Dana Nelson, Whiteside County Clerk, submitted the following information for Whiteside County voters, regarding registration, changes of address, and absentee voting.
Nelson reminds all County residents that the last day for voter registration and change of address for the March 18, 2014, General Primary Election, is Tuesday, February 18, at all Deputy Registrar locations and at the County Clerk’s office. Courthouse hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Take the time now to check your voter registration card and make sure that you are registered at the correct address.
Nelson would also like to remind citizens that they may register by mail. Voter Registration Applications are available at most post offices and government offices throughout the County. There is also an application on the Whiteside County website www.whiteside.org that can be printed and mailed into the County Clerk’s office. The Voter Registration Applications must bear a postmark of no later than Tuesday, February 18, in order to vote in the March 18 Election.
Any voter who has once registered in Whiteside County and is unsure as to whether he/she is currently registered should check their voter registration card, issued by the County Clerk’s office. If the name, address, and precinct are correct, you are eligible to vote. For further clarification contact the County Clerk’s office at 815-772-5189 for more information.
With the General Primary Election a little more than a month away, County Clerk Nelson said that it is time to turn attention to voting–more specifically, absentee voting. Illinois election law provides that 40 days before an election, qualified voters can request an application for an absentee ballot from their local County Clerk.
A voter no longer needs to specify a reason for casting an absentee ballot. The voter needs to contact Nelson’s office; she will send you an application that needs to be filled out and returned to her office. Once the application has been received, the ballot will be mailed to the voter. Voters may come into her office and vote in person.
Absentee voting will be offered during regular office hours between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. In-person absentee voting will also be offered on Saturday, March 8 and 15, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The last day to vote in-person absentee is Monday, March 17.
A registered voter may also vote an absentee ballot by mail. Nelson noted that mail applications for absentee ballot must be received by the election authority no later than Thursday, March 13.
To request an absentee ballot call the County Clerk’s office at 815-772-5189.