Register to Vote Before October Deadline

With one month left before voter registration closes, Cook County Clerk David Orr reminds eligible citizens who want to vote in the Nov. 6, 2012 Presidential Election to register by the Oct. 9 deadline.

"If you want to vote on Nov. 6, you must be registered," Orr said. "Make your mark by voting in the upcoming election."

Clerk Orr's office is working with schools and community organizations to train deputy registrars and coordinate voter registration drives. Some upcoming events are:

Sept. 13, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Harper College Hullabuloo, Voter Registration Drive

Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m.: Sandridge School District 172, Chicago Heights, Deputy Registrar Training

Sept. 15, 10 a.m.: National Action Network, Harvey, Deputy Registrar Training

Sept. 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Moraine Valley Fall Fest, Voter Registration Drive

Sept. 19, 2:30-4 p.m.: Reavis High School, Burbank, Deputy Registrar Training & Voter Registration

Sept. 20, 12-3 p.m.: Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Voter Registration Drive

Sept. 20, 7 p.m.: Chicago Sky Women's Basketball Game, Chicago, Voter Registration Drive

Sept. 22, 5-8 p.m.: Chicago Fire Soccer Game, Bridgeview, Voter Registration Drive

Please contact the Clerk's office for more information about any of these events.

Orr is also organizing a voter registration drive at the suburban Cook County courthouses on Sept. 25 to coincide with National Voter Registration Day. More details to come.

Wednesdays through Oct. 3, the Clerk's office will host walk-in hours for anyone who wants to be trained to register voters. Stop by Orr's downtown office (69 W. Washington, Fifth Floor, Chicago) Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments are not needed.

If you want to get trained as a deputy registrar but cannot make it downtown, contact Jonathan Williams (312.603.0987, jonathan.williams@cookcountyil.gov) and ask about hosting a training near your home or work. Trainings can be scheduled for groups of 10 or more.

To register to vote, you must be: a U.S. citizen; at least 18 years old by Election Day; and a resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day. Voters who have recently moved must re-register at their current address prior to the deadline.

In this video, Clerk Orr explains who can register to vote, what they need and how to complete the process. 

If you want to verify your registration status and see your polling place, use the "Your Voter Information" tool on cookcountyclerk.com.

Suburban Cook County voters can print a voter registration application from the Clerk's website, cookcountyclerk.com, or request one by calling (312) 603-0906. Applications are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Korean and Polish.

After completing the application, prospective voters should return it to the Cook County Clerk's office, 69 W. Washington St., Fifth Floor, Chicago, IL 60602. All applications must be delivered or postmarked by Oct. 9.

Residents wishing to register in person can visit the Clerk's downtown office (69 W. Washington St., Fifth Floor, Chicago), their municipal or township clerk's office, or one of the Clerk's suburban courthouse locations:

• North suburbs: 5600 W. Old Orchard Road, Room 149, Skokie
• Northwest suburbs: 2121 Euclid Ave., Room 238, Rolling Meadows
• West suburbs: 1311 Maybrook Square, Room 104, Maywood
• South suburbs: 16501 S. Kedzie Ave., Room 238, Markham
• Southwest suburbs: 10220 S. 76th Ave., Room 238, Bridgeview

Prospective voters should bring two pieces of identification to register, including one displaying a current address. Chicago residents should visit chicagoelections.com for more information.

Information provided by Cook County Clerk's Office