Lake County Polling Sites Relocated Due To Coronavirus Concern

UPDATE: The Lake County Clerk's Office announced Monday that seven polling places have been relocated. See the full list below.

WAUKEGAN, IL — Although concerns over the outbreak of the new coronavirus have led to the relocation of voting locations in neighboring counties, Lake County polling places will remain in place for next Tuesday's election, according to Clerk Robin O'Connor.

O'Connor said her office is supplying sanitizing wipes at all 16 early voting sites and all 121 Election Day polling places and instructing election judges to wipe down and touchscreen voting machines every half-hour to reduce the risk of exposing residents to coronavirus.

To further reduce the risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19, the clerk recommended voters bring their own pens to polling places.

"That's been the only significant change, besides the cleaning. We're saying, 'Hey, if you have your own blue or black ink pen, bring it,'" O'Connor said. "And if they do that, think about it, they're not really touching anything. They can use their pen to sign their signature. They'll be getting a paper ballot. They'll be putting it in a sleeve and then they'll be pulling it out and putting it into the voting machine and then they're leaving."

When possible, voters should also aim to avoid peak voting times to reduce exposure to crowds, O'Connor said. Mail-in voting can further reduce opportunities for viral transmission.

Registered voters who wish to vote by mail have until 5 p.m. Thursday to request a mail ballot. Residents may submit an application for a mail-in ballot online, print out and deliver an application form, email an application or call the voting by mail department of the Lake County Clerk's Office.

Once completed, ballots must be hand-delivered by 7 p.m. on Election Day or returned by mail with a postmark of March 17 or earlier and received by the clerk's office by the end of the month.

Related:
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Because contracting COVID-19 is most dangerous for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems and pre-existing health conditions, public health officials have recommended voting locations in senior center and veteran homes be relocated.

As of Tuesday evening, four McHenry County polling places and more than a dozen in suburban Cook County have been relocated from senior living facilities.

O'Connor said Lake County does not have any polling places at senior homes and did not expect to adjust any of the existing voting locations before the March 17 primary.

March 16 Update:

O'Connor's office announced the following polling place changes Monday morning:

Kukla Towers
1440 Jackson St.
North Chicago, IL 60064

Waukegan Township is providing shuttle service to Foss Park Golf Pavilion.
Pick-up times:
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
4:30 PM
6:00 PM