe to see that the machines are functioning and at zero, and that the judges seem ready for the day.

Throughout the day, poll watchers may remain in the polling place or come and go, as their schedule permits. When a poll watcher, including a PC, first enters the polls, he or she will present their poll watching credentials to the election judges who will retain them. Each time the PW visits the polls, he or she will sign in and out. Poll watchers may observe voters as they sign in and are handed their ballots. They may not interfere with the process or touch any materials. Some poll watchers and PC’s may keep a record of which voters have come in to vote, so they know who needs a reminder later in the day. If a poll watcher or a PC observes something that does not seem legal or correct, e.g. electioneering within 100 feet of the polling room, judges appearing to be confused about whom they can register, judges handling ballots after they have been voted or attempting to influence voters, or machines not working, the poll watcher can report any issues to our township chair or someone she designates.

At the end of Election Day, poll watchers should be in the polling place before it closes at 7:00 p.m. if they plan to stay and observe as the judges close the polls. The election judges will remove and pack the paper ballots from the machine, and will run 4 or 5 tapes of the results on each machine. A poll watcher may request one of the tapes, which the judges will provide if they have enough paper tape. One of the result tapes will be taped onto the outer door of the building housing the polling place, so voters can stop by and see the results. Two of the judges, one Democrat and one Republican, will transport the paper ballots to the Election Commission office in Wheaton.

If you are a PC, an election judge, a campaign worker, or a candidate, there will be various gatherings after the polls close, planned by different campaigns, to hear the election results. It is always exciting to watch results come in, especially when you have been an active participant in a campaign and on Election Day.

Voter Registration Toolkit

VOTER REGISTRATION TOOLKIT:

A brief overview of Voter Registration rules & regulations in Illinois.

ILLINOIS DOES NOT USE VOTER REGISTRATION FOR JURY DUTY!!

Who should register?

• Are you a United States Citizen?
• Are you at least 18 years old on or before the next election?
•  For a General Primary, you must be 17 and will be 18 by the General Election
• Have you lived in your election precinct at least 30 days before the next election?
• Have you moved or changed your name since the last time you voted or registered?
• You must not be convicted or in jail.
• You may register and vote once your sentence is served.
• You cannot claim the right to vote anywhere else.

There are three ways for a citizen of the U.S. to register to vote in the State of Illinois.

1.      A person who is a Certified Voter Registrar may fill out the necessary forms and file them with the county.

2.     Any Illinois resident who is a U.S. citizen may fill out their own voter registration form, either online or by mail-in form and turn them in; in either case

YOU SHOULD PLAN TO BRING AN ID THE FIRST TIME YOU VOTE!!

3.     In person, at your polling place, on election day or for early voting.

To register online via the Illinois State Board of Elections website: https://ova.elections.il.gov/

You need to have Either;

1.       The last four digits of your Social Security number

2.      Or an Illinois State ID or an Illinois Driver’s License

a.     The date the license or ID was issued.

b.     Your birth date.

To register by mail or in person two forms of ID are necessary, you do not have to have a photo ID, BUT, one ID must have your current address. If you do not have an Illinois Driver License or State ID, you must provide the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.

If you register by mail, then you must EITHER include the last 4 digits of your Social Security number, OR send copies of 2 forms of ID with the application: one must be - a copy of a current, and valid, photo identification. The 2^nd ID may be - a copy of a current utility bill, lease agreement, rental agreement, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document which shows your current name and address.

You are not required to show identification at the polling place if you are registered to vote from the address where you reside. The only exception to this is if you registered BY MAIL and failed to include the necessary identification with the registration, then two forms of identification may be required before casting a ballot.

If you registered to vote by mail or online, YOU SHOULD PLAN to have a proof of ID and address the first time you vote.