Voter Card for Voters with a Disability

A voter who has a permanent disability may wish to receive an application for ballot automatically before each election for five (5) years.  This may be done by applying for a “Voter Card for Voters with a Disability”. 

Then prior to each election you will receive an application for ballot, which you may complete, sign and return to our office. Upon receiving your signed ballot application, we will mail your ballot to you.

To apply for this service, please click here to print an application. Applications for this Voter Card will not be accepted within a thirty-day period prior to any election.

Any person with a disability may call our office at 987-5750 prior to any election to request that an application for ballot be mailed to you.

BALLOT BROUGHT TO THE CURB

Any voter who is unable to enter the polling place may request to have a ballot brought to the curb by two election judges. This request must be made at the Board of Elections no later than the Monday before the election.

To apply for this service, please click here to print a request form. The completed request should be mailed to:

        Rockford Board of Election Commissioners

        301 South 6 th Street

        Rockford, IL 61104.

However, it must be received no later than the day before the election.

AT THE POLLS

Any voter may go the polls and request assistance. The voter may bring the person of his/her choice. However, individuals who cannot assist voters include:

• an officer or agent of the voter's union,
• the voter's employer, or
• agent of that employer.

   
A voter may also request assistance from two election judges, one Democratic judge and one Republican judge. An affidavit must be completed at the polls when assistance is requested. Assistance may, also, be requested when voting absentee in the office of the election authority.

Items to assist in the voting process at the polls include:

• A signature guide
• A vote marking guide
• A magnifier
• A pen with a larger grip designed to be easier to hold

There is equipment (the AutoMARK) in each polling place that enables the blind and voters with most other disabilities to vote their ballot without assistance. Included with this equipment is a headset which allows for audio instruction. If brought with a voter, a sip and puff may be inserted into the equipment. The election judges will demonstrate the AutoMARK. An election judge will also insert the unvoted ballot and the ballot secrecy sleeve, if that assistance is required.

Please call our office with any suggestions or questions at 987-5750.

Our TDD is 967-7050 and e-mail: info@rockfordboe.org