Early Voting: Illinois voters may vote earlier than ever

              WHEN CAN PEOPLE VOTE?
The primary election is February 5, 2008, six weeks earlier than the last Illinois primary. Another change allows Illinois voters to vote as early as January 14.
WHAT IS EARLY VOTING?
Illinois voters may cast a ballot prior to Election Day without having to provide a reason or an excuse for wanting to vote early.
WHEN IS EARLY VOTING CONDUCTED?
Registered voters can vote early during the 22nd day through the 5th day preceding an election. Early voting will begin on Monday, January 14, 2008, and end on Thursday, January 31, 2008.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE VOTE?
Election authorities across the state will announce the locations of early voting centers. In almost all cases, the early voting centers will be different from the voters’ regular polling place. Early voting must be done by personal appearance.
WHO AUTHORIZED EARLY VOTING?
The Illinois General Assembly approved House Bill 1968 in 2005, and it was signed into law as 10 ILCS 5/19A.
DO MANY PEOPLE VOTE EARLY?
In the 2006 general election, counting absentee voting, almost 9% of the votes were cast before Election Day.
DO OTHER STATES ALLOW EARLY VOTING?
Yes. At least 35 states have some form of early voting.
IS ABSENTEE VOTING STILL ALLOWED?
Yes. Absentee voting laws remain in place. Persons who desire an absentee ballot should contact their local election authority for an application or for more information.
WHAT ARE THE SAFEGUARDS AGAINST VOTER FRAUD?
Voters casting an early ballot must display valid identification such as a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.
The requirement of photo identification for an early voter is stricter than other identification requirements for people casting a ballot at their polling place on Election Day.
The votes cast during the early voting time period will not be counted until Election Day.
IF I VOTE EARLY, BUT CHANGE MY MIND, MAY I VOTE ON ELECTION DAY?
No. The law prohibits a person who voted during the early voting period from voting again on Election Day.
IS THIS ELECTION LIMITED TO VOTING FOR PRESIDENT?
No. Candidates for U.S. Senate, Representatives in Congress, State Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly, certain county offices and judges will be nominated in the primary.
WILL PRESIDENTIAL DELEGATES BE ELECTED?
Yes. At the primary, voters will elect delegates to the National Nominating Conventions.
Local party officials also will be elected. In every county except Cook, primary voters will elect precinct committeemen. In Chicago, ward committeemen will be elected.
IN A PRIMARY, WHY MUST A VOTER CHOOSE A POLITICAL PARTY?
The primary election system is established by state law. A voter can vote for candidates of one political party only.
In some areas, nonpartisan candidates or referenda may be voted on in a primary, and if a voter does not want to declare a party affiliation, he or she may request a nonpartisan ballot only.