Vote Safely? Yes You
Can
In
my work I interact with older adults every day, and of late I’ve been hearing a
great deal of angst about the November 3rd presidential election
during the pandemic. Should you be wary and cautious? Absolutely. Give up and
don’t bother voting? Not a chance.
Service
veterans have defended our individual freedom and right to vote for centuries.
Suffragettes went through an awful lot to secure women’s voting rights a mere
hundred years ago. So with all the modern ways to register and vote, it would
be a dishonor to past generations to walk away from this precious right.
How Can I Register and
Vote Safely?
If you aren’t currently
registered, then there are several low, or non-contact ways one can register.
In our service area you can register online or request/download a form that can
be returned via postal mail. The following are a few county clerk offices in
our service area:
Lake County
https://www.lakecountyil.gov/363/Mail-In-Voter-Registration-Form
or phone (847)
377-2410.
Cook County
https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/agency/register-vote
or phone (312) 603-5656
McHenry
County
https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/county-government/departments-a-i/county-clerk/voting-registration
or phone (815) 334-4242
Your county clerk’s office should also
be able to provide an easy application to request a vote by mail ballot. These
are typically simple forms that take only a few moments to complete. Many
township clerk’s offices also have county voter registration forms and can
offer assistance if you require any. These are all free services that are
covered by your tax dollars, so don’t be shy about asking for what you need to
register and have your voice heard this fall and beyond.
Turn
off the media fear mongering, follow the safety protocols and enjoy these
fleeting weeks of summer. And yes, don’t forget to vote—safely.