Tuesday is Election Day. Here are answers to 14 questions about elections in the metro-east
Over 600 candidates are seeking votes for mayor, city council, village board and school board seats across the metro-east Tuesday.
So do you want to cast your ballot?
If so, the Belleville News-Democrat has compiled a last-minute guide in a Q&A format for you:
Where can I find the views of the candidates running in local elections?
The Belleville News-Democrat reached out to about 300 of the candidates who are in contested races on Tuesday and asked them to complete a detailed candidate questionnaire.
You can find responses from candidates in competitive races in the BND Voter Guide on our site by typing this URL - bit.ly/bndguide23 - in the address bar of your web browser.
On this page, you will see links to the following eight groups of candidates:
- St. Clair County cities and villages
- St. Clair County school boards
- Madison County cities and villages
- Madison County school boards
- Monroe County cities and villages
- Monroe County school boards
- Clinton County cities and villages
- Clinton County school boards
What time will the polls open and close in southwest Illinois on Tuesday?
Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Can I vote in Illinois if I’m in line when polls close?
Yes. All voters in line by 7 p.m. will be able to cast their ballot. Voters must visit their assigned precinct.
Is early voting still available?
The early voting period ends on Monday, April 3. Hours and locations vary so check with your local election office. You can also see sample ballots on the websites of the area election offices.
Where can I find my polling place?
Check your voter registration card. If you can’t find that card, you can go to the Illinois State Board of Elections website, click on the “Information for voters” tab on the upper left and then click on “Registration/polling place lookup.” Then type in your ZIP code and street address to see your polling place.
You can also check with your county clerk’s office.
What if I see something that concerns me at a polling place?
The Illinois State Board of Elections recommends that you speak with an election judge at the polling place. In St. Clair County, you can call the county clerk’s office at 618-825-2366 to report a concern. You also can send an email to VoterIntegrity@stclaircountyil.gov.
Can I still mail in my ballot?
Yes, but the ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, April 4, and arrive by April 18 to be counted.
When can I put my mail-in ballot in a drop box?
It must be dropped off by 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 4.
Can I drop off my mail-in ballot at an Illinois polling place? No, but you can vote at your polling place if you surrender your mail-in ballot to election judges.
Can I still vote April 4 if I’m not registered?
Yes. Several sites in the metro-east are offering grace period registration, but you must register and vote in the same visit.
If I have a physical disability, how can I get help at my polling place?
You can go to the polling place with a companion who can help you complete a ballot if the person signs an affidavit.
What’s the weather forecast for Tuesday?
The National Weather Service forecasts a high of 79 with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms Tuesday.
When will the election results be finalized?
Local election authorities must complete their canvass of election results by April 25.
Where can I get election results?
Go to bnd.com on Tuesday night to get results from across the region. You can also help with our coverage on Election Day by sharing your voting experience, questions and tips via email at Elections2023@bnd.com.
This story was originally published April 3, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
