Vote!
Election Day Security Plan
Covid Restrictions
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Dear Neighbors:
We are in the final stretch--Tuesday will be the most important election of most of our lives. It is imperative that your voice is heard.
Vote By Mail and Early Vote
Vote By Mail: If you received a vote by mail ballot and have not yet returned it, don't risk your ballot arriving too late to count. Instead, drop it off at the mail ballot drop box located at the 43rd Ward's early voting location at Lincoln Park High School at 2001 N. Orchard St. The other early voting site close to our ward in the one located at Ogden Elementary School at 24 W. Walton Street, or at any early voting site in the City. For the full list of sites, click here.
Vote by Mail ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day. If for some reason, your ballot is postmarked Nov. 4 or later, it will not be counted.
Early Vote: You can also still vote early at Lincoln Park High School or any of the early votes sites; each will be open today until 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday: 9 am - 5 pm. and Monday, November 2nd from 8:30 am - 7 pm.
The best time to vote is still mid-afternoon to avoid lines.
Voter Registration
You can register to vote or change your address when you go to vote, even on Election Day. For information on how to register to vote or to change the address associated with your registration, click here.
Voting in Person on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3
Some polling places have changed because of the pandemic. Please check the Board of Elections website to find your precinct and polling place here, or you can consult this list provided by the Chicago Board of Elections. If you have a problem on Election Day, call the Board of Elections or my office at 773-348-9500, and we will try to help you.
The most important thing to remember: only vote once--but please vote.
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Mayor, Police Announce Election Day Related Security Plans
Mayor Lightfoot and the Chicago Police announced security plans for the next 10 days, beginning today. The Mayor said the focus has been on two issues, election integrity and public safety:
"I know that some people may be worried about their physical safety and the safety of actually going and voting. I want to say this: You should rest assured that with our planned procedures in place, it is absolutely safe to vote."
As you know, police are a regular presence at polling places. In addition to that presence, the Office of Emergency Management (OEMC) is activating its Emergency Operations Center in a citywide effort to monitor any activity and crowds as well as coordinate resource requests and responses with City departments, agencies, the Chicago Board of Elections as well as county, state and federal partners.
Over the past several weeks, OEMC has held multiple preparedness workshops with the City’s public safety and infrastructure departments, businesses, agencies and partners to provide an overview of the City’s efforts and conduct various hazard scenarios, including severe weather, COVID-19 outbreaks and possible protests stemming from not knowing who the winner of the presidential election is until the days following Election Day.
CPD will be monitoring social media sites for any signs of trouble.
The City has also enhanced its communications with businesses, through the CHI-BIZ alert system. Business owners and managers can text "CHIBIZ" to 67283 or visit www.chicago.gov/chibizalerts to receive the targeted alerts.
In addition, Businesses now have a direct line to the OEMC center to communicate with the 911 Center.
Residents can receive emergency alerts for updates on street closures and public transportation by subscribing to Chicago’s text or email alert system at NotifyChicago.org or follow the OEMC on Facebook and Twitter @ChicagoOEMC.
As of now, there are no active security threats to Chicago on or about Election Day. I am pleased that these security measures will ensure that our community remains safe.
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Modifications to Recently Imposed Restrictions
Due to COVID-19 Surge
In order to align with the new State-imposed regulations, here are some addtional and modified city rules:
- No indoor dining or service at bars or restaurants
- Outdoor dining/drinking is still allowed, including at locations with retractable roofs and tables within eight feet of a wall that is at least 50% open
- Meetings and events limited to 25 guests or 25% capacity, whichever is fewer (both indoors and outdoors)
- This capacity limit applies to events (e.g., banquet halls, weddings, birthday parties, business dinners/social events, private outdoor gatherings like a potluck)
- Other businesses, such as fitness clubs, personal services, retail stores, movie theaters, indoor recreation facilities and performance venues can still operate under existing guidelines, typically at 40% capacity or 50 people, whichever is fewer.
- All Chicago non-essential businesses must be closed to the public from 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. This will allow restaurants and bars that can no longer offer indoor service an extra hour of outdoor operations each evening.
- On-site or to-go alcohol sales at bars, restaurants and other establishments with a Tavern or Consumption on Premises-Incidental Activity license will extend until 11:00 pm.
- The sale of alcohol from liquor stores, grocery stores and other establishments with a Package Goods license must still end at 9:00 pm.
Retail Food Establishments may continue to sell food via delivery, take-out or curbside pick-up at all hours. As a reminder, all employees and customers are required to wear face coverings except in limited situations such as when they are seated and actively eating and drinking. Additionally, table size is limited to no more than six people and social distancing must be maintained. Please visit chicago.gov/reopening for the latest details on Chicago’s reopening guidelines.
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Justice for Commander Bauer
In February 2018, our 18th District Commander, Paul Bauer, was murdered. His assailant was arrested on the scene, and after a trial, was convicted of murder of a police officer. The defendant was wearing body armor, and carrying a gun with an extended magazine.
This week, his murderer was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The sentence will not bring back a brave officer, but justice has been done. |
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Please enjoy Halloween, be safe, help keep our community healthy and vote, |
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