Voting today: Polling places, voters' rights, online help
As people around the suburbs head to the polls today for a primary with big consequences for how Illinois is governed, here are a few things to know:
About the candidates
• Voters will nominate candidates for governor, other statewide offices, U.S. Senate, members of Congress, state lawmakers and certain county officials and judges.
• Find questionnaires completed by the candidates, news coverage and our endorsements at www.dailyherald.com/news/politics/election.
Polling hours
• Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.
• You need to have already registered to vote in order to vote in the primary election. To check whether you're registered, visit http://www.elections.il.gov/votinginformation/RegistrationLookup.aspx.
Where to vote
Find your polling place and sample ballots at the county websites:
• Cook County: http://bit.ly/1kDKKT3
• DuPage County: http://bit.ly/1g3T8vy
• Lake County: http://bit.ly/1mevtLA
• Kane County: http://bit.ly/1g3TylK
• McHenry County: http://bit.ly/1fDHL80
•Will County: http://bit.ly/1gwfz71
Where to get help
• If you need help with voting, contact the State Board of Elections hotline at (312) 814-6466, or (217) 782-1518 for the hearing-impaired.
• If you suspect improper or illegal activity, contact the Illinois attorney general's office at (866) 536-3496. No one is allowed to influence a voter within 100 feet of a polling place.
Your voting rights
Voters have certain rights, according to the Illinois attorney general and Illinois State Board of Elections:
• Voters can bring candidate guides or similar references into the voting booth with them.
• If you make a mistake on a paper ballot, and have not cast your ballot, you can ask for a replacement.
• If you have trouble reading, understanding English, or have a disability, you have the right to have assistance while casting a ballot.
• After giving notice to their employer, every employee is entitled to two hours off work in order to vote.
• If your name does not appear on the official voter list, or your voting eligibility has been questioned, you may fill out a provisional ballot, which will be counted once your eligibility has been verified.
At dailyherald.com
Go to our election page, www.dailyherald.com/news/politics/election/, for endorsements and our coverage of the races you'll vote on. Then watch Dailyherald.com after the polls close for election results.