"The most important thing we can do as citizens is vote.  No matter whom you vote for, I encourage you to cast a ballot."

-Senator Don Harmon, Oak Park Democratic Committeeman

   As we head into the 2007 local elections, voters are growing more familiar with our new voting equipment.  If you would like more information (or a "refresher" course),  on the new voting equipment is listed below, please scroll down.

    To confirm you are registered to vote, the best source for information are the folks responsible for elections in Oak Park, the Cook County Clerk.  The Cook County Clerk is the election official for all of suburban Cook County.  If you're not registered to vote and would like to register, contact the Democratic Party of Oak Park at (708) 386-0090 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , and we'll get you registered.

    The local election is on Tuesday, April 17, 2007.  Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.  Oak Park offices up for election include Oak Park Village Trustee, District 97 and District 200 Boards of Education, Park District of Oak Park Trustee, and Oak Park Public Library Trustee.  Oak Park voters will also select Trustees for the Triton College Board.

    Though the Democratic Party of Oak Park does not make formal endorsements in local Oak Park races, you are encouraged to take a ballot and vote.  As information becomes available on early voting opportunities, you will find it here.    

    If you know you'll not be in town on April 17 to vote, and you'll not be able to utilize early voting, you'll need an Absentee Ballot.  Call (708) 386-0090 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and we'll get an Absentee Ballot Application out to you.  Make sure to leave your name, VOTING ADDRESS, and a phone number where you can be reached.

OPTICAL SCAN VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

1.  The optical scan voting machine uses a paper ballot.  The sample ballot in this pamphlet is designed to look similar to the optical scan ballot.  Most voters will use an optical scan ballot to vote.

2.  Once you have been given a ballot, no one but you should touch the ballot unless you ask for help.  Your vote is personal, and no one needs to know how you voted.

3.  Make certain to clearly fill in or make an ‘X’ in the circle next to the person you are voting for.  If you mark outside of the circle, your vote may not count.  If you would like to vote for a write-in candidate, write the name on the line provided and mark the circle next to the write-in space.   You are not required to vote in every race.

4.  Once you have completed voting, place the ballot under the privacy shield provided by an Election Judge.

5.  Insert your ballot into the optical scan machine.  If there is an overvote or an error, the machine will return your ballot.  If you have made a mistake, ask an Election Judge for a new ballot. 

TOUCH-SCREEN VOTING INSTRUCTIONS

1.  An Election Judge will give you a card authorizing the machine to allow you to vote.  Insert the card into the yellow slot on the machine until it ‘clicks.’  The card will remain in the machine until you’re done voting.

2.  To vote for a candidate, touch the candidate’s name on the screen.  If you would like to change the candidate press the ‘X’ and choose a different candidate.  To write in a candidate, select ‘write-in’ and type in the name of the candidate and press ‘ok.’  To move on to the next screen, press ‘continue’ on the screen.  If you’d like to go back to a previous screen, press ‘go back.’

3.  Once you reach the last screen of the ballot, a “Review Screen” will appear.  Any races you skipped will appear in red.  If you would like to make a change, select the race.  When you’ve voted, press ‘continue’ until you reach the Review Screen.

4.  Once you’ve completed voting on the touch-screen, print the paper record of your vote.  The print record will appear in the sealed printer, and you should review the print record for accuracy.  Once you’ve reviewed the record, press ‘cast ballot’ to finish voting.  The paper record of your vote will be stored secretly in the printer compartment.  The card from step 1 will eject.  Return the card to an Election Judge.

The information presented above is based on information provided by the Cook County Clerk, and is prepared as accurately as possible.  For more information on the new voting equipment, visit the Cook County Clerk’s web site, www.voterinfonet.com or call the Clerk’s office at (312) 603-0906.  If you have any other questions or concerns, even on Election Day, call the Democratic Party of Oak Park at (708) 386-0090.