THE FOLLOWING IS AN ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE RELEASE
Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today encouraged voters to know their rights ahead of Nov. 3 Election Day. It has been the longstanding practice of the Attorney General’s office to monitor elections in Illinois to ensure that voters’ rights are protected and polling places are accessible.
Today is the last day for early voting in Illinois, and tomorrow is Election Day. Under state law, voters may cast a ballot prior to Election Day without having to provide a reason for wanting to vote early. Voters should check with their local election authorities for the most current information on voting regulations, which can be located using the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Voters can confirm the location of their polling places for Election Day with their local election authorities or the State Board of Elections.
“Voters can have confidence that our elections are safe and secure and can rest assured that in Illinois, we are focused on protecting their rights and facilitating their access to the ballot box,” Raoul said. “The right to vote is our most fundamental right as Americans, and it is imperative that, regardless of who you vote for or how you vote, you make your voice heard by or on Nov. 3.”
Raoul urged voters to call his office if they encounter suspected improper or illegal activity. Voters in Chicago and northern Illinois can call 1-866-536-3496, and voters in central and southern Illinois can call 1-866-559-6812. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities can reach the office by using the 711 relay service. The hotlines are open now and will remain open through Nov. 17.
Attorney General Raoul reminded voters of some of their basic voting rights under Illinois law:
- Voters have the right to vote if they are in line when the polls close at 7 p.m. or at any other time between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Election Day (10 ILCS 5/17-1).
- If a voter makes a mistake or “spoils” a paper ballot and the voter has not cast the ballot, the voter has the right to receive a replacement ballot (10 ILCS 5/17-11).
- If a voter cannot read, has trouble understanding English, or has a disability, that voter has the right to request voting assistance from anyone other than his or her employer, an agent of his or her employer, or an officer or agent of his or her union (10 ILCS 5/17-14).
- Voters have the right to take unpaid time from work to vote, but no more than two successive hours, as long as they have applied with their employer before Election Day. The employer may set the time of day (10 ILCS 5/17-15).
- No one is allowed to try to influence a voter within 100 feet of the polling place (10 ILCS 5/17-29).
- Under Illinois law, it is a crime to prevent a person from voting or registering to vote using intimidation, force, threat or deception (10 ILCS 5/29-4).
