Got Voter Angst? Here’s the Info You Need on Election Day
OK, you wake up on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016, and realize it’s ELECTION DAY! Except for the presidential and maybe the U.S. Senate candidates, you have no idea who or what is on the ballot. Where’s your polling place? What are the voting hours? Is there a place to go if you need help?
Don’t panic. You can find all the information you need very easily — and online.
This quick ‘n’ easy primer should help ease some of that election-day angst. Be sure to scroll down to the end, but among the items you’ll find are where to find sample ballots and voter guides online, voting hours and polling places, visual “how to’s” for reading your voter card and using the eSlate voting machines, how to get assistance if you need it, how to report electioneering if you see it and, finally, where you can find local election results at the end of the day.
For more information, kanecountyelections.org/
Preparing to Vote
Where to Find Sample Ballots Online
- Aurora Election Commission Sample Ballots
- Kane County Clerk’s Office Sample Ballots — Click “Sample Ball0ts (clickable)”
Where to Find the Kane County Voters Guide for Nov. 8 General Election
When and Where to Vote on March 15
Voting Hours
- Polling place hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 8, 2016.
Where to Vote (Polling Places)
- Kane County Elections: Click Here for List of Polling Places
- Aurora Election Commission: Click Here for List of Polling Places in Aurora
Kane County Voter Registration Card Explanation
SOURCE: Kane County Clerk’s Office Voter Information Guide
How to Vote Using eSlate
SOURCE: Kane County Clerk’s Office website, Voter’s Guide
The process for voting hasn’t changed, just the device you are using to vote. When you go to the polls, you will still sign an application as always. Once you have signed your application, instead of receiving your punch card, you will receive a piece of paper with a four digit number on it. You then take the piece of paper with you to any one of the voting booths. You will then enter the four digit number into the eSlate™, the appropriate ballot will appear, and you will then vote the ballot. (How to vote is show in the demonstrations below.)
Click on one of the links below to watch a video demonstrating the new system:
eSlate™ How to Vote Video
- Download English Version – Mpeg Movie~Broadband
- Download Spanish Version – Mpeg Movie~Broadband
- Download English Version – Windows Media~Dial-up
- Download Spanish Version – Windows Media ~Dial-up
Voting Assistance
Bilingual Assistance
Signage/Ballots
The Clerk’s Office is required to provide language assistance in Spanish under amendments to the Federal Voting Act of 1992.
All posters, ballots and voting instructions are bilingual (English/Spanish).
Bilingual Election Judges
The Clerk’s Office makes an effort to assign bilingual election judges in as many precincts as we can to accommodate Spanish-speaking voters who are not proficient in English and may need special assistance at the polls.
Language Hotlines
If a voter is confused or needs language assistance, the voter or an election judge can also call our Spanish hotline. A bilingual staffer at the Clerk’s Office will provide assistance over the phone. Voters may also call these hotlines prior to Election Day.
Assistance for Persons With Disabilities
eSlate Voting Language Options
Each machine is equipped with ballots in English and Spanish, allowing the voter to select a language on the eSlate before voting.
In addition, any voter may request an audio ballot, which allows the voter to listen to the ballot using a headset that is connected to an eSlate machine. Audio ballots are available in English and Spanish, and may be particularly helpful to voters with limited reading skills.
Pre-Election Day Services
Voting by mail for voters with disabilities – For voters who are permanently physically disabled and unable to make it to the polling place.
Nursing home voting – For nursing home residents.
Hospitalized voters – For voters who enter the hospital five days or less before an election.
Disabled Access Units
The Help America Vote Act requires that election authorities throughout the country have voting equipment in place for voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently.
Every polling place in Kane County has at least one disabled access unit. The disable access unit is an ADA compliant booth that accommodates voters in wheelchairs. Disabled access units provide audio in English and Spanish to accommodate voters who are blind, severely visually impaired, or have trouble reading. The units also have jelly switches to accommodate voters with mobility issues.
Assisting a Voter
If you have difficulty making selections on the eSlate voting equipment, you may request assistance from a friend, relative or two election judges (one from each party) in your precinct.
Under state law, both the voter and the individual(s) providing assistance must sign a legal affidavit at the polling place.
Handicapped Accessibility
All Kane County precincts are accessible to disabled voters, outfitted with ramps, level entrances and/or elevators.
How to Report Illegal Election Activity on Election Day
Anyone who experiences or witnesses any possible illegal election activity, such as electioneering, illegally placed campaign signs or denial of voting rights at any of Kane County’s 228 voting precincts should call the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office hotline at (630) 208-5328.
Where to Find Local Election Results
It’s important to know, if you are keeping track of countywide election totals, that you have to add up the votes of the Aurora Election Commission with those of the Kane County Clerk’s Office.
SOURCE: Kane County Clerk’s Office, Aurora Election Commission websites
