• Editor’s Note: This article was updated to include a link to the Aurora Election Commission sample-ballot page.

Did you know that you can get a personalized sample ballot prior to voting in the Nov. 8 General Election?

That’s right, Mr. or Ms. Kane County Voter, your very own sample ballot — designed to show exactly which candidates and what referendums you’ll have the opportunity to vote on. And it can be viewed, downloaded and printed with a few simple clicks of the mouse.

• Go to www.kanecountyelections.org to find your sample ballot!
• Click this link for the Aurora Election Commission sample ballot!

Why You Should Check It Out

I, Kane County citizen Rick Nagel, just went onto the Kane County Clerk’s site to check out my sample ballot, and I really love it. The great thing about a personalized sample is that you don’t have to wade through all the names and ballot questions that you might find on (the also excellent) newspaper websites or (equally awesome) 2016 General Election Voter Guide. On your personalized sample ballot, you’ll only see the candidates and referendums that apply to you and your neck of the woods.

For example, I live in Geneva and vote in County Board District 12. My representative is John Hoscheit, and he’s running unopposed in the Nov. 8 election. Folks who live in other districts will have other candidates to choose from and won’t see County Board District 12 on their sample ballots. Some of those County Board races are contested, others are not. By checking out the sample ballot, you’ll know at a glance what decisions you’ll have to make as a voter, giving you a chance to do your homework and make an informed decision prior to casting your ballot.

As another example, there are four referendums on various ballots in Kane County. One is statewide, the “Proposed Amendment to the 1970 Illinois Constitution,” which is sometimes referred to as the Safe Roads Amendment. There are good arguments for and against that amendment, so you should consider studying up.

But the other three referendums won’t be on every Kane County ballot. They involve voters who live within the boundaries of Central Community Unit School District Number 301, Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District and the Fox River Valley Public Library District.

If you’re not sure whether you live within the borders of those districts, no worries! That’s the beauty of the personalized sample ballot: You don’t have to Google boundary maps and consult your voter registration card — you can just look at the sample ballot to see which referendums you’ll be voting on come Nov. 8.

How Does It Work?

Finding your sample ballot is easy.

(1) Go to the www.kanecountyelections.org homepage.

(2) Next to “Find … “, fill in the fields asking your last name, house number and street name, and click the “Submit” button.

The names of all the voters in your household will appear. Click on your name, and voila! You’ll see your “Voter Information” page.

(3) Click on “Sample Ballot (clickable)”

It’s located under the “Sample Ballot” subhead, as shown below.

When you click those blue letters, the magic popup window allows you to …

(4) Peruse your personalize sample ballot!

It’s that easy!

You can also download and print simply by clicking the icons in the upper right corner of the screen. Then all you have to do is …

(5) Go vote!

Read More Election Articles on Kane County Connects

• 4 Referendums on Nov. 8 Ballots in Kane County
• Quick Quiz: Who’s on the Nov. 8 Ballot in Kane County, IL? (If You Don’t Know, Click Here)
• Kane County Voter Information Guide
• 4 Deadlines You Should Keep in Mind for Nov. 8 Elections
• Clerk’s Office Begins Promotional Campaign for Early Voting in November Election
• County Clerk Strongly Recommends Voting Early in November Election
• Help Wanted! County Clerk’s Office Seeks Election Judges for Nov. 8 Polling Places
• ‘The Candidate Shortage Is Worse Than Ever’ — Kane County Clerk Publishes 2017 Candidates Guide
• Candidate Sign-Up Is Under Way for 2017 Local Elections