As Illinois voters start to cast their ballots for the November midterm elections, Rock Island County Clerk Karen Kinney is reminding residents that voter registration is available up to election day. However, where people can register depends on the date.
Kinney said residents can register at municipal locations until October 6th, that’s when grace period voting begins.
“So they could not go to the library and register or the DMV and register. A little bit different circumstances on how it works. So that's one thing I wanted to make clear, because I don't think a lot of people understand that there is no time that they can't register. It's just how they register.”
The online registration portal on the Illinois State Board of Elections’ websiteis open until Oct. 19. After that date, people will need to register either at early voting locations, the county clerk’s office or at their voting precinct on Election Day.
For Rock Island County, early voting will start 15 days before the election at the following locations: Silvis City Hall, Milan Municipal building and the Moline public library.
Kinney recommended people check their voter registration status on the Illinois State Board of Elections website. She said There are a variety of reasons people would need to re-register.
“You may need to register if you are a first-time voter who will be 18 on or before Nov. 3 You are a new to Rock Island County, a new resident. If you have moved since you last registered or voted,” Kinney said. “If you have had a name change, oftentimes women get married and they want to change their name. If you have had a felony conviction but are no longer incarcerated, you may need to register.”
To register, voters will need to prove they have lived in their voting precinct for at least 30 days. Voters must also be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen. Voters will need to show two forms of identification to complete registration.
Kinney has been managing Rock Island County’s elections for 16 years. She is retiring after this term and this election will be her last as county clerk. She said running elections has changed over the years.
“One of the changes we've encountered is our vote-by-mail laws. It used to be years ago that in order to vote by mail, you had to give a reason such as you were in the hospital or you were out of town. That has changed now,” Kinney said. “We now have what's called same-day voting, and we also have same-day voting and registration. If you come in here and you discover that you are no longer registered, you may register at the counter, but then you cannot leave. You must go to the voting table and vote.”
Kinney also said that voters can return their ballots at a dropbox outside the Rock Island County, 1504 3rd Ave, building by 7 p.m. election day, Nov. 3.
“It's a very convenient way to deliver your vote-by-mail ballot. You don't have to worry if it's going to make it or not, and we'll be emptying that box at least four or five times a day because I do believe this year we're going to experience a lot of use with our drop box.”
This year, Kinney said her office is receiving multiple calls regarding vote-by-mail ballots with concerns from voters that their ballot will not reach election authorities on time.
“[A] lot of people don't trust the post office to deliver their ballot on time,” Kinney said. “And I mean, I don't know if there's any validity to that, but I understand their concern, and that's due to everything they read on Facebook and [what] they hear on television. So I think they just want to make sure that their ballot makes it here safe and secure.”
Iowa voters will need to wait until Oct 14. before they can start casting their ballots. However, absentee ballots (vote-by-mail) applications can be requested through the county auditor’s office now until Oct 19.
Kinney has one more piece of advice for voters.
“Well, I just would like to add, if you don't vote, don't complain. Because I hear people all the time complaining and then I find out they didn't even vote. So, that makes no sense. This is a very important race, so I wouldn't forfeit my vote. But that's my opinion. Well, we all have them.”
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