Registering to Vote in Douglas County

Who Is Qualified to Register to Vote?

A United States citizen is eligible to register to vote if:

The citizen is at least 18 years old on or before the date of the next election, and if the citizen has been a resident or will have been a resident for 30 days before the date of the next election. The citizen must provide two forms of identification.

1. Verification of Name
2. Verification of Address: The Illinois Election Code defines a resident as someone who has a permanent abode or dwelling within the precinct. (ILCS 5/3-1)

Where to Register to Vote

• County Clerk’s Office
  Douglas County Courthouse
  401 S. Center Street, Room 203
  Tuscola, IL  61953
  8:30 A.M. – 4:30 P.M
• Township Offices & City Offices (Contact  those offices to verify hours)
• Deputy Registrars throughout the County, call the County Clerk’s Office for further information.

When to Register to Vote

Pursuant to 10 ILCS 5/4-6, there shall be no registration during the 27 days preceding any election or until the 2^nd day following such election.

Polling Locations

• Arcola 1 – Arcola Community Center, 107 W Main, Arcola
• Arcola 2 – Arcola Community Center, 107 W Main, Arcola
• Arcola 3 – Arcola Community Center, 107 W Main, Arcola
• Bourbon 1 – Arthur Municipal Building, 120 E Progress, Arthur
• Bourbon 2 – Arthur Municipal Building, 120 E Progress, Arthur
• Bowdre – Hindsboro Civic Center, 403 Missouri St, Hindsboro
• Camargo 1 – Camargo Community Center, 200 E. Issacher Street, Camargo
• Camargo 2 – United Methodist Church, 302 2nd Street, Villa Grove
• Camargo 3 – United Methodist Church, 302 2nd Street, Villa Grove
• Garrett – United Church Of Atwood, 210 N. Main St., Atwood
• Murdock – Newman Community Center, 207 S. Coffin Street, Newman
• Newman – Newman Community Center, 207 S. Coffin Street, Newman
• Sargent – Sargent Township Building, 370N County Road 2360E, Oakland
• Tuscola 1 – Tuscola Community Building, 122 W. North Central, Tuscola
• Tuscola 2 – Tuscola Community Building, 122 W. North Central, Tuscola
• Tuscola 3 – Tuscola Community Building, 122 W. North Central, Tuscola
• Tuscola 4 – Tuscola Community Building, 122 W. North Central, Tuscola

Douglas County Clerk Election Judge Information

Election Judges help to guarantee that the rights of voters are protected on Election Day. The qualifications necessary are listed below:

Who are judges of Election?

Judges of Election are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the polling places on Election Day. They are in the position of ensuring that the election process is administered fairly and in accordance with Illinois Election Code.

How are the judges selected?

Election Judges are chosen by the Precinct Committeemen and by the Party Chairperson of your political party. In each precinct, the party which cast the highest number of votes at the most recent three gubernatorial elections in the precinct shall be represented by three judges; the party which casts the second highest number of votes at the most recent gubernatorial elections in the precinct shall be represented by two candidates.

What are the qualifications necessary to be an Election Judge?

• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Be a registered voter in Douglas County.
• Be of good repute and character.
• Be able to speak, read, and write the English language.
• Be of good understanding and capable of performing duties.
• Not a candidate for any office in the election, and not be a Precinct Committee person.
• Each Election Judge is required to declare their party preference so they can be assigned accordingly.

How are Election Judges Trained?

Before each election, Judges Training Schools are held. This covers the duties and responsibilities of Election Judges. An examination which tests reading skills, ability to work with poll lists, ability to add, and knowledge of election laws governing the operation of polling places is given every two years. Judges who have attended the class and completed the test will receive $200 for their duties if they serve on Election Day.

What are some of the duties of the Judges of Election?

• To open and close the polls
• To be responsible for all election materials
• To offer that only qualified voters are permitted to vote;
• To offer instructions in the operation of voting equipment to voters
• To give assistance to illiterate and physically disabled voters, when requested by the voter
• To maintain order in the polling place throughout the day
• To return election tabulation information and supplies for that precinct to the County Clerk on election night.

How may I become an Election Judge?

Contact the County Clerk’s Office by phone: Douglas County Clerk Election Division at 217-253-2442 or email to elections email address and express your interest in serving as a Judge of Election.

How to cast a Write-In vote.

For a Write-In Candidate to be considered valid and to have their votes counted, the candidate must have completed and filed a Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate with the County Clerk no later than 61 days prior to the election. (10 ILCS 5/17-16.1)

1. On your ballot, find the office which the candidate is running.
   

1. Print the candidate’s name on the Write-In line for that office.
   

1. Fill in the box next to the candidate’s name.