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Report any problems or violations of Election
Election Night Reporting
• Visit www.grundyco.org • Click on the ‘Election Results’ link located on the Homepage. Election results are not official until after the Re-‐Tab/Canvass on Wednesday, April 17 th . The Re-‐Tab/Canvass and final ballot count will include any remaining Vote by Mail ballots received and postmarked by Election Day and valid Provisional ballots cast on Election Day. Election results are not official until after the Re-Tab/Canvass on Wednesday, April 1st. The Re-Tab/Canvass and final ballot count will include any remaining Vote by Mail ballots received and postmarked by Election Day and valid Provisional ballots cast on Election Day.
THE IMPORTANCE OF ONE VOTE
What good will one vote do? ONE VOTE had a lot to do with a lot of things in our Country!
•Thomas Jefferson was elected by ONE VOTE in the Electoral College. • Rutherford B. Hayes was elected President by ONE VOTE. His election was contested, and referred to an Electoral Commission. Again, he won by ONE VOTE. The man who cast that deciding vote was a Congressman from Indiana, who was elected to congress by a margin of just ONE VOTE. • Just ONE VOTE gave the Statehood to California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Today, millions of people living in those states are Americans by just ONE VOTE. • In 1960 John F. Kennedy was elected by a margin of 119,450 – less than ONE VOTE per precinct over the entire Nation. • In 1970 State House races in Rhode Island and Missouri were decided by just ONE VOTE. • In 1982 a State House election in Maine, the victor won 1,387 votes to the loser’s 1,386 votes. Just ONE VOTE. • In 2001, the Village of Mazon elected their new President by just ONE VOTE. • In 2010, the Vermillion County Clerk was re-elected by just ONE VOTE. • In 2016, a Board Member from Grundy County, District 3 was chosen by the flip of a coin. After the Canvassing of votes occurred, there was a tie for the third spot in that District. Just ONE VOTE more would have made the difference.
GO TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY AND EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE! YOU ARE NOT A VOTER UNLESS YOU VOTE BE A VOTER!!!
________________________________________ WHAT TO EXPECT at the Polls_____________ Voting should be a quick, satisfying experience if you follow a few simple steps. Here are some tips of what to expect at the polls on Election Day. You are required to vote in the precinct where you live. Your Voter Registration card shows your precinct number, and polling place location. It can also be found on our website. The polls are open from 6 AM to 7 PM. To avoid heavy turn-‐out times of 6 AM-‐9 AM and 5 PM -‐7PM, we suggest you vote, if possible, between the hours of 10 AM-‐4PM. To ensure a quick process, any changes to your name or address since the last election should be updated with the Clerk’s Office 30 days prior to Election Day. When you arrive at your polling place, an Election Judge will ask your name and address, find your name in the poll book and ask you to sign an application to vote. Your signature will be verified, your application will be numbered, and your ballot will be initialed by an Election Judge. It is important that you review your ballot for accuracy prior to casting your ballot. Once your ballot has been accepted by the voting equipment, no further changes or corrections can be made. If you make a mistake, prior to casting your ballot, you can ‘spoil’ your ballot by giving it back to the Judge and getting a new ballot. You can ask any questions you have to the Election Judge. ___________________________________ VOTER Responsibilities___________ Each Voter should: 1. Familiarize themselves with the candidates and issues. 2. Maintain a current address with the office of the County Clerk. 3. Know the location of their polling place and its hours of operation. 4. Bring proper identification to the polling place in case it is needed. 5. Treat precinct workers with courtesy. 6. Respect the privacy of other voters. 7. Report any problems or violations of Election Laws to the County Clerk’s Office. 8. Ask questions if needed. 9. Make sure that their completed ballot is correct before casting it and leaving the polling place. View your Specimen Ballot @www.grundyco.org Am I registered? Where do I vote? Verify your voter registration status, learn your districts, view your sample ballot and find your Election Day polling place all under: Election Information on our website at www.grundyco.org or by calling the County Clerk’s Office @815-941-3222
Grace Period Beginning October, 10 th through November, 6 th qualified individuals can register to vote, or update their registration at the County Clerk’s Office or your Election Day polling place. Important Information about the November 6
If you registered through the mail and the Clerk’s office could not verify your identity, you will be required to show one form of identification from the following list: • A current and valid photo ID • Current utility bill • Current bank statement • Government check • Paycheck • Government document
We know your time is valuable, so we encourage you to take advantage of one of the options the Grundy County Clerk is offering to make it easier than ever for you to exercise your right to vote in 2018.
When and how are Vote by Mail, Grace Period and Early Voting Ballots Counted? When and how are Vote by Mail, Grace Period and Early Voting Ballots Counted?
* Vote by Mail ballots received by Election Day are processed by Vote by Mail Processing Judges, from each political party, before (if needed) and on Election Day. * Vote by Mail ballots received by Election Day are processed by Vote by Mail Processing Judges, from each political party, before (if needed) and on Election Day.
* Early Voting & Grace Period ballots are tabulated Election Night, after the polls close, and are included in the Election Night Results. * Any Vote by Mail ballots postmarked by midnight Election Day and received in the Clerk’s Office by April 16 th
will be processed by Vote by Mail Processing Judges from each political party. These results will be added along with any valid Provisional ballots, to the final vote totals during the Canvass/Re-‐Tab on April 17 th
, election results will be certified at that time. * Early Voting & Grace Period ballots are tabulated Election Night, after the polls close, and are included in the Election Night Results. * Any Vote by Mail ballots postmarked by midnight Election Day and received in the Clerk’s Office by March 31 st
will be processed by Vote by Mail Processing Judges from each political party. These results will be added along with any valid Provisional ballots, to the final vote totals during the Canvass/Re-‐Tab on April 1 st
Must I be registered in order to vote? Yes. Voters must be registered to vote at the address where they live in order to cast a ballot. If you have moved prior to Election Day within Grundy County and failed to update your registration, you may register and vote at the County Clerk’s office or your new polling place. You need to provide two forms of identification, one showing your current address. Common forms of identification include a driver’s license, other government documents or utility bill.
How can I check to see if I am registered to vote? If you visit our website, www.grundyco.org and click on the “Are You a Registered Voter?” link, you will be able to check your voter registration status, and the location of your polling place.
What is grace period registration? If you did not register to vote, or transfer your registration before the close of registration (February 18th 2020), you may register to vote at the County Clerk’s office from February 19th through March 17th You will be required to vote in the County Clerk’s office at the time of registration. Two forms of identification are required, one must contain your current address.
May I vote by mail before Election Day? Yes, you most certainly can! Applications for a Vote by Mail ballot must be received by our office no later than March 12th. Email elections@grundyco.org or call 815-941-3222 for an application.
What is early voting? Early voting was established in 2006 to allow voters to cast a ballot prior to Election Day without needing a reason (i.e. expecting to be absent from the county). Early voting takes place at the County Clerk’s office through March 16th.
I have family in the military. How can they receive a ballot? Our website, www.grundyco.org has a link on the elections page, under “Voting by Mail’, for military personnel and persons living overseas to print out an FPCA card. This will serve as their absentee ballot application and registration. FPCA cards are also available to military personnel through their commanding officer.
Is ID required in order to vote? Persons who registered to vote by mail and failed to provide our office with identification will be required to present the election judges with valid identification prior to being issued a ballot. Other voters are not required to provide identification, but having your voter ID card, driver’s license or state ID available could help speed up the voting process. Other Questions or Concerns? ….. Call the Clerk’s Office at 815-941-3222!
