Rockford Board of Election Commissioners
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Welcome to the Rockford Board of Elections Commission
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How To Vote
How To Vote

Step 1-Demonstration

  • Upon entering the polling place, you should be asked if you wish to have a demonstration. Always feel free to ask how to mark the sample ballot.


Step 2-Application

  • You will be asked your name and your application for ballot will be provided.
  • Follow the judge's instruction to complete and sign your application.
  • The application will be passed to the next judges who will verify your address and signature. You will be given the top portion of the application as a receipt.


Step 3-Receive Ballot

  • You will be given the ballot and a security sleeve in which to place your ballot once you have completed voting.
  • Verify that the ballot style on the ballot matches the ballot style on your application receipt . If the styles do not match, notify the judge before you cast the ballot and you will be given the correct ballot style.


Step 4-Vote the ballot

  • Enter the next available booth.
  • Vote by darkening the oval next to the candidate of your choice. Use only a black pen to darken the oval.
  • If you choose to vote for a person not printed on the ballot, you may write the person's name on the blank line and darken the oval next to that line.
    DO NOT WRITE A CANDIDATE'S NAME IF HE/SHE IS ALREADY LISTED ON THE BALLOT, it will not count.
  • Check the office to see that you have voted for the correct number of candidates.         If you vote for more candidates than the number indicated below the office,          it is considered to be an overvote and none of the candidates for the                     overvoted office receive a vote. 
                      - The ballot with an overvoted office will not be accepted by the                                 tabulator.                                                                                           
                      -  A message will appear on the screen indicating there is an                                     overvoted office on the ballot.                                                                               - Pick up your ballot from the tabulator.                                                          - Return the ballot to the election judge at the table.                                               - The election judge will give another initialed ballot to you.
                      - You may go to a booth to vote the ballot.
  • You may vote for less than the number allowed.
  • Check both sides of the ballot for candidates and referenda.
  • If you have torn or marked your ballot incorrectly, return your ballot to the election judge and receive a new ballot.
  • When you have finished voting, place your ballot inside the security envelope, so the judge's initials show, and take it to the optical scan tabulator.

Step 5-Cast your ballot

  • The ballot box judge should ask to see the judge's initials on the ballot.
  • Hold the security sleeve loosely with two hands.
  • Use your finger to slide the ballot into the tabulator.
  • Do not hold tightly, allow the tabulator to grab the ballot from you.
  • If the ballot is not taken by the tabulator, the ballot box judge will read the displayed message and explain the reason.
    If you wish to correct the ballot, the judge will direct you to return your ballot to an election judge at the table and obtain a new ballot.
  • Once the ballot is cast into the tabulator, it has been counted.
  • Return your security sleeve to the ballot box judge.
  • The judge will hand you an "I voted sticker".


You have exercised your right to vote!


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