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frazzled

(18,402 posts)
11. Your local election authority probably is a better bet
Sun Aug 3, 2014, 12:44 AM
Aug 2014

Unless perhaps you live in a rural area. I've been using the Chicago Board of Elections website , for years. There (see http://www.chicagoelections.com/en/home.html and http://www.chicagoelections.com/en/your-voter-information.html ) you see not just your polling place, but much more:

• Verify your voter registration
• Locate your polling place
Obtain a sample ballot
Find contact information for your public officials
Check the status of your absentee ballot
Apply online for an absentee ballot

You don't register to vote with the state, but rather with your municipality. It's important not just to be registered and to be sure of your polling place (mine changed this past year), but to be able to study the sample ballot for upcoming races for your city, state, and federal offices (these will all be different, depending on where you live, with lots of local offices and judgeships, and different US Representatives, even).

For every primary and election, I print up a sample ballot and do lots of research, and then bring my "cheat sheet" ballot to the poll. I can also check election returns on the same site, after I've voted.

It's a good service from the state, but it's not complete enough to help inform voters fully.

Interesting 4b5f940728b232b034e4 Aug 2014 #1
Thrown away? Jean4CountyClerk Aug 2014 #2
? 4b5f940728b232b034e4 Aug 2014 #8
sigh 4b5f940728b232b034e4 Aug 2014 #9
I hope you don't mind my asking, but why did you choose a hexadecimal number for a name? /nt Dragonfli Aug 2014 #5
well 4b5f940728b232b034e4 Aug 2014 #6
Thank you, I know it was off topic, but I was just curious. Dragonfli Aug 2014 #7
LOL 4b5f940728b232b034e4 Aug 2014 #10
Thank you lunasun Aug 2014 #3
K&R Snarkoleptic Aug 2014 #4
Your local election authority probably is a better bet frazzled Aug 2014 #11
Yes Jean4CountyClerk Aug 2014 #12
Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Illinois»Check the status of your ...»Reply #11