The Intelligencer's Voter Guide
FAQ
Can I vote early by mail?
You can vote by mail if you will be away from your county on Election Day and during the hours that early voting is conducted; are sick or disabled; are 65 years of age or older on Election Day; or you are in jail.
What are election judges?
Judges of elections are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the polling place on Election Day. They are in the position of ensuring that the election process is administered fairly and in accordance with the law.
What do I do if I have changed my name?
A person who changes his or her name must re-register to vote.
Am I registered to vote?
You can see your voter registration status here
How do I know where my polling place is?
You can find where you go to vote on Election Day here.
What forms of ID are needed when voting?
Two forms of identification with at leasat one showing your current residence is needed when you register to vote in-person.
You have the right to vote!
You have the right as a citizen to vote and should anyone try to stop you, call the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683.
Can I put a PO Box address or a school mailbox address as my permanent address?
No. Your form will not be processed if you put a P.O. Box as your permanent address. For district purposes, you must put a physical adddress. There is a section of the form to put your mailing address in addition to your physical address.
I live abroad. How do I register to vote?
You should contact the Federal Voting Assistance Program. The website is http://www.fvap.gov. They specialize in getting people in the armed forces and people living abroad registered to vote. The rules for people in the armed forces or abroad are different than for people living in the United States. The FVAP can also be reached by phone at (800) 438-VOTE.
Key Dates
October 6, 2020
Last day for registration or transfer of registration within the offices of the election authority
October 7, 2020
First day for grace period registration, voting or change of address in the office of the election authority or at a location designated for this purpose
October 18, 2020
ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION Last day for voters to register to vote through the State Board of Elections website. (10 ILCS 5/1A-16.5)
October 19, 2020
First day of early voting for counties who have early voting at permanent polling places other than the office of the election authority
October 26, 2020
Last day for any voter who is a member of the U.S. service or their spouses, voting age dependents, nonresident civilian and citizens temporarily residing outside the U.S. to make application for an absentee ballot
October 29, 2020
Last day for the election authority to receive application by mail from any registered voter
November 2, 2020
Last day for early voting
November 3, 2020
Last day for grace period registration and voting
U.S. President
President Donald J. Trump is vying to keep his seat but Joe Biden, former vice president, is campaigning to take his place.
Donald Trump
Donald J. Trump is the 45th and current president of the United State and is running for his second term in office (Vice President Michael Pence).
Joe Biden
Joe Biden is an American politician who served as the 47th Vice President of the United States from 2009 to 2017 (Vice President Kamala Harris)
Howie Hawkins
Howie Hawkins is the Green Party presidental candidate (Vice President Angela Walker)
Gloria La Riva
Gloria La Riva was the Party for Socialism & Liberation's presidential candidate in 2016.
Brian Carroll
Brian Carroll ran in California's 22nd Congressional District election in 2018.
Jo Jorgensen
Jo Jorgensen also was a candidate to represent South Carolina's 4th Congressional District but withdrew.
U.S. Senator
Richard Durbin
Richard "Dick" Durbin was first elected to the Senate in 1996 and now is minority whip.
Mark Curran Jr.
Mark Curran is the former Lake County sheriff who also was a U.S. Attorney assistant.
Willie Wilson
Willie Wilson ran for mayor of Chicago in 2019.
David Black
David Black is a retired attorney.
Danny Malouf
Danny Malouf has worked in human resources.
U.S. Representative
Mike Bost
Mike Bost (R) is the current 12th Congressional Representative.
Raymond Lenzi
Raymond C. Lenzi (D) 12th Congressional District.
Rodney Davis
Rodney Davis (R) of Taylorville is the current 13th Congressional Representative.
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan
Betsy Dirksen Londrigan (D) of Springfield is a candidate for the 13th Congressional District.
Erika Weaver
Erika C. Weaver (D) of Mattoon is a candidate for the 15th Congressional District.
Mary Miller
Mary Miller (R) of Oakland is a candidate for the 15th Congressional District.
Madison County Board Races
Kurt Prenzler
Kurt Prenzler of Edwardsville is the current Madison County Chairman and former Madison County Treasurer.
Bob Daiber
Bob Daiber retired as regional superintendent in 2018 is seeking to become Madison County Chairman.
