Voting In Palos: Everything You Need To Know

PALOS, IL — The most talked about day of the year -- Nov. 3, 2020 -- is finally here. Early voting totals from the Cook County Clerk show that 8,474 people have cast their votes early at the Palos Heights Recreation Center. Can I still register to vote? Where is my polling place?

>>> Come back when the polls close for election results.

If you put off voting early or if you’re a traditionalist who enjoys the excitement of voting in person on Election Day, you’ll need to vote at your assigned polling place. We don’t know if the lines will be long at the polls but wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to wait in line. Many supporters of President Trump have expressed their intentions to vote on the actual Election Day.

Patch has compiled helpful links and info for the upcoming Illinois presidential election on Nov. 3, 2020.

Voting Hours

Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, 2020. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you will still be allowed to vote.

Where To Vote

Early voting ended Monday, so if you intend to vote on Election Day, you have to go to your regular polling place. Suburban Cook County residents can find a sample ballot and assigned polling location on Your Voter Information available on the Cook County Clerk website.

Same-Day Registration

If you missed the voter registration deadline or grace period registration, you can take advantage of same-day registration and then cast your ballot on Election Day at your home precinct only.. Find your polling location on the Cook County Clerk’s Your Voter Information tool.

You must bring two pieces of identification, one with your current address. Acceptable forms of identification include a U.S. passport, military ID, school/college/ work ID, driver’s license or state ID.

First-class mail addressed to a voter may also be used as ID, such as a bill, transcript or report card from school; bank statement, pay stub or pension statement; utility, medical or insurance bill or piece of official mail from any government agency.

A voter who needs ID, but who cannot present ID, may cast a Provisional Ballot on Election Day. In order for that Provisional Ballot to be counted, the voter must present ID within 7 days of the election to the Cook County Clerk's office, 69 W. Washington St., Suite 500, Chicago.

Mail-In Ballots

If you requested a mail-in ballot it must be postmarked on Nov. 3, 2020 in order to be counted. Take it the post office or drop it off in the secure drop box at any location that was used for early voting, in this case, the Palos Heights Recreation Center, . 6601 W 127TH St. or find an early voting location where secure drop boxes will be available on Election Day.

PLEASE NOTE: Mail-in ballot drop boxes will NOT be at regular polling places.

If you requested a mail-in ballot but never received it, you can vote at your home precinct and sign an affidavit station you did not receive your ballot.

Graduated Income Tax 'Fair Tax' Amendment

In addition to voting on president, some state and local races, voters are also 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.

Cook County Judges

Voters are permitted to bring newspaper endorsements, printouts, sample ballots and smart phones to view judicial evaluations into the voting booth.

VoteForJudges.org offers non-partisan information on all the judicial candidates from 13 bar associations.

Problems, Shenanigans At The Polls

Report polling problems and other shenanigans to the Cook County Clerk Election Day legal hotline at (312) 603-0236 or the Cook County State's Attorney at (312) 603-7960. Then let Patch know.

Who’s on my ballot?

Presidential Candidates - 4-year term

Donald J. Trump and Michael R. Pence - Republican

Joseph R. Biden and Kamala Harris - Democrat

Howie Hawkins and Angela Walker - Green Party

Gloria La Riva and Leonard Peltier - Socialism and Liberation Party

Brian Carroll and Amar Patel - American Solidarity Party

Jo Jorgensen and Jeremy 'Spike' Cohen - Libertarian

U.S. Senate - 6 year term

Richard J. Durbin - Democrat
Mark Curran - Republican

Willie L. Wilson - Willie Wilson Party

David F. Black - Green Party

Danny Malouf - Libertarian

U.S. Representative, 1st Congressional District

Bobby Rush - Democrat

Philanise White - Republican

U.S. Representative, 3rd Congressional District

Marie Newman - Democrat

Mike Fricilone - Republican

Cook County State’s Attorney - 4-year term

Kim Foxx - Democrat

Pat O’Brien - Republican

Brian Dennehy - Libertarian

Cook County Circuit Court Clerk

Iris Y. Martinez - Democratic

Barbara Bellar - Republican

Commissioner, Cook County Board of Review

State Representatives,

State Senators

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Judges

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