America 2020

During this time of Covid, I’m living with some free-flowing anxiety about going out. But there are two extremely important things we all can, and should, accomplish as Americans, while staying safely at home.

One is filling out our Census. It’s written into the Constitution! It takes two minutes online, and it is vital for countless reasons. Two of these are:
Congressional Districts are allocated by population, as is funding for schools.

Please fill out your Census, whether you’re a citizen or not, for the good of us all.

The second is voting, also in the Constitution. People all over the world struggle and have died for the right to vote. Even in our own country folks stand in line for hours, sometimes in terrible weather to exercise their right to vote. Plan ahead for the November 3, 2020 election.

If you want to vote by mail, request the form right now. Ballots will be mailed beginning September 24, 2020.

Please remind friends and family how vital these two simple things are for every one of us.

By Dara Salk

Here’s more information, courtesy for Pat Wilder

Here’s the new voting information that was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.

If you voted in the 2018, 1019 or 2020  election, you will receive  a Vote by Mail (VBM) APPLICATION for a ballot (not a ballot) in the mail by August 1.

If you’re registered but did not vote, you’ll receive information about how to apply for it in late July.

If you’re not registered to vote or need to change your address, you can do it online at ova.election.il.gov by October 18.  You can also register in person when you vote or on Election Day.

You’ll be able to apply for VBM ballots online and print them so you can do it from home or other places computers are available, like libraries. This is especially helpful if you registered to vote this summer or fall. 

Actual VBM ballots will be mailed (to those who have applied) after September 24 and must be returned to a secured collection box or postmarked by November 3. The collection boxes are new.  You won’t have to pay the postage to return them. 

Early voting days and hours will be expanded to 20 days before the election. 

Election Day, November 3, 2020 will be a state holiday.

Curbside voting will be available for any reason at polling places and at Early Voting sites so you don’t have to go inside to vote.

Anyone over the age of 16 may serve as election judges.