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Election Day FAQ

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When are the polls open?

Polling places open Tuesday at 6 a.m. and are open until 7 p.m. All voters who are in line at the polling place by 7 p.m. will be accommodated.

What should I expect on Election Day?

Due to a very high voter turnout, voters should prepare to wait in line at this election, depending on the time of day they arrive. While this will not be the case at all times, lines are more likely during the early morning hours, during lunch hour and after work hours. If your schedule is flexible, you may want to consider voting at mid-morning or during the early afternoon which are less busy times. Please bring your patience to the polling place!

What do I need to bring?

At this time, photo identification is not mandatory on Election Day in Illinois. However, first-time voters who have registered by a mail-in form (rather than in person or at a driver&#8218;s license facility) may be asked to show photo ID in order to verify identity. Voter registration cards are also not required.

What should I leave at home?

Campaign shirts, hats and buttons. Please do not wear items supporting candidates to the polling place. This is considered "electioneering". If you wear these things, you will not be denied the right to vote, but you will be asked to remove hats and buttons and to turn campaign shirts inside out or cover them with jackets. Do everyone a favor and leave campaign-related items at home.

Where do I vote?

There have been no polling place changes since the last election. Your voter registration card lists your polling place. A list of all polling places was recently published and is also available at www.perrycountyil.org. The on-line list also has links to maps which may help. You may call the County Clerk's office at 357-5116 if you are still unsure.

What do I do if my name isn't on the voter list at the polling place?

Your name should appear on the voter list if you have previously registered and have not moved. If your name can not be found, election judges will attempt to determine your registration status and ensure you are at the correct polling place. If you believe you are rightfully registered but not found on the active voter list anywhere in the County, you are eligible to cast a provisional ballot and later present evidence of your registration if you have it.

What is on the ballot?

All voters will see a statewide question on the calling of a Constitutional Convention; candidates for federal, state and county offices; and questions of judicial retention for appellate and circuit judges. Voters residing the Village of Tamaroa may vote a question regarding a non-home rule sales tax increase. Voters residing in the Pinckneyville Community Hospital District may vote on a non-binding advisory question regarding the hospital's Skilled Care Unit.

How is my ballot presented?

Voters may choose to vote on paper optical scan ballots or on a touch screen voting machine. Voters using optical scan ballots use markers to darken ovals by their choices, then feed their ballot through the optical scanner and into the ballot box as they leave the polling place. Voters using the touch screen machines will touch their ballot choices on a screen, then verify their selections on a paper audit record before casting their ballots. Touch screen machines can be especially useful for the visually impaired and those with unsteady hands. Since there is only one touch-screen machine per polling place, there may be longer waits for those using the touch-screen method.

How can I find out what is on the ballot prior to voting?

Sample ballots were published in local newspapers earlier this week. A sample ballot is also on the County&#8218;s web site at www.perrycountyil.org . Sample ballots are also posted in each polling place on Election Day. It will help ease lines in the polling places if voters have studied the ballot and are prepared to make their selections once obtaining their ballot.

What if I make a mistake while voting?

If you are voting on a touch-screen machine, you may change your selections at any time prior to casting your ballot. If you are voting an optical scan paper ballot, you may spoil your original ballot sheet by returning it to the judges and obtaining another.

How can I get election results Tuesday night.

The County's web site will have a link to real-time election night results as they become available on Tuesday night. The site is www.perrycountyil.org. Results will be updated continuously until all precincts have reported their unofficial totals.