Early voting begins Jan 11 in Orland Park

CORRECTION TO THE RELEASE BELOW:

State law has actually changed for absentee voting. People no longer need a reason or excuse to qualify for an absentee ballot. Clerk Orr has long been a proponent of so-called "no-excuse" or "no-fault" absentee voting because it opens up another convenient avenue for people to cast their ballot.
-- RAY HANANIA

Early Voting Comes to Orland Park January 11

Voter Registration for February 2 Primary Ends January 5

      ORLAND PARK, IL – The Orland Park Village Clerk’s Office is gearing up for its Early Voting Program for the February 2 Gubernatorial Election. Early voting will be available January 11 to January 28 at Orland Park’s Frederick T. Owens Village Hall.

“We’re getting the information out now so that everyone who wants to vote in the Gubernatorial Primary Election is aware of the important dates coming up,” said Orland Park Village Clerk David Maher.

      Voter registration for the 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election closes on January 5 at 5:00 p.m. Those registering must be United States citizens and at least eighteen years old on or before February 2, 2010.

      “Young adults who will turn eighteen between January 5 and February 2 may register to vote now because they will be eligible to vote by Election Day,” Maher explained.

      Voter registration is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

      Orland Park has again been named an early voting site for the February 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election. Early voting at Orland Park’s Frederick T. Owens Village Hall will be offered for all registered Cook County voters January 11 through January 28, 2010.

      “We’ve had a great response each time we’ve hosted early voting,” said Orland Park Deputy Village Clerk Joe LaMargo. “Having more than one day to cast their ballots makes it more convenient for all voters,” he added, noting that Orland Park has been one of the top Cook County early voting sites since the Cook County Clerk’s Office began the program.

      Early voting in Orland Park will be available January 11 through January 28, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Early voting will also be available on Saturday, January 16 and 23 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

     “We were very pleased with our numbers from past Early Voting Programs and we’re happy to again offer this service for all suburban Cook County residents,” Maher said. “You don’t have to live in Orland Park to vote early here. You simply must be a registered suburban Cook County voter,” he added.

      Offices being considered in 2010 include U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, some State Senators, State Representatives, Cook County Board President, Cook County Commissioners, Cook County Assessor, Cook County Clerk, Cook County Treasurer, Cook County Sheriff, Appellate and Circuit Court Judges, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioners, Regional Superintendent of Schools and Democratic, Republican and Green Party Township Committeemen.

     “An excuse is not required to vote early,” Maher said. “This is a convenient service for the voters of suburban Cook County,” the clerk said.

      To vote early, individuals must be registered to vote and have a government issued identification card, i.e., a valid driver’s license or state identification card.

      In-person absentee voting is no longer available in the Orland Park Village Clerk’s Office; however, applications to receive absentee ballots by mail are available or can be downloaded from the Clerk’s Office area on the village’s website at www.orland-park.il.us.

      “Absentee voting is not available at the Clerk’s Office. This is why we’re encouraging suburban Cook County voters to take advantage of the Early Voting Program,” Maher said.

      A legitimate excuse is required to vote absentee by mail. “Parents whose kids are away at college can ask that an absentee ballot be mailed to them,” LaMargo said. Absentee voting is also convenient for homebound voters. 

      Orland Park’s Village Clerk’s Office is located off the main lobby of the Frederick T. Owens Village Hall, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue.  Along with voter registration and being the official record keeper for the village, the Clerk’s Office includes the village’s Office of Special Services.

       “People can apply for and have their pictures taken for passports, seek veterans’ assistance and register to vote all in one place,” LaMargo said.

      Further information or to request that an absentee ballot be mailed to a Cook County voter, either homebound or out of town is available by calling the Orland Park Village Clerk’s Office at 708/403-6150.

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Early voting for the February 2 Gubernatorial Primary Election will be available for all registered suburban Cook County voters January 11 to 28, 2010 at Orland Park’s Frederick T. Owens Village Hall, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue. Further information is available by calling the Village Clerk’s Office at 708/403-6150.