Steve Nonn
Steve Nonn is the current coroner for Madison County.
Adam Micun
Adam J. Micun is a candidate for Madison County coroner.
Amy Gabriel
Amy Gabriel is an attorney with The Gori Law Firm and a candidate for Madison County circuit clerk.
Tom McRae
Tom McRae is a Madison County Board member and a candidate for Madison County circuit clerk.
Crystal Uhe
Crystal Uhe is First Assistant Madison County State's Attorney and a candidate for Madison County state's attorney.
Thomas Haine
Thomas Haine is an attorney in Alton and a candidate for Madison County state's attorney.
Joe Silkwood
Joe Silkwood is the mayor of East Alton and a candidate for Madison County auditor.
David Michael
David Michael is a Madison County Board member and a candidate for Madison County Auditor.
DeAnn Rizzi
DeAnn Rizzi is a candidate for Madison County Board District 2.
Stacey Pace
Stacey Pace is a candidate for Madison County Board District 2.
Maria Ferrari
Maria Ferrari is a candidate for Madison County Board District 3.
Wiliam Meyer
William S. Meyer is a candidate for Madison County Board District 3.
Kelly Simpson
Kelly A. Simpson is a candidate for Madison County Board District 4.
Bobby Ross
Bobby Ross is a candidate for Madison County Board District 4.
Jack Minner
Jack Minner is the current Madison County Board District 18 member.
Richard Keasey
Richard Keasey is a candidate for Madison County Board District 18.
Dina Burch
Dina Burch is a candidate for Madison County Board District 19.
Aaron Messner
Aaron Messner is a candidate for Madison County Board District 19.
Kristen Novacich-Koberna
Kristen Novacich-Koberna is the current Madison County Board District 20 member.
Denise Wiehardt
Denise Wiehardt is a candidate for Madison County Board 20.
Erica Conway Hariss
Erica Conway Harriss is the current Madison Couty Board District 26 member.
Collin Vanmeter
Collin Vanmeter is a candidate for Madison County Board District 26.
Heather Mueller-Jones
Heather Mueller-Jones is the current Madison County Board District 27 member.
Paul Rydgig
Paul Rydgig is a candidate for Madison County Board District 27.
Jim Trucano
Jim Trucano is a candidate for Madison County Board District 29.
Ryan Kneedler
Ryan Kneedler is a candidate for Madison County Board District 29.
Illinois House
Judical Races
Judy Cates
Judy Cates is seeking a seat on the Illinois Supreme Court.
David Overstreet
David K. Overstreet is seeking a seat on the Illinois Supreme Court.
Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith is seeking a seat on the Fifth District Appellate Court
Mark Boie
Mark M. Boie is seeking a seat on the Fifth District Appellate Court.
Leslie Ann Wood
Leslie Ann Wood is seeking a circuit judge seat.
Steve Stobbs
Steve Stobbs is seeking a circuit judge seat.
Thomas Welch
Thomas M. Welch is seeking to remain a Fifth District Appellate Court justice.
Dennis Ruth
Dennis R. Ruth is seeking to remain a circuit judge.
Referendum
Binding Referendum
Shall the maximum tax rate for general county purposes of Madison County, Illinois, be established at 0.18 percent of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein instead of 0.20 percent, the maximum rate otherwise applicable to the next taxes to be extended?
Nonbinding Referendum
Shall members of the Illinois General Assembly change state law to stop automatic annual salary increases for legislators?
Nonbinding Referendum
Shall retired Madison County employees and officials drawing a pension be permitted to also draw a salary for service in another position as an employee, official, or independent contractor of Madison County?
Metro East Sanitary District
Shall bonds for the purpose of improvements to the Landsdowne Sewer System in the sum of $14 million be issued by the Metro East Sanitary District?
Wood River Roundhouse Advisory Referendum
Shall the City of Wood River, Illinois save the existing Roundhouse as a center for recreation and community use and suspend capital spending on the planned recreation center project?
Amendment to the Illinois Constitution
Fair Tax
The proposed amendment grants the State of Illinois authority to impose higher income tax rates on higher income levels. If passed, the current fixed income rate of 9.5% for Illinois would become a gradual one.