Applications to request absentee ballot available online
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Cook County Clerk David Orr’s office has begun mailing absentee ballots to suburban residents who will be out of town or physically unable to reach their polling place during the April 5 local elections.
To request a mail-in absentee ballot application from the Clerk’s office, qualified registered voters can:
print an application online at www.voterinfonet.com (for more information, visit the Absentee page).
call to request one from the Clerk’s office, (312) 603-0906.
write or visit the Clerk’s office, 69 W. Washington St., Suite 500, Chicago, IL, 60602.
Under state law, registered voters may qualify to cast an absentee ballot only if they cannot make it to their polling place on Election Day. Among the eligible voters who most commonly request absentee ballots are those that will be outside of the county, are physically incapacitated, serving on a jury or as election judge, and those observing a religious holiday.
Completed applications to request an absentee ballot must arrive at the Clerk’s downtown office no later than Thursday, March 31. Clerk’s staff will determine if a voter is eligible to receive a mail-in absentee ballot.
Voted mail-in absentee ballots can be mailed or delivered to the Clerk’s downtown office and must be received on Election Day before the polls close (at 7 p.m. April 5).
Individuals who registered to vote using a mail-in registration form are not eligible to vote by mail-in absentee ballot the first time they vote. If eligible to vote absentee, they must vote in-person absentee.
In-person absentee voting will begin March 14 and end April 4. Eligible voters can cast ballots at participating village and township clerk’s offices or at the Clerk’s downtown office (69 W. Washington St.). Voters should call the Clerk’s office at (312) 603-1122 for downtown hours, or their local village or township clerk for availability, times and locations.
Orr reminds voters that Illinois law prohibits anyone except the voter, a family member or a bonded messenger from handling, mailing or delivering completed absentee ballots. Also, it is considered fraud to make a false statement to obtain an absentee ballot or solicit someone to do so is considered vote fraud and is a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison. Call (312) 603-0909 to report vote fraud.
For more information about absentee voting, call (312) 603-0906 or visit www.voterinfonet.com.