Voter Education

League of Women Voters^®
of the Edwardsville Area

We make voting easier through varied voter education programs.

Check your voter registration and polling site!. Voter Registration and Renewal of Voter Registrar Oath. Madison County Students New Elect US President.

Check your voter registration and polling site!

August 24, 2009
The Statewide Illinois Voter Registration System is Now Up and Running –
Check to See if Your Voter Registration Status is Correct
The Illinois Voter Registration System (IVRS) has now been updated with information from all local election authorities in Illinois. There is a public access component allowing you to check your own voter registration. Go to the Illinois State Board of Election’s website and click on “Am I Registered to Vote in Illinois” under the "What's New" heading on the left side of the page (http://www.elections.state.il.us).

Voter Registration and Renewal of Voter Registrar Oath

This summer and fall, LWVEA members were active voter registrars.
Several times League manned a table at the Goshen Market. Many members spent Saturday mornings handing out literature and registering voters. A complete of participants was not available for this bulletin.
In September we helped with the SIUE voter registration drive. That was a huge success. Members who helped were Lisa Brennan, Carol Gerdt, Mary Pearson, and Carol Gipe.
Members who worked the Madison County High School Mock Election registered students who would be 18 years old before November 4th. Approximately 200 students were registered in the 12 schools. LWVEA members who helped were Wilma Jene Bond, Lisa Brennan, Ruth Ellis, Carol Gipe, Pat Hulme, Kathy Jones, Glenny Lanning, Susan Lucco, Ellen Nore, Carol Reinking, Sue Webb.
Effective December 1st, 2008, all voter registrars must renew their certification. Whether your oath was administered two months ago or two years ago, it expires on that date. The County Clerk's office will have a current copy of the League membership roster. Anytime after December 1st, be sure to go to the Madison County Court House and renew your registrar status.
M. Carol Gipe Voter Service Chair

Madison County Students New Elect US President

Over 8,000 high school students in 12 Madison County schools elected Senator Barack Obama in the Illinois Student Vote mock elections on Tuesday, September 30th. Students headed to voting booths brought to their schools and used ballots designed and printed especially for the day. Votes at most schools were tabulated using authentic vote tabulators provided by the Madison County Clerk's office and grant monies from Illinois Student Vote and the League of Women Voters Illinois.
Though mock elections have taken place in schools for some time, this mock election was decidedly different in that not only were students given the opportunity to replicate an authentic voting experience, but their votes will now be recognized at IllinoisStudentVote.org along with results from schools across the entire state. This also marks the first time all the schools in the county were coordinated to hold mock elections on the same day. Voting results for all participating Illinois schools will be posted on the website on October 30th.
Madison County high schools were contacted in April and May by the League of Women Voters of Collinsville and Edwardsville Area who were working with County Clerk Mark Von Nida and the League of Women Voters Illinois. The website, IllinoisStudentVote.org, set up by the LWVIL, offered teachers and schools lesson plans and curriculum as well as provided a source for teachers and schools to report their voting results.
With cooperation from school administrators, organization took shape as the school year began, and September 30th was chosen as election day for the twelve schools participating. Von Nida was recognized in the LWVIL summer newsletter for his outstanding efforts and cooperation to make the event possible. The Leagues of Collinsville and the Edwardsville Area helped organize the event by working with schools and coordinating volunteers. High schools participating include Alton, Collinsville, CMHS, East Alton/Wood River, Edwardsville, Granite City, Highland, Madison, Marquette Catholic, Metro East Lutheran, Roxana and Triad.
In addition to the mock election activities, some students have taken part in election judge training programs and will work at polling places on election day. Other students, who are or will be of legal voting age by November 4th, were also given the chance Tuesday to register as voters.
Obama was the students' choice overall, but in Highland, at Marquette Catholic, and at Metro East Lutheran, McCain was victorious. Countywide, McCain finished with 2,838 votes (34.92%), Obama with 4,758 votes (58.54%), and Nadar with 309 votes (3.8%). McKinney had 86 votes (1.06%), Barr 68 (.84%), Polchek 31 (.38%), and Baldwin 38 (.47%). Individual school results will be posted at IllinoisStudentVote.org.

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: August 28, 2010 07:15 PDT.