"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

    If you're long-time voter you may see a few changes this year when you go to the polls.  In many jurisdictions there is new voting equipment, and opportunities are available for voters to cast ballots before election day.  Information on the new voting equipment is listed below, so if you're unfamiliar with this new equipment, please scroll down.

    For more information on registering to vote, or to confirm you are registered to vote, the best source for information are the folks responsible for elections in the three jurisdictions covering the 39th District.  Residents of Chicago should contact the Chicago Board of Elections, residents of suburban Cook County should contact the Cook County Clerk, and residents of DuPage County should contact the DuPage County Election Commission.

    The General Election is Tuesday, November 7, 2006.  Polls are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m.  If you need a ride to the polls, call the Senator Harmon's campaign office at (708) 524-2006 and we'll schedule you a ride.

    If you need a ride to the polls on election day contact Senator Harmon's campaign office at (708) 524-2006.  Senator Harmon needs your vote!

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 (708) 524-2006.