GALESBURG — Early voting is scheduled to begin Thursday, but ballots for the March 20 primary election will not be available. According to a news release from the Galesburg Board of Election Commissioners, the delay is due to an Appellate Court Order For Stay Pending Appeal in Rottman v. ISBE, et al., in reference to the Attorney General race was filed Monday.
The Galesburg Board of Election Commissioners anticipates that ballots will be available by Feb. 21, by which time challenges to a candidate's placement on the ballot should be determined and the official ballot prepared.
Should ballots be available before Feb. 21, the Election Commission will update its website. In the interim, any voters who arrive at the Election Commission office will be provided with an application to vote by mail. Galesburg voters who prefer to vote by mail also can call 345-3660 to request an application to vote by mail or go to http://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/government/for_voters/ to print and mail in the application. When early voting commences, it will be offered at the office of the Galesburg Election Commission in City Hall, 55 W. Tompkins St., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday through March 19. The Election Commission also will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 18.
Lisa M. Watson, executive director of the Galesburg Election Commission, reminds all potential electors within the city of Galesburg that Feb. 20 is the last day to register to vote or to transfer a registration for the primary election at any location other than the Election Commission office in City Hall.
Any potential voter who resides within the city limits of Galesburg is encouraged to contact the Election Commission at 345-3660 or visit www.ci.galesburg.il.us/government/for_voters/. An individual may check the status of their voter registration on the website by using the “Registration Lookup.”
If an individual is not registered or their registration is not up-to-date after the traditional registration has closed, grace period registration and voting will be available at the Election Commission office beginning Feb. 21. Individuals registering during the “grace period” will be required to vote at that time.
Online voter registration or transfer of a registration is also available on the Paperless Online Voter Application site at ova.elections.il.gov until 11:59 p.m. March 4. The online application requires a valid Illinois driver’s license or state ID.