Your Lake County 2018 Election Voter Guide

LAKE COUNTY, IL — Are you voting early or do you love the excitement of voting on Election Day? Can you still register to vote? How do you vote by mail? Patch has compiled helpful links and info for the upcoming Illinois general election on Nov. 6.

Early voting is underway and will be available through Nov. 5. Voters do not need to provide any reason to vote early. Voters may still register, as Illinois is one of a handful of states that allow same-day registration on Election Day. Unregistered voters must present two forms of identification, including one showing a current address, to a polling place to register and cast your ballot.

Voters are permitted to bring newspaper endorsements, printouts, sample ballots and electronic devices to view candidate information while in the voting booth.

Grace Period Registration and Voting

Grace period registration and voting extends the registration period by allowing voters to register and vote up until Monday, Nov. 5, the day before the gubernatorial election. Voters may register to vote during the grace period at any early voting location, but they must cast their vote immediately upon registration.

Same-Day Registration

Eligible voters can register to vote in-person on Election Day, but same-day registration is only possible at a voter's assigned local polling place. Voters must present two forms of identification to participate in same-day registration, one of which must show a current address.

Find My Polling Place/Sample Ballot

Lake County voters can look up their local precinct and assigned polling place on the Lake County Clerk's website. A personalized sample ballot and your assigned Election Day voting site is available for all registered voters. Lake County uses only paper ballots, which are available preprinted for voters headed to polling places close to home and can be printed on demand from touch-screen machines for voters far from home or using equipment accessible to those with disabilities.

Early Voting

Early voting for the 2018 Illinois gubernatorial election runs from Oct. 22 through the end of the day Nov. 5. Find Lake County early voting locations and hours. Voters do not need to provide an excuse or reason why they cannot vote on Election Day. A government-issued, valid ID is not required but is helpful if there is a question about your voter registration. Voter registration is available at all early voting sites.

Casting a vote for a write-in candidate

There are eligible eight write-in candidates running for offices on the ballot in Lake County. Only eligible candidates who filed declarations of intent with each local election authority will be counted. Four of the write-in candidates, including 58-year-old Wauconda man JO 753, are running for governor. Eric Sindermann of Gurnee is running for sheriff against Democratic and Republican nominees, while Terry O'Brien is running for regional superintendent of schools against an incumbent with no opponent on the ballot. The county clerk’s office will provide a list of eligible write-in candidates to each precinct on Election Day. Votes for other write-in candidates, such as fictional characters or deceased individuals, will not be counted. Check out the full list of candidates, including all valid write-in candidates

To cast a write-in vote on an optical scan ballot:

• Write the name of the write-in candidate on the line provided in a particular race.
• Fill in the oval next to the candidate's name.

In single-vote races, no other votes can be cast in a race where a write-in vote was cast. In multiple-vote races, a voter may cast one or more votes for write-in candidates, but is limited to the number of votes allowed in a given race.

Vote by mail

Any registered Lake County voter may request a mail ballot, which will be sent to the mailing address you give once -completed and received by the clerk's office. More information is available from the clerk's voting by mail department by calling 847-377-2406 or contacting votingbymail@lakecountyil.gov.

The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is noon on Nov. 1 to vote in the 2018 gubernatorial election. Ballots must be mailed with a postmark no later than midnight on Election Day or delivered by hand to the clerk's office by 7 p.m.

To complete the application, voters will need:

• Full name, address, zip code
• Birthday
• Email address, alternate mailing address are optional.

More information is available from the Lake County Clerk, including how to vote as a member of the uniformed services or as a U.S. citizen abroad, what forms of identification are needed and when.

What's on the ballot?

Statewide candidates

Governor/Lieutenant governor

• Bruce Rauner/Evelyn Sanguinetti - Republican (Incumbent)
• J.B. Pritzker/Juliana Stratton - Democrat
• Grayson Kash Jackson/Sanjeev Mohip - Libertarian
• William "Sam" McCann/Aaron Merreighn - Conservative

More:
Pritzker Campaign Releases Records Refuting Discrimination Suit
JB Pritzker Spending Nearly Doubles Gov. Rauner In Home Stretch
Illinois Governor Debate: Rauner, Pritzker Meet In Final Showdown

Attorney General

• Erika Harold - Republican
• Kwame Raoul - Democrat
• Bubba Harsy - Libertarian

Illinois AG Candidate Once Said Harassment Leads To Promiscuity
Watch: Attorney General Candidates Spar At Forum

Secretary of State

• Jesse White - Democrat (Incumbent)
• Jason Helland - Republican
• Steve Dutner - Libertarian

