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 A change in state law moved up the general primary
election to Feb. 5, six weeks earlier than previous Illinois primary
elections.
The early voting law, effective in Illinois for the
first time in a presidential election, allows voters to cast a
ballot Jan. 14-31.
Early voting will be conducted in the Office of the
County Clerk at the Logan County Courthouse during office hours,
from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
State law requires that a registered voter show
valid photo identification before voting early. Voters casting an
early ballot must display a current driver's license, a state-issued
ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.
The law prohibits a person who voted during the
early voting period from voting at their regular polling place on
Feb. 5. The votes cast during the early voting time period will be
counted on the day of the primary election.
Prior to 2006, voters who wanted to vote early had
to request an absentee ballot and offer a reason, such as being
physically incapacitated or out of the county on the election day.
Since absentee voting laws remain in place, those people can still
cast an absentee vote by providing a reason as required under law.
Requests for absentee applications may be made at this time by
phone, in person or by mail.
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 Approximately 9 percent of the vote cast in the 2006
general election was cast early, either by absentee ballot or the
new early voting designation, according to the Illinois State Board
of Elections. The last day for normal voter registration is Jan. 8.
Litterly reminds voters that the state of Illinois
has a "closed" primary election on Feb. 5, which requires a voter to
designate a party and cast a ballot to nominate individuals of that
party to run in the general election in November. The only offices
elected in the primary are precinct committeemen and presidential
delegates.
For more information about early voting, absentee,
voting eligibility or polling plates, contact the Logan County Clerk
Elections Division at 217-732-4148.
[Text received from
file received from Sally J. Litterly,
Logan County clerk]
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