By WMBD-TV
TAZEWELL COUNTY – County clerks and recorders want you to feel confident when voting this election.
In a press release signed by all members of the Illinois Association of County Clerks & Recorders, they are asking for the public to visit local offices to see for themselves how voting procedures are done.
Starting Thursday, Sept. 26, anyone that has questions about the voting process can visit any clerk office and learn everything about the voting process.
Since the 2016 election, more questions have been raised concerning voting security. The clerks say in the press release, that visiting the offices has always been an option, but they are making it clear this year so voters feel confident.
In Illinois, there is local control of the elections, rather than state centralized control. The local control is done by 108 independent Local Election Officials. Tazewell County Clerk John Ackerman says this is a benefit for Illinois voters as it gives voters complete oversight of the process.
Ackerman says if people have questions, they should ask them. “This is how you gain that trust. Come in. Ask us your questions. Come and take a look for yourself,” he said. “Come and observe. Better yet, sign up to be an election judge. Be part of the team that is actually managing the elections. We’re here to talk with you.”
Election judges are citizens that are appointed by political parties and managed by your local election authority. Being an election judge, gives you a front row seat on how election security and processes are done.
Ackerman says it’s rare for all the clerks to come together and agree on an issue, but that’s what is happening. All Illinois clerks and recorders want to be as transparent with voters as possible. “We’re all coming together with this unified voice saying, ‘We want you to come and we want you to observe how we do this,’” Ackerman said. “It’s a rarity to be able to see in today’s environment individuals from different political mindsets coming together for a united front like this.”
Early voting begins Thursday, September 26. Offices will be open to the public across the state if questions arise.
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