| Voter Registration Closes October 10th 9/28/2006 - For Immediate Release For Information Call
September 22, 2006 Tom Leach 312-269-7857
E-Mail: tleach@chicagoelections.net
Voter Registration
Closes October 10th
Voter registration for the November 7, 2006 General Election will officially close on Tuesday, October 10th, reminds the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
Chicago Election Chairman Langdon D. Neal said that there are hundreds of opportunities for Chicagoans to qualify to vote. Potential registrants can visit the Board’s Website, www.chicagoelections.com, where they can download a mail-in voter registration form. These mail-in registration forms must be postmarked by midnight, October 10, Chairman Neal noted.
In addition, he said, all facilities of the Chicago Public Library take voter registration during normal business hours through the October 10th deadline. There are more than 80 library facilities throughout the city.
Voter registration also is available through the volunteer deputy registrar program. More than 8,000 volunteer deputy registrars are qualified to take voter registrations through the October 10th deadline.
Even after the official close of voter registration on October 10, a state law that went into effect this year provides potential voters with a two week reprieve under the “grace period” registration program. The new legislation provides for in-person voter registration from October 11th through October 24th, whereby a person may register in the office of the election authority following the normal close of registration.
In Chicago, this means that “grace period” registrants must go to the offices of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, 69 W. Washington, 6th Floor, during
normal business hours. Anyone registering during the “grace period” will be required to cast a ballot at the time that they register. They cannot cancel this ballot and then vote on election day, Commissioner Neal pointed out.
“The upcoming election involves a number of important offices, from federal to state to county” Chairman Neal said. “I urge all persons to register and vote so their voice can be heard. Every vote counts.”
To qualify to register, a person need only be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age by election day. For information concerning registration, Chicagoans can call the Election Board, 312-269-7900, or visit the www.chicagoelections.com website.
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