Suburban voters can now more easily update their signatures with the Cook County clerk’s office, which leaders hope will cause fewer headaches when verifying candidates’ petitions to get on a ballot.
Cook County Clerk Cedric Giles and Deputy Clerk of Elections Ed Michalowski demonstrated the new system Tuesday using a mock election with test ballots. The tech replaces an antiquated process to update a voter’s signature that involved mailing and signing a form. Now, voters can record their most recent signature on an iPad for Cook County records.
The iPads with the new system will be available at Cook County polling places and voters can update their signatures before casting their ballots. The county already had the technology required to update the signature, so implementing the system didn’t come at an extra cost, Michalowski said.
“We want their signature to be accurate so when they sign a petition, it represents their current signature,” Michalowski said. “It might seem like a small, insignificant thing that we’ve eliminated paper, but it really gives our voters the opportunity, when they are presented with a petition, to have their accurate signature represented.”
Signatures can change and evolve over time, Michalowski said.
“When we can leverage technology to make things work better, shame on us if we don’t,” Michalowski said.
There’s no clear estimate of how many people will use the new system, but Michalowski said he hopes everyone will take advantage.
Early voting begins Wednesday at five suburban courthouses. The polling places will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Sunday, Oct. 20. Expanded early voting will be available at more than 50 suburban locations beginning Oct. 21. Suburban Cook County voters also may cast a ballot at 69. W. Washington St., Chicago.
Early voting sites opening Wednesday:
Bridgeview, 10220 S. 76th Ave.Markham, 16501 S. Kedzie Ave.Maywood, 1311 Maybrook SquareRolling Meadows, 2121 Euclid Ave.Skokie, 5600 W. Old Orchard Road