Early Voting Has Started in Cicero, Here’s What You Need to Know
Yamilet “Mimi” Celis, 19, will be voting for the first time this year. She is currently a DACA Scholar Liaison with the Cicero Community Collaborative. (Photo by April Alonso)
By Irene Romulo
We have been talking to young, first-time voters in Cicero about their thoughts on the upcoming presidential election.
“I’m really excited because this time I can be part of the difference and I can pitch in my opinion and vote on my future because truly we are electing somebody who is going to decide for us so it’s important to pick the right candidate,” said Yamilet Celis, who will be voting for the first time. “I am [excited] but I don’t know how to do anything or how to go about it but my intentions are to vote. I haven’t even registered. I don’t know how.”
Like Celis, many first-time voters we have spoken to expressed not knowing how or where to vote. Here’s a quick rundown of what voters in Cicero need to know.
What will you be voting on?
You can use Ballot Ready to see what people are running during the primaries in Illinois. This year the ballot also includes judicial vacancies. Judges make decisions about people’s freedom, they interpret state laws and can have a lot of power over an individuals’ lives. You can read more about the people running for judicial seats in the voter guide that was created by Injustice Watch here. All you have to do is type in your address and the guide will show you the candidates that are on your Cicero ballot.
Voters in Cicero will also be asked if recreational cannabis should be sold in the town. The question will read, “Should the sale of cannabis and cannabis products for recreational use by adults 21 and older be allowed at licensed dispensaries within the Town of Cicero?”
Who can vote?
In order to vote you must be a U.S. citizen who has lived in the precinct in which you are voting for at least 30 days prior to election day. To be eligible, a voter must be 18 years old by November 3rd, 2020. So if you are 17 years old and will turn 18 by November 3rd, you can vote in the primaries.
When can you vote?
Now. The polls are open for early voting until March 16th. You can still vote on election day which is on March 17th.
Where do you go to vote?
Cicero has two early voting sites where you can vote from March 2nd until March 16th. You can vote at whichever is closest to you. The locations are: the Cicero PSO Building at 5410 W. 34th St. Cicero, IL 60804 or the Cicero Community Center at 2250 S. 49th Ave Cicero, IL 60804.
On March 17th, you’ll have to vote at your precinct location. You can find your precinct location by typing your address at the Cook County Clerk website here.
What if you forgot to register to vote?
You can register to vote in person at Cicero’s two early voting locations until March 16th. You’ll need to bring two forms of ID. You can find a list of acceptable forms of ID here.
On March 17th, the actual day of the election, you’ll still be able to register to vote in person but only at your home precinct polling place. You can find that by typing your address here.
