Stephenson County County Clerk and Recorder -> Elections

Elections

It is the mission of the County Clerk's Office to conduct all elections in a fair, accurate, impartial and efficient manner. The County Clerk's Office will preserve all election results and make said files accessible to all people. Said office will accurately maintain all filings and records as mandated by law.

Phone: 815-235-8289 · Fax: 815-235-8378

Election Schedule

Even Years	General Primary—Third Tuesday in March General Election—First Tuesday After the First Monday of November
Odd Years	Consolidated Primary, Freeport City (if required)—Last Tuesday in February Consolidated Election—First Tuesday in April following Passover

Absentee Voting Instructions

In-person absentee voting will be conducted at the lower level of the Stewart Centre, 50 West Douglas Street, Freeport, Illinois 61032

Stephenson County Clerk's Office
50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500
Freeport, IL 61032

The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Persons may apply for an absentee ballot by mail or in person at the election authority's office located at the Stephenson County Clerk's Office , Stewart Centre, 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032.

Applications for absentee voting may be obtained by calling 815-235-8289 or writing to the office of County Clerk's Office , 50 W. Douglas St., Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032.

Not all persons qualify to vote by absentee ballot.

To vote by absentee ballot in Illinois a person must be a registered voter and unable to vote in person at the polls on Election Day for one of the following reasons:

You expect to be absent from the county on Election Day (if you have questions regarding this category please contact the election authority's office)
Physically incapable of going to the polling place
Observing a religious holiday
Certain election duties such as judge of election outside of home precinct
Serving as a sequestered juror

If you have any questions regarding the above qualifications, please contact the election authority's office at 815-235-8289.

As a safeguard to absentee voting the following provisions are in effect:

A candidate whose name is on the ballot is prohibited from assisting a physically disabled absentee voter unless the candidate is the spouse, parent, brother or sister of the voter
Also, no one other than the absentee voter, a parent, spouse, brother, sister or delivery service may deposit the absentee ballot in the mail.
A voter who was issued an absentee ballot (whether they voted it or not) may, upon execution of the proper affidavit, revoke his ballot and vote in person on Election Day
Individuals who register to vote by mail must vote in person the first time they vote. Therefore any person, who registered by mail, who has never voted in Stephenson County before, and is requesting an absentee ballot must vote in person at the Stephenson County Clerk's Office, with one exception—any voter who is voting under the provisions of the uniformed and overseas citizens absentee voting act who registered by mail may vote absentee by mail.

Further information may be obtained by calling 815-235-8289 or the Illinois State Board of Election at 217-782-4141 in Springfield or 312-814-6440 in Chicago.

Judge of Elections

What is a judge of election?
What are the qualifications necessary to be an election judge?
What are some of the duties of judges of election?
How may I become a judge of elections?

Q.	What is a judge of election?
A.	Judges of election are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the poling place on election day. They are in the position of ensuring that the election process is administered fairly and in accordance with our laws.

Q.	What are the qualifications necessary to be an election judge?
A.	You must Be a citizen of the United States Be of good repute and character Be able to speak, read and write the English language Be skilled in the four fundamental rules of mathematics Be of good understanding and capable Not be a candidate for any office in the election and not be elected committeeman

Q.	What are some of the duties of judges of election?
A.	An election judge has the responsibility to Open and close the polls Safeguard all election materials Ensure that only qualified voters are permitted to vote and that each qualified voter is permitted to vote once and only once Ensure that all votes are cast in secret Give instructions in the method of voting when requested by a voter Give assistance to illiterate and physically disabled voters Maintain order in the polling place throughout the day Tally the vote after the polls are closed Certify the election results in that precinct

Q.	How may I become a judge of elections?
A.	Fill out the application form and mail it to the County Clerk's Office at the address on the top of the form. The Clerk's Office will contact you once the application has been processed.

Voter Registration

The law requires registered voters to keep their name and address current. You cannot vote for local candidates if you are not properly registered. You cannot vote on any local propositions if you are not properly registered. Please contact the County Clerk's Office at 815-235-8289, if you have changed your name and/or address and have not yet notified the County Clerk's Office.

Remember, it is your right to vote!
Please Do Not Forfeit That Right!

Stephenson County registered voters who do not have a voter's registration card, or who have a question regarding their registration, should contact the County Clerk's Office at 815-235-8289.


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