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.

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.

Credits

Editor

Brittany Johnson • bjohnson@edwpub.net