Barbara Flynn Currie.

Voter's Guide

Mid-term primary elections are nearly here, with some important dates approaching quickly. I write to share these dates with you along with important information about voting this year. If you have any questions, please call our District Service Office at 773.667.0550. Or drop by 1303 E. 53rd St. You can also send an email to repcurrie@sbcglobal.net. We're happy to help in any way we can.



Voter Registration

January 5, 2010 is the deadline to register to vote to be eligible to cast a ballot in the February 2, 2010 Primary Election.

If you're not sure whether you're registered to vote, you can check the status of your registration by clicking here.

In Chicago, voters may register:

• by submitting the mail-in form (click here), which must be postmarked no later than January 5th.
• in person at 69 W. Washington St., Sixth Floor.
• through an active deputy registrar affiliated with a local organization, such as a political party, ward office, business, etc.
• at any driver's license facility.

Early Voting

Early voting for the 2010 Primary Election will be offered Jan. 11 through Jan. 28, 2010. To vote early, just bring a government-issued photo ID card.

Chicago voters may vote at any of the city's 51 sites, regardless of where they live. Hours for all sites are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18.

You can vote early downtown at the Board of Elections, 69 W. Washington St., Lower Level Conference Room. This location is also open on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Here's a list of early voting sites in and around the 25th District:

• 4th Ward -- M L King Community Ctr. 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
• 5th Ward -- Jackson Park 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.
• 7th Ward -- Jeffery Manor Library 2401 E. 100th St.
• 10th Ward -- Vodak/East Side Library 3710 E. 106th St. This location is also open on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• 20th Ward -- Coleman Library 731 E. 63rd St.

Grace Period Voting

Grace period voting is a safety net offered to those who failed to register by the January 5th deadline.

A grace period voter must register and vote at the same time in person at the Election Board offices at 69 W. Washington St. on the Sixth Floor. Grace period registration and voting will be offered Jan. 6 thru Jan. 26, 2010.



Absentee Voting

Voters are allowed to cast their ballots before Election Day either in person at an early voting site or by mail through absentee voting.

All persons registered to vote in Chicago are eligible to cast absentee ballots. The voter must file a completed and signed request for an absentee ballot by the legal deadline:

• Applications from military and civilians overseas must be received at the Election Board by close of business on Jan. 25.
• Applications from voters in the United States must be received at the Election Board by close of business on Jan. 22.

To download the absentee ballot application, click here.

Under a new law, voters in Illinois don't need to offer a reason to vote absentee.

In addition, the following unregistered voters are eligible to vote by absentee ballot:

• Members of the Armed Forces or Merchant Marine and their spouses and dependents, whether serving in the United States or abroad.
• U.S. citizens and their spouses or dependents whose permanent residences are in Chicago but who will be temporarily living abroad on Election Day.
• U.S. citizens (not their spouses or dependents) who maintained a residence in Chicago immediately before their departure from the United States.

If you're planning on voting absentee, be sure to apply early to make sure your application arrives in time.

Happy New Year -- and happy voting!