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Voter ServicesThe League of Women Voters of Oak Park and River Forest mission is to register and educate voters to better participate in the democratic process. If your organization is having an event, our deputy registrars would be happy to attend and register voters. Do you have new neighbors or new 18 year olds on your block? Invite us to your next block party to register them. Does your school, church, or civic organization want to register new voters? Contact us. Remember, Every Vote Counts!
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2023 Muncipal April 4 Election Schedule
March 7, 2023 - Voter registration closes for deputy registrars and local election officials
March 19, 2023 - Last day to register to vote by online application
March 20, 2023 - Early voting starts at these locations
March 30, 2023 - Last day to request a mail ballot, including military and overseas voters
April 3, 2023 - Last day of early voting
April 4, 2023 - Last day mail ballots can be postmarked
April 4, 2023 - Election Day
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Scan the QR code to register to vote or check your registration at the Illinois Online Voter Application website. You must:
Access the Illinois Voter Guide here. Get notifications when candidate information is ready, check your voter registration status, register to vote, or check to see if your voting district has changed because of the census.
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Scan the QR Code to check your voter registration or register to vote.
To request a mail ballot for the April 4, 2023 Municipal Election go here. |
Contact cookcountyclerk.com for more information on:
- Online voter registration
- Mail-in Ballot application
- Early voting locations
- Polling locations
- Sample ballots
Interested in Election Judge work on election day?
Contact elect.Judge@cookcountyil.gov or call 312-603-0965
Want to find contact information about your representatives fast? Use this link.
Ranked Choice Voting - The League of Women Voters supports Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) as a reform that will make our elections more democratic. We are advocating for the Oak Park Village Board to place it on the April 2023 ballot as a binding referendum question for Oak Park voters for the election of Village Trustees, Clerk, and President.
How Does it Work?
In most elections in the United States, the candidate with the most votes wins, even if that candidate’s share of votes is less than 50%. In RCV, the winner must have over 50% of the votes to win, and voters select the candidates by order of preference. If a candidate receives 50% or more, that candidate wins. If no candidate receives 50% of the votes, then the candidate with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated. If a voter’s first place choice is eliminated, their other
candidates are moved up one rank, and the first place candidates are counted again. The elimination process is repeated until one candidate receives over 50% of the vote.
What are the Benefits?
* Voters have more choices.
RCV gives voters more choices and more power. If your first choice candidate doesn’t win,
your vote still counts toward the candidate you ranked as your next choice.
* Wasted votes are eliminated.
Voters sometimes vote for their second choice if their preferred candidate is unlikely to win. In RCV you can rank your most preferred candidate first without fear of wasting your vote. Your vote can express your true feelings rather than your worst fears.
* Voter turnout is generally higher.
Most election data on voter turnout demonstrates increased voter participation. Ranked choice voting has been found to substantially reduce the drop in voter participation that commonly occurs between primary and runoff elections.
* Polarization is reduced and elections are more civil.
In RCV elections, candidates have an incentive to appeal to the broadest coalition of voters – not just a vocal minority. Competition between candidates is reduced and there is less negative campaigning.
* Administrative costs are lower by eliminating runoffs.
RCV allows a winner to be elected in a single trip to the polls for voters. Another name for RCV is “instant runoff.” This saves money for the city.
Is there a con side to RCV?
RCV has been criticized as too complicated, but critics underestimate the intelligence of voters. To better understand the process, watch this 2 minute video.
FairVoteIllinois has more information about RCV, New York City's mayoral results, Evanston's referendum, and Illinois SB1785 and HB2416 for RCV.
How Does it Work?
In most elections in the United States, the candidate with the most votes wins, even if that candidate’s share of votes is less than 50%. In RCV, the winner must have over 50% of the votes to win, and voters select the candidates by order of preference. If a candidate receives 50% or more, that candidate wins. If no candidate receives 50% of the votes, then the candidate with the fewest first-place votes is eliminated. If a voter’s first place choice is eliminated, their other
candidates are moved up one rank, and the first place candidates are counted again. The elimination process is repeated until one candidate receives over 50% of the vote.
What are the Benefits?
* Voters have more choices.
RCV gives voters more choices and more power. If your first choice candidate doesn’t win,
your vote still counts toward the candidate you ranked as your next choice.
* Wasted votes are eliminated.
Voters sometimes vote for their second choice if their preferred candidate is unlikely to win. In RCV you can rank your most preferred candidate first without fear of wasting your vote. Your vote can express your true feelings rather than your worst fears.
* Voter turnout is generally higher.
Most election data on voter turnout demonstrates increased voter participation. Ranked choice voting has been found to substantially reduce the drop in voter participation that commonly occurs between primary and runoff elections.
* Polarization is reduced and elections are more civil.
In RCV elections, candidates have an incentive to appeal to the broadest coalition of voters – not just a vocal minority. Competition between candidates is reduced and there is less negative campaigning.
* Administrative costs are lower by eliminating runoffs.
RCV allows a winner to be elected in a single trip to the polls for voters. Another name for RCV is “instant runoff.” This saves money for the city.
Is there a con side to RCV?
RCV has been criticized as too complicated, but critics underestimate the intelligence of voters. To better understand the process, watch this 2 minute video.
FairVoteIllinois has more information about RCV, New York City's mayoral results, Evanston's referendum, and Illinois SB1785 and HB2416 for RCV.