Registration, voting aids available to the elderly, handicapped

Vermilion County residents who, due to a disability, are unable to appear in person to register to vote may contact the County Clerk’s Voter Registration Hotline at (217) 554-1915 for assistance.

“The office can arrange for in-home registration services,” Vermilion County Clerk Lynn Foster said in a press release.

Registration forms also are available by mail or may be printed from the county clerk’s website — http://www.vercounty.org. Paperless online voter registration also is available on the same website under “County Clerk,” “Voter Information,” “Online Voter Registration.”

The last day for Vermilion County residents to register to vote or file changes of name or address prior to the Nov. 4 General Election under traditional Illinois voter registration is Oct. 7. Grace period registration and voting will be conducted in person at the county clerk’s office from Oct. 8 through Election Day, Nov. 4. Grace period registration requires two forms of identification, at least one of which includes a correct current address.

Illinois law provides for absentee voting for all registered voters, without the need to specify a reason for doing so, according to the release. Those who wish to vote absentee by mail may request an application from the county clerk’s office as soon as possible. The application for an absentee ballot may also be printed from the county clerk’s website http://www.vercounty.org. The voter then mails the completed application to the county clerk in order to have a ballot sent by mail. The last day on which an absentee ballot may be mailed to a voter is Oct. 30.

In-person absentee voting is available at the County Voting Center through Nov. 3. A paperless online application for an absentee or early ballot also available on the website.

Voters who are permanently disabled may request an application for a special identification card. This will entitle the voter to automatically receive an absentee ballot application for every election for the next five years. The card also is renewable.

“Voting aids and assistance in marking the ballot are provided in all Vermilion County polling locations for all elections,” Foster said in the release. “In addition, special voting equipment designed to meet the needs of physically challenged voters is available in every polling place,” she said.

For information about absentee voting and the Automark Voter Assist Terminals, call (217) 554-1911.