Comptroller

• Susana A. Mendoza - Democrat (Incumbent)
• Darlene Senger - Republican
• Claire Ball - Libertarian

Treasurer

• Jim Dodge - Republican
• Michael Frerichs - Democrat
• Michael Leheney - Libertarian

Federal Candidates

Representative in Congress, 6th District

• Peter J. Roskam - Republican (Incumbent)
• Sean Casten - Democrat

Watch candidates debate

Representative in Congress, 10th District

• Brad Schneider - Democrat (Incumbent)
• Doug Bennett - Republican

Watch candidates debate

Representative in Congress, 14th District

• Randall M. "Randy" Hultgren - Republican (Incumbent)
• Lauren Underwood - Democrat

Watch candidates debate

Illinois General Assembly Candidates

State Senator, 26th District

• Dan McConchie - Republican (Incumbent)
• Tom Georges - Democrat

State Senator, 29th District

• Julie Morrison - Democrat (Incumbent)
• Barrett Davie - Republican
  Watch candidates debate

State Senator, 30th District

• Terry Link - Democrat (Incumbent)
• Soojae Lee - Republican

State Senator, 32nd District

• Craig Wilcox - Republican (Incumbent)
• Mary Mahady - Democrat

State Representative, 51st District

• Helene Miller Walsh - Republican (Incumbent)
• Mary Edly-Allen

State Representative, 58th District

• Freric Bryan "Rick" Lesser - Republican
• Bob Morgan - Democrat
  Watch candidates debate

State Representative, 59th District

• Karen Feldman - Republican
• Daniel Didech - Democrat

State Representative, 61st District

• Sheri Jesiel - Republican (Incumbent)
• Joyce Mason - Democrat

State Representative, 62nd District

• Sam Yingling - Democrat (Incumbent)
• Ken Idstein - Republican

State Representative, 64th District

• Tom Weber - Republican
• Trisha Zubert - Democrat

County Candidates

Lake County Clerk

• Carla N. Wycoff - Democrat (Incumbent)
• Robin M. O'Connor - Republican

Lake County Treasurer

• David Stolman - Republican (Incumbent)
• Holly Kim - Democrat

Lake County Sheriff

• Mark C. Curran, Jr. - Republican (Incumbent)
• John Idleburg - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 5

• Judy Martini - Republican (Incumbent)
• Casey Kwiatkowski - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 6

• Jeff Werfel - Republican (Incumbent)
• John Wasik - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 10

• Charles "Chuck" Bartels - Republican (Incumbent)
• Jesssica Vealitzek - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 11

• Paul Frank - Democrat (Incumbent)
• Rebecca "Becky" Zeidman - Republican

Lake County Board, District 15

• Carol Calabresa - Republican (Incumbent)
• Jennifer Clark - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 17

• Michael Danforth - Republican (Incumbent)
• Maria Peterson - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 18

• Karimar "Kari" Brown - Republican
• Julie Simpson - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 19

• Craig Taylor - Republican (Incumbent)
• Geoffrey J. Petzel - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 20

• Sidney H. Mathias - Republican (Incumbent)
• Adam R. Didech - Democrat

Lake County Board, District 21

• Ann B. Maine - Republican (Incumbent)
• Susan Malter - Democrat

Note: Races with one candidate is running unopposed have not been included.

Lake County Judges

Of the 38 judges in the 19th Judicial Circuit voters, seven are on the ballot. The four candidates running to fill a vacancy or a newly added judgeship – three Republicans and one Democrat – are running unopposed.

Voters will be able to vote "yes" or "no" on whether three circuit court judges should be retained. Voters will also be able to vote on keeping a judge in the 2nd District Appellate Court.

A poll of attorneys conducted by the Illinois State Bar Association found all but one of the candidates on the ballot qualified to keep their robes.

Patricia S. Fix, a Gurnee Democrat and former Lake County prosecutor, was not recommended to be retained to the post she has held since 2012. Her lowest scores were recorded in "temperament," "meets requirements of office" and "impartiality," according to the results of the survey.

Referenda

Lake County

• Shall the Illinois General Assembly amend the State Constitution to ban the creation of a new statewide property tax? (Non-binding)

Vernon Township

• Shall the Road District of the Township of Vernon be abolished with all the rights, powers, duties, assets, property, liabilities, obligations, and responsibilities being assumed by the Township of Vernon?

Village of Beach Park

• Shall the Village of Beach Park, Lake County, Illinois, become a home rule unit?

Village of Winthrop Harbor

• Shall the Village of Winthrop Harbor become a home rule unit?

City of Zion

• Shall the City of Zion become a home rule unit?

