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Voter Registration Events Planned Around The Rockford Area

League of Women Voters

Tuesday, Sept. 27, is National Voter Registration Day.  It's a reminder that you can't vote if you aren't registered.

The deadline for Illinois residents to register outside of their local election office is Oct. 11, and the League of Women Voters of Greater Rockfordhas scheduled registration events before then at several locations throughout the Rockford area. 

Susan Janson is voter services chair for the League. She says the number of people who aren’t registered to vote is alarming: more than 30 percent of whites, 40 percent of African-Americans, and 50 percent of Hispanics. She says that’s not good for them, or the community.

“When there are fewer votes cast, we have an easier way to get to a majority. So our future is decided by a smaller number of people,” she says.

Janson says residents need to realize they can have a say in their community and influence the people and policies that govern so much of their lives – if they vote.

“If you’re dissatisfied with your elected officials, vote. If you are strongly opposed to a particular issue, or in favor of an issue, vote,” she says.  

But first they have to register. 

To do so, residents will need to provide two forms of identification with their current name, one showing their current address, and provide the last four digits of their Social Security number. Naturalized citizens must also provide the date and place (city and court) of their naturalization. 

The League reminds people that they must register after a move or a name change,  even if they were registered before.  

The League will hold events at the following locations and times:

Rockford University, 5050 E. State St., Rockford

  • Tuesday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (National Voter Registration Day)

North Suburban Library, 6340 North Second St., Loves Park

  • Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Oct. 4, 6 to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

North Suburban Library Roscoe, 5564 Clayton Circle, Roscoe

  • Wednesday, Oct. 5, 5 to 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 8, 2 to 4 p.m.

Cherry Valley Library,755 E. State St., Cherry Valley

  • Saturday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 2, 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 9, 1 to 4 p.m.

Illinois residents also can register at their local election office, online at www.election.il.gov or at Illinois drivers license facilities until Oct. 11. After that, residents can register at their local election office until Nov. 7, although they must also vote at the same time.  
Residents can register and vote at their precinct's polling place on Election Day, as long as they have the proper forms of identification. 

Guy Stephens produces news stories for the station, and coordinates our online events calendar, PSAs and Arts Calendar announcements. In each of these ways, Guy helps keep our listening community informed about what's going on, whether on a national or local level. Guy's degrees are in music, and he spent a number of years as a classical host on WNIU. In fact, after nearly 20 years with Northern Public Radio, the best description of his job may be "other duties as required."
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