General Elections Matter 🗳 🙌
Today is an important day, when each of us has the chance to cast our ballots and make our voices heard. And during a time like this, we need your voice more than ever. Over the past two years, we’ve witnessed unprecedented attacks on our democracy, our voting rights, and our human rights. Just this year, we saw the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade, which means that the people who represent you on the state and local level will play a critical role in deciding the future of reproductive rights.
It’s also important to mention that midterm elections in Illinois, and across the country, have historically low voter turnout rates when compared to presidential elections. During our primary election this past June, Illinois saw one of the lowest voter turnouts in the last 40 years (just 21%). That’s why your vote today is so critical.
Here’s some information to help ensure you and your loved ones cast your ballots without a hitch.
Voting in Person Today
In order to save you possible confusion today, I want to encourage you to take a moment now to confirm the location of your polling place. You can check the location of your polling place by going to chicagoelections.gov and clicking on “Your Voter Information”. All polling places will be open from 6am to 7pm.
aDo you or a family member need to register to vote? Do you need to file a name change or address change? You can still do all of that today, you just need to go to your polling place and present two forms of ID. At least one ID must list your current address. Here is a list of acceptable forms of ID.
Returning your Mail-in Ballot
Got a mail ballot but haven’t sent it in? No worries — you can put it in the mail and it’ll be counted as long as it’s postmarked today. If you change your mind and want to vote in person on Election Day, you can do that too. But you’ll need to bring your mail-in ballot to an election judge at your polling place. If you don’t have your mail-in ballot, you must complete an affidavit stating you never received it or that it was received and lost.
Questions about your voter registration or your vote by mail ballot? You can contact the Chicago Board of Elections by phone today at 312-269-7967.
Thank you for exercising your rights and making your voice heard.
Be well and stay safe —
Will
MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE REOPENS TOMORROW
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has reopened their mortgage assistance program, which aims to assist homeowners financially impacted by the pandemic.
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) provides up to $60,000 in mortgage assistance to eligible homeowners — paid directly to the servicer, taxing body or other approved entity — while homeowners work to regain their financial footing. Whether homeowners have a mortgage, a reverse mortgage, or are mortgage-free, the program can fund past due housing payments and up to three months of prospective mortgage payments.
The program is free and funds do not need to be repaid. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
Application, program information and updates can be found at illinoishousinghelp.org.