It’s Election Day in the metro-east. Here’s a Q & A about voting in your community
Today is an important day: Election Day.
Your vote is crucial. It’s your chance to be heard and to help shape the future of your community and your school districts.
More than 600 candidates are running for mayor, town council and school board in dozens of communities across southwestern Illinois.
We’ll be posting live updates of unofficial results in the metro-east at bnd.com after the polls close Tuesday night and as results are counted.
Here’s some answers to questions you might have about the election:
What time will the polls open and close?
Polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
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:
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.
When will the election results be finalized?
Local election authorities must complete their canvass of election results by April 25.
