Election In Algonquin, LITH: Everything You Need To Know

ALGONQUIN AND LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL —Today is the day to get out and cast your ballot if you haven't already. It's hard to say how packed the polls will be as tens of thousands of voters have already cast their ballot in the Chicago area as more have decided to vote by mail or early this election.

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Here's what you need to know if you will be among those heading to the polls.

The Basics: Find Your Polling Place, What To Bring

• Where to vote: Find your polling place here (you can also find this and a sample ballot on your county clerk's website).
• If you've voted in Illinois before, you don't need to provide ID to vote
• You may need an ID if:
  • You registered to vote by mail and did not provide ID
  • An election judge challenges your right to vote.
  • If you are also registering to vote or changing your registration address on the day that you vote
• If you are already in line to vote when the polls close, you still have the right to cast your ballot

Find Updated Election News In Illinois via Patch

Voter Registration

Not sure if you're already registered to vote? You can find out here. You can still register in person through Nov. 3. Do you have questions about what you will need to register to vote? Check out this Patch.com article to make sure you are all set: Voter Registration 2020 In Illinois: 5 Things To Know.

If You Still Need To Get Your Mail-In Ballot In

• While you can't request a mail-in ballot on Election Day, you can still return it. All ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, or they will not be counted.
• Those who have concerns about their ballots being shipped via the U.S. Postal Service can also drop off completed ballots at drop boxes in McHenry County. There is a drive-up drop box available 24 hours per day at the county administration building, 667 Ware Road in Woodstock, just outside the front entrance, according to the clerk's office. Three other drop boxes will be available only during voting hours at the Huntley Park District building in Huntley, Cary Area Library in Cary and Algonquin Library in Algonquin. More on voting hours can be found below.

You Can Vote Safely In Person Despite Coronavirus. Here's How.

Let Us Know

Our journalists will be working around the clock in the coming days to report on this historical election. And we want to hear about any problems you may encounter that may prevent people from voting — for example, mail ballot delivery problems, voting location changes, long lines, registration problems, purged voter rolls, broken machines and voter intimidation.

You can e-mail McHenry County editor Amie Schaenzer at amie.schaenzer@patch.com if you spot something worth looking into.

• Tell Patch If You See Election Shenanigans In Lake Co.

Who's On My Ballot?

Depending on where you live in Algonquin and Lake in the Hills, not every ballot will be the same. You can view your sample ballot by entering your address and information on the county clerk's website.

In addition to voting in presidential, congressional, senatorial and some state and local races, Illinois voters are being asked to vote on the Graduated Income Tax Amendment.

• A "yes" vote supports repealing the state's constitutional requirement that the state personal income tax be a flat rate and instead allow the state to enact legislation for a graduated income tax.
• A "no" vote opposes this constitutional amendment, thus continuing to require that the state personal income tax be a flat rate and prohibit a graduated income tax.

Illinois Voters Asked To Decide 'Fair Tax': What You Need To Know

Presidential race: While the ballot contains candidates from the Green party, Party for Socialism and Liberation, American Solidarity party and Libertarian party, it comes down to President Donald Trump/Vice President Mike Pence vs. Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden/U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris. Check out White House Patch for the latest coverage on the election.

U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democrat Dick Durbin faces off against Republican Mark C. Curran Jr., Willie Wilson (of the Willie Wilson Party), Green party candidate David F. Black and Libertarian Danny Malouf.

• Check out our Illinois elections page for more races to watch and election-related updates as we near Election Day.

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MORE ON PATCH

• Where To Vote Early In McHenry County: Election 2020
• Tell Patch If You See Election Shenanigans In McHenry Co.
• McHenry County Coroner Referendum: Election 2020