Village of Barrington

• Shall the Corporate Authorities of the Village of Barrington be authorized to impose a Municipal Retailers’ Occupation Tax and a Municipal Service Occupation Tax (which together are commonly referred to as “municipal sales tax”) within the Village in accordance with 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.1, 5/8-11-1.2, 5/8-11-1.3, and 5/8-11- 1.4, at a rate of 1% for expenditures on public infrastructure and/or for property tax relief? 65 ILCS 5/8-11-1.2 defines “public infrastructure” as: municipal roads and streets, access roads, bridges, and sidewalks; waste disposal systems; and water and sewer line extensions, water distribution and purification facilities, storm water drainage and retention facilities, and sewage treatment facilities?
• Should the Village of Barrington provide a preference to Village residents at specific locations in the Village's commuter parking lots which are used by residents of other communities? (Non-binding)
• Should the Village of Barrington consider the use of renewable energy sources in any future projects if that does not increase the cost of the project by more than 10 percent (10%)? (Non-binding)

Village of Green Oaks

• Shall the village of Green Oaks, Lake County, Illinois be authorized to levy a new tax for General Corporate Fund purposes and have an additional tax of 0.0928% of the equalized assessed value fo the taxable propoerty there extended for such purposes?

Village of Round Lake Heights

• Shall the Village of Round Lake Heights, Lake County, Illinois, for the purpose of paying the costs of improvements and extensions to the existing water and water supply system of said Village, including such improvements and extensions as are sufficient to provide for the storage and distribution thereof, and for expenses incident thereto, issue its bonds to the amount of $2,700,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District

• Shall the Greater Round Lake Fire Protection District, Lake County, Illinois, repair, improve and equip three fire stations and purchase emergency response fleet and equipment and issue its bonds to the amount of $4,500,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

Unincorperated Avon Township

• Shall Avon Township be authorized to enter into and administer a contract for refuse collection, disposal and recycling on behalf of the residents of the unincorporated areas of Avon Township as authorized by 60 ILCS 1/210-5, et seq.?

Unincorporated Fremont Township

• Shall the Township Board of Fremont Township, Lake County Illinois, be authorized to exercise the powers of the “Township Refuse Collection and Disposal Act” as provided in Article 210 of the Township Code, 60 ILCS 1/210-5, et. seq., to enter into a contract for the collection, disposal, composting or recycling of garbage, refuse and ashes within the unincorporated area of the Township?

Unincorporated Shields Township

• Shall the Township Board of Shields Township, Lake County, Illinois, be authorized to exercise the powers of the “Township Refuse Collection and Disposal Act” as provided in Article 210 of the Township Code, 60 ILCS 1/210 et. seq. to enter into a contract for the collection, disposal, composting or recycling of garbage, refuse and ashes within the unincorporated area of the Township?

Gavin School District 37

• Shall the Board of Education of Gavin School District Number 37, Lake County, Illinois, improve the sites of and alter, repair and equip school buildings, including but not limited to replacing roofs, improving secured entrances, updating science classrooms and improving HVAC systems, and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $6,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

Hawthorn School District 73

• Shall the Board of Education of Hawthorn Community Consolidated School District Number 73, Lake County, Illinois, build and equip a school building as an addition to the Sullivan Community Center, build and equip additions to and alter, repair and equip existing school buildings, including but not limited to constructing life safety improvements and additional classrooms, improve sites and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $48,700,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?
• Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for Hawthorn Community Consolidated School District Number 73, Lake County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.10% above the limiting rate for school purposes for levy year 2017 and be equal to 3.332646% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2018?

McHenry Community High School District 158

• Shall the Board of Education of McHenry Community High School District Number 156, McHenry and Lake Counties, Illinois, build and equip additions to, alter, repair, equip and improve the sites of the McHenry West High School Campus and the McHenry East High School Campus, including, without limitation: improving student safety, security and learning environments; constructing infrastructure improvements including roofs, ventilation, environmental units, doors, plumbing, electrical improvements, parking lots, walkways and other ADA compliance improvements at both campuses; constructing a Science, Technology and Industry Center at West Campus; expanding West Campus to add classrooms to replace 26- year-old mobile classrooms and to accommodate additional students; and renovating East Campus classrooms; and issue bonds of said School District to the amount of $44,000,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?

Community College District 512

• Shall the Board of Trustees of William Rainey Harper Community College District No. 512, Counties of Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry and State of Illinois, acquire real property, build and equip new buildings, build and equip additions to and alter, equip, repair and renovate existing buildings of the District and issue the bonds of said Community College to an amount not to exceed $180,000,000 for said purposes?