Jun 28, 2022 was the voter’s chance to exercise their right – to do just that VOTE. On this day, your local polling place was open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. so you had plenty of time to vote. This is a reminder that your vote does matter. Why do you ask? The primary election allowed registered voters to elect a candidate of their political party to represent them during the general election in November. The General Election will be held on Nov. 8th.

Here is what you need to know about and do in order to vote during an election:

1.  Be a U.S. citizen
2.  Be a resident of Illinois for at least 30 days
3.  Be at least 18 years old

If you want to Early Vote or absentee/mail-in vote please check with your local state’s board of elections as soon as possible. Make sure your voter registration is up to date. I know that the process can seem overwhelming, but it is essential that you represent yourself and what you feel is in the best interest of our democracy.

In order to vote for your chosen candidate, I suggest you seek out information on the individual. What do they stand for? Who do they represent? How is their campaign being financed? What is their political record on voting? These questions and the answers to them will allow for educated decisions on who should get your vote. In order to do so, research the candidates on reputable sites like Ballotpedia.

Use the state’s website to find information about the candidates and their positions on issues that are being voted on. I would suggest researching some specific statistics on voter turnout to see how your one vote can make a difference. I can, with confidence, state that you might not be the only person who believes that their one vote does not matter but if a great number of the people feel the same way and do not exercise their vote then there is little to complain about if your candidate does not win. There are many places where you can find information on the candidates and their platforms. My suggestion is you look at their sites, and perhaps even attend a rally that allows you to make the best judgment on where your vote should go. The not-for-profit organization, Election Project is one such organization that can provide state-by-state voter turnout in the last election as well as provide you with a look at voter demographics. 

Prior to voting, do your research and find out what candidate best represents you, and remember gone are the days when you should feel pressured to vote for a straight-party ticket, there is no better time than now to make the best choices for our government representatives. I am sure that it might seem a bit overwhelming however the best place to begin is at the beginning: Find out if you are registered to vote, find out where your voting location is and make a plan for the day. Remember that your employer is required to give you time off to vote so use it accordingly. Your state will provide you with a number of resources to assist you in the voting process from where to vote to information on what is required of you to vote. The state of Illinois general election again is being held on Nov. 8. 2022, make sure to get out there and vote.