Election News from Willard Helander, Lake County Clerk

Election Information for your Website and Newsletter
Legislative changes to election laws and deadlines for each election cycle often require website and newsletters to be updated. Please take a moment to review the information included below to determine if your website or news publication reflects current information. If you link your website directly to our site, you will not have to take action regarding future updates and be assured that your readers access current registration and voting information.

Important Dates for 2012 General Election

- Register to Vote by Oct. 9
- Grace Period Registration Oct. 10 - Nov. 3
- Lake County Central Permit Facility
- 500 W. Winchester Rd., Libertyville
- Voting by Mail Sept. 27 - Nov. 1
- Early Voting Oct. 22 - Nov. 3
- General Election - Nov. 6

New Districts & Precincts on Certificate of Voter Registration
In 2010, U.S. Census counted every U.S. resident to ensure equal representation among the population in congressional, state and county board districts. The County Clerk's office created new precinct boundaries for all 18 townships which the Lake County Board approved in September 2011. New Certificates of Voter Registration were mailed to all registered voters listing federal, state and county districts, new precinct, voting site location and a QR code to link smart devices directly to the Voter Power web page for election information anywhere, anytime.

If you misplaced or did not receive your card, you may print your card online at LakeCountyClerk.info, or call 847.377.2410 to request a replacement. Certificate of Voter Registration is not an identification card nor proof of residency.

Voter Registration
You are eligible to register to vote if you are a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age by the next election, a resident of Lake County for 30 days prior to an election, and present two pieces of valid identification. Registration is available at the Lake County Clerk's office, through a commissioned Deputy Registrar, at your local municipal or township office and other convenient local agencies. Registration is open all year throughout the County except during the 27 days preceding an election and reopens the second day following an election. For more information, contact the County Clerk's Voter Registration department at [email protected] or call 847.377.2410.

Grace Period Registration
Grace period registration is available to those who failed to register to vote or for registered voters who changed their name or address and did not update the information with the County Clerk's office by the close of voter registration. Grace period applicants must appear in-person at the Lake County Central Permit Facility 500 W. Winchester Rd, Libertyville Campus, present two forms of valid identification, and vote at the time of their registration. For more voter r egistration information, contact the County Clerk's Voter Registration department at [email protected] or call 847.377.2410.

Vote by Mail
Illinois law requires voters to complete a separate request for ballot form for each election before a ballot can be mailed. To complete an application online, confirm voter registration status at LakeCountyClerk.info, and click on the "Request a Ballot by Mail" tab. Print the form, sign, date and mail to the Lake County Clerk's office. Completing the application online and mailing to us eliminates one mailing step and speeds up delivery of your ballot.

Applications may also be requested by contacting the Voting by Mail Department via e-mail at [email protected] or by calling 847.377.2406. Voters can visit LakeCountyClerk.info, to track the Clerk's receipt of their voted ballot.

Vote Early
Voting early in-person is now shortened to two weeks and begins 15 days prior to Election Day. Any registered voter in Lake County may choose to vote early and is required to present valid government-issued identification containing their photograph. Each voter has a convenient local early voting site that is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Early voting ends the Saturday prior to Election Day.

To locate your early voting site, visit LakeCountyClerk.info, or call 847.377.2410.

Online Voter Resource
Visit LakeCountyClerk.info, to confirm your registration status and to view all your personalized election information:
- Sample ballot, beginning 40 days prior to Election Day
- Download a form to request a ballot by mail
- Track Clerk's receipt of your voted ballot, if voting by mail
- Election Day and early voting sites including driving directions and picture
- New districts effective on your November 2012 election ballot
- Current elected officials and contact information

Need more voter or election information? Visit LakeCountyClerk.info, contact the County Clerk's Elections department at [email protected] or call 847.377.2314.