What you need to know when voting on Election Day
The final day to cast a ballot for this election is upon us.
Congressional races and a bevy of statewide races, including for governor and a new attorney general, will be decided.
Locally, voters will also decide numerous county board races and the fates of several municipal, fire district, library, school, township and park referendums.
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Here are some things that might help when you cast your ballot. Be sure to check back at dailyherald.com for election results after the polls close.
On the ballot
Before heading to the polls, you can check online to see what races and questions are on your ballot. Sample ballots can be found on county election websites for Cook County at cookcountyclerk.com, DuPage County at dupageco.org, Kane County at kanecountyclerk.org, Lake County at lakecountyil.gov, McHenry County at mchenrycountyil.gov and Will County at thewillcountyclerk.com.
Can I still register?
Yes. Any U.S. citizen who has lived at his or her current address for more than 30 days and is at least 18 can register on Election Day. New voters must also bring two forms of identification, which can include a passport, military ID, driver's license, copy of mortgage or deed, Social Security card, Illinois Firearm Owners Identification card or a school, college or work ID. Voters without proper identification can also cast provisional ballots, but that requires a voter to return within seven days and produce the proper ID requirements.
Where do college students vote?
College students can vote at their campus address or their home address, but they should make sure their choice doesn't jeopardize any scholarships that have residency requirements, according to vote.org.
How do those with disabilities vote?
A voter who is physically unable to fill out or cast a ballot must swear an oath or show a state-issued "Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card," according to the state's election law. The disabled person is then accompanied by two election judges of differing political parties who will assist in filling out the ballot. A disabled person can also bring someone to fill out the ballot who is not the person's employer, agent of the employer or representative of a union the voter belongs to. The person filling out the disabled voter's ballot must also sign an oath that he or she didn't influence the disabled voter's choice of candidates or party.
Are newspapers and phones allowed in the booth?
Newspapers, yes. Phones, maybe. Feel free to bring along a copy of the Daily Herald's endorsements when you vote. Since there are judges up for election or retention, too, here's a list of recommendations from the area bar associations. There is no state law against using your phone in the voting booth, but county election officials can set their own rules, state election officials warn.
How busy will it be?
It's hard to say. There are more registered voters in the collar counties than there were for the 2016 presidential election. Turnout was high for early voting, but it still only accounts for about a quarter of the votes cast in an election, on average. The March primary also had the highest voter turnout of any non-presidential primary in the state's history, according to state election officials, which could mean more people than usual showing up at the polls. If you are in line at the 7 p.m. closing time, you still must be allowed to vote.
What about electioneering?
No one is allowed to campaign for a candidate or question within 100 feet of the entrance to a polling place, among other Election Day rules. On Election Day, any suspicious or illegal behavior can be reported to the attorney general's office via a hotline at (866) 536-3496.