As the November election approaches, our Voter Services group has been focused on the dual goals of registering and educating voters. Some highlights:
Voter Registration
Our big day for voter registration was National Voter Registration Day, September 15, when we staffed tables at Skokie Public Library, Morton Grove Public Library, and Evanston Public Library. Our local public libraries are wonderful partners to the LWVE.
In addition, we had tables at Niles North High School the next day and at the Old Orchard Mall location of LUSH Cosmetics on September 19. Our lovely, scented day at LUSH was part of a national partnership coordinated by LWVUS.
Voter Education
Vote411. You have election questions, we have answers at VOTE411 (
VOTE411.org). Voters can check their registration (and register), find out what is on their ballot, where their candidates stand on the issues, and pinpoint voting locations. A great resource to share with friends and family nationwide!
Information Tables. Our Voter Registration events are, at the same time, opportunities for Voter Education. We help voters check their registration status, share information on early voting options, and chat about the importance of being an informed and active participant in our democracy. Sometimes we happily provide other community information too, like directions to the Social Security Office and restaurant recommendations.
We also recently staffed tables that offered education only (that is, without the opportunity to register right there). One recent opportunity: The Evanston Folk Festival earlier this month. We chatted with passersby and provided handouts with information on voting—with a focus on Vote411.org—and the League of Women Voters. We also had colorful stickers for Future Voters. And at the invitation of The Indigo Girls, Becky Simon, President of the League of Women Voters of Illinois, introduced their Sunday evening concert!
Candidate Forum. Our League took the lead on organizing the
Congressional District 9 Candidate Forum, held at Skokie Public Library on September 24. The participating candidates were Daniel Biss (D) and John Elleson (R). We hope you attended—and that you found it valuable. A video of the forum is available through our
YouTube channel and the
LWVE website.
Our wonderful, energetic Voter Services team makes all this happen. We can always use more members as we work on fulfilling these core League of Women Voters missions. Interested? Contact us at
VoterServices@LWVE.org.
Finally, some key election dates:
Election Day: November 3, 2026
Mail Ballot Applications Accepted: August 5-October 26
Early Voting (all early voting locations): October 19-November 2
For a full list of key dates and details, including a list of all the US, State of Illinois, Cook County, and other offices on the ballot, visit the page on this election in the Voting and Elections section of the LWVE website. If you have questions, feel free to drop us a line at VoterServices@LWVE.org.
Sat, Sept 19– Tucker Wildes and Carol McCardell with LUSH store manager, Suemaya. At right, Gail Weisberg at the LWVE voter registration table.