Starting Monday, October 29
by Melanie Jongsma
LANSING, Ill. (October 28, 2018) – With the first week of early voting completed, hours are now extended to accommodate people who want vote after work. The Lansing Public Library is an early voting site until November 5.
Carolyn Smith has returned as an Election Equipment Manager, bringing her peaceful demeanor and essential oil diffuser. “We want to make it a pleasant experience,” she explains. “You know, friendly people and—atmosphere.”
Smith says she and her fellow managers love to see families coming in to vote together, and they applaud for first-time voters who cast their ballots. A selfie wall also gives voters a way to share their civic experience with their social networks.
Early voting is up for this election. In the first six days alone, Smith and her team have helped more than 1,200 residents vote, compared to a total of 1,077 votes at the end of the full 15 days of early voting for the March 20 election. Smith is accommodating approximately three times as many voters per day, and she predicts the daily numbers will rise as the extended hours go into effect. (Early voting totals are available in real time for all locations at cookcountyclerk.com/service/early-voting-totals.)
She’s also seeing a slight increase in first-time voters, and she points out that new technology and systems make it easy for her team to quickly input the necessary information and get people voting right away. Acceptable forms of ID include the following:
- Illinois driver’s license with current address
- Illinois State ID with current address
- Bank statement
- Lease/rental contract
- First Class mail addressed to the voter
- Other government document
- Payroll check with current address
- Utility bill in applicant’s name from within the past 30 days
- Social Security card
- Birth certificate
- Civic, union, or professional membership card
- Credit card
- Employment or student ID
- Library card
- Public aid card
- Valid US passport
- Voter registration card
To register ahead of time, visit vote.gov.
Early voting locations are available throughout Cook County, as noted on the Cook County Clerk’s website: Early Voting Locations.
The remaining early voting schedule at the Lansing Public Library is as follows:
- Sunday, October 28: 10:00am–4:00pm
- Monday–Friday, October 29–November 2: 9:00am–7:00pm
- Saturday, November 3: 9:00am–5:00pm
- Sunday, November 4: 10:00am–4:00pm
- Monday, November 5: 9:00am–5:00pm
Tuesday, November 6, is Election Day, and then voting will be available only at assigned polling places from 6:00am–7:00pm.
The Lansing Public Library is located at 2750 Indiana Avenue in Lansing, Illinois.
Thank you very much for the article. I just can’t say enough about the wonderful team of Sheller Washington (lead), Linda Powell, and Cathy Hooker as well as our steadfast support from the administration, training and support facets of Cook County Elections.
We have a team of diverse educators and entrepreneurs that are dedicated to the principles of delivering a fair election process and providing great customer service to the electorate. We also cook for each other and give patronage to the local businesses.
Thank you for promoting the election process and we look forward to the march on Friday. We are committed to serving all who come.
Thank you for stopping by The Lansing Journal’s website to post a comment! And thank you for the faithful service you, Sheller, Linda, and Cathy provide to Lansing voters. I have heard a lot of comments from people who enjoyed their early voting experience at the Lansing Public Library. 🙂
The Lansing Public Library is great in their hospitality and support of the election process. It is a great atmosphere that is fueled by incredible people who embody the meaning of community learning and possibility.
Many thanks to their team!