RE: Early Voting

[dogfacedboy]

In the Early Voting program, are the results held onto, and then reported with the returns on election day, or the results posted before election day?

Also, is a paper ballot used, or is it electronic voting?

[Radical Activist]

1. Early votes are counted on election day with the others.

paper or electronic depends on your county.

[AtLiberty]

2. Most early voting in Illinois is electronic...

If at all possible, vote on election day, Nov. 7th.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

3. I think all the early voting will be done on the touch-screen machines.

I'm supposed to be an election judge on November 7th. I went to the training session last week.

According to the Election Judge Manual: "Beginning with this election, state law requires tht all absentee and early voted ballots be counted centrally on election night. Therefore judges will no longer get absentee or early voter applications and ballots." emphasis mine

"Each precinct will receive a list of early/absentee voers in Envelope 703. This envelope will be delivered to one judge before Election Day or to the precinct by 6 am on Election Day. Open it immediately. Stamp the application for ballot of every voter on the list with the EARLY/ABSENTEE VOTER stamp. This must be done before the polls open or as soon as the envelope is delivered."

The trainers at the session last week told us that the David Orr's office will do everything they can to get these lists to the polling places before 6:00 am on Election Day, but they can't guarantee it. However, as soon as it arrives the stamp must be put on applications.

I'm still waiting to hear if they need me or not. If I get assigned, I will have to do an early vote at the village hall in Oak Lawn. I'll let you know if both types of machines are available, but I'm almost positive early voting in Cook County will all be done on the touch screen machines.

[orleans]

6. my daughter is suppose to be an election judge and she called

the board of elections a couple months ago to make sure they knew she wanted to be a judge. they said they had her info on the list. she hasn't heard back from them about anything.

any suggestions? (when did they contact you recently to inform you of this training session?)

we're in dupage county

[dogfacedboy]

8. Well, if Du Page is like Kane

they load up those spots with their Republican friends. The Dem's here in my township always have to fight with the county to get Dems on as election judges.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

11. I got a letter from David Orr's office the 3rd of 4th week of September

about the training session. However, I live in Cook County not DuPage.

Have your daughter call the DuPage County Clerk's office and ask them about it.

I'm still waiting to see if I'll be assigned for November 7th. According to Clerk's office in Cook County, they're mailing out assignments this week.

[mucifer]

4. I was in Dan Seals office this evening. They were doing phone banking

to get early voters who are in their base to the polls. (I was entering data into the computer. I dont like phone banking).

[LSK]

5. Mark Crispin Miller suggests not using early voting

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2417160

[AtLiberty]

7. SPREAD THE WORD -- DO NOT VOTE EARLY!!!

!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only vote early if voting on Nov. 7th is impossible for you.

[JoDog]

9. McHenry County doesn't use touchscreens

Last time I voted (the spring primary) the majority of the districts in McHenry County used optical scan voting machines. The only touchscreen ones were stationed at larger districts for disabled voters to use. Although, I don't remember seeing one at my admittedly tiny district.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/lakezurich/news/83830,lz-evoting-100406-s1.article

The McHenry County clerk is quoted near the end of this story. However, it doesn't mention what's used in Kane County (I presume from earlier posts about the KCC, my Dogfacedboy counterpart is from Kane. And what's with all us doggish people in the NW burbs, anyway? :) )

Also remember, state law requires a paper backup. So if you have any doubts or questions, bring that up with the poll judges, and ask if you can actually review the paper record to confirm you votes.

[JoDog]

10. Just talked to the MC clerk's office...

And early voting in McHenry County is by touchscreen machines only. However, you should be able to review the paper backup and alert whomever is working the desk to any problems and get them solved immediately.

Unfortunately, the way my work schedule is shaping up for the next few weeks, early voting may be the only way I can be assured of casting a ballot at all. I've invited some friends to go with me on Saturday and try to make a party out of it. Voting should be a party, I think. When are country was first founded, election days were often treated as holidays, with drinking, overeating, speeches and parties. Since I'm doing the driving, I can't partake in the "drinking" part of the tradition, though!