Blog Archives

Deputy Registrar Certification Available Through County Clerk

1/27/2022

This information was adapted from the Champaign County Clerk's webpage.

A Deputy Registrar registers voters and verifies their identity at the time of registration. Because the person provides proper identification (ID, proof of current address), the person will NOT be required to show ID when they vote the first time or request a mail ballot. This process allows individuals to vote in a more efficient manner and minimizes identity concerns for election judges.

Deputy Registrar certification is for two years. Those who are current Deputy Registrars may need to recertify.

For complete information on requirements and access to online training and materials, see https://champaigncountyclerkil.gov/elections/become-deputy-registrar

Freedom to Vote in Illinois:Election Law Improves 2022 Voter Access

1/21/2022

This text was adapted from a January 21, 2022 member bulletin from Allyson E. Haut, Ph.D. President, League of Women Voters of Illinois.

Just a reminder that in June 2021, many changes were made to election law to make Illinois elections more fair and accessible, protecting the freedom to vote for all Illinois voters.

House Bill 1871

Allows election authorities to let a citizen who is temporarily or permanently disabled vote from their car on election day, monitored by two election judges.
Provides funding for secure collection sites (drop boxes) for postage-free vote by mail ballots.
Allows for the acceptance of vote by mail ballots that lack postage.

Senate Bill 825

Declares Election Day, November 8, 2022 to be a state and school holiday.
Allows voters to apply for permanent vote by mail status, eliminating the need to apply for a ballot every election. The election authority must notify qualified voters no less than 45 days before the election of the option for permanent vote by mail status.
Requires each election authority to open a vote center on election day at either the election authority site or in their largest municipality; voters can use either the vote center or their precinct polling site to vote. (Expires 1/1/2023)
Requires election authorities to implement cybersecurity measures, including biennial risk assessments and monthly vulnerability scans.
Requires high schools to provide voter registration information to students.
Requires high schools to allow nonpartisan voter registration activities on site.
Allows sheriffs to establish temporary polling places in county jails so those who have not been convicted of a crime can vote based upon their residence address.
Allows those who have been banned from running for office due to conviction for certain crimes to petition the governor for restoration of that right.
Prevents a local government from requiring that a member of the General Assembly resign from office before running for a local office.

WCIA Video Story on Misinformation (with LWVCC comments)

1/13/2022

A recent report by WCIA’s Capitol Bureau Chief, Mark Maxwell, covers a new website reputed to spread misinformation and funded by an Illinois GOP megadonor. You can see the 5:19 minute video on their YouTube site or view it below (embedded with permission). The story featured comments by Karen Fresco, LWVCC's chair of the Misinformation Task Force

From the WCIA News site:
ILGOP megadonor Ken Griffin's hedge fund holds investments in Rumble, website known for spreading misinformation. Rumble, an upstart website with a reputation for spreading misinformation about vaccines and the 2020 election, has financial ties to the wealthiest political megadonor in Illinois, according to publicly available financial documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

News-Gazette Election 2022: Candidate petitions usher in new election season (includes LWVCC comments)

1/13/2022

LWVCC participated in a story by Ethan Simmons of the News-Gazette on the upcoming primary and general election. The full article is on the News-Gazette online site and includes comments from LWVCC Voter Ready co-chairs Karen Fresco and Ann Prisland.

Some key points from the article:

Candidates for the elections may be coming to your door soon, seeking signature for petitions to run.
This year many offices are up for election due to the census and redistricting.
January 14-17, to participate in the MLK Weekend of Service, LWVCC is collaborating with student and local organizations in a virtual voter registration drive.
Vote-by-mail information including the new permanent vote-by-mail list and information on registering.
Information from Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons about polling places, drop boxes and the importance of voting.

Check out the News Gazette site to get the details.

Combating Misinformation: Special Event Invitation on Jan 19

1/12/2022

Democracy, Disinformation and Distrust: Building Citizen Capacity to Impact Mis-/Dis-information. January 19, 12-1:30 CT. Sponsored by the LWV/National Conference on Citizenship Network.

This will be a 90-minute ‘don’t miss’ event. Click here to register for this event. Featuring special guests from the National Conference on Citizenship: Matt Leighninger, Head of Democracy Innovation; and, Cameron Hickey, Project Director, Algorithmic Transparency Institute. Matt is a respected global leader in democratic innovation and his collaboration with League is long-standing. Cameron has an impressive body of Emmy award-winning work in science and technology (specifically mis- and dis-information) for the PBS NewsHour and NOVA.

Tracy Parsons Video Now Available

1/12/2022

If you missed the January 12 conversation between LWVCC and Tracy Parsons, Community Relations Manager and Compliance Officer for the City of Champaign, the video is now available on the LWVCC YouTube site. His presentation covered the main points of the Community Gun Violence Reduction Blueprint that the City of Champaign hopes to implement in the coming months and years. Check out the video for the conversation and Q & A.

Fight for Our Vote Campaign

1/11/2022

The national League of Women Voters has joined the coalition led by When We All Vote to support Congressional passage of voting rights legislation, educate voters on how to vote safely in their state, and register and turn out voters for the 2022 midterm elections. Click on https://whenweallvote.org/fight-for-our-vote/ to read the letter announcing the campaign.

Apply to Be An Election Judge!

1/6/2022

Election Judge Applications Now Being Accepted

The County Clerk encourages anyone interested in serving as an election judge in support of the Midterm Primary Election June 28, 2022 to apply now at Election Judge Application.

The Clerk's office will be in touch soon with information on training, early voting schedules, and election day sign up.

Election Judge requirements include these:

Able to use a computer and the internet accurately
Successfully complete an Election Judge training course conducted by the Clerk's office
Be a citizen of the United States and entitled to vote in the next election or a high school student serving as an election judge
Be of good repute and character and not subject to the registration requirement of the Sex Offender Registration Act
Able to speak, read, and write English fluently
Not be a candidate for any office in the election and not be elected precinct committeemen
Reside in Champaign County