Take advantage of the various ways to vote

“It’s become election season. It’s no longer just Election Day. People have multiple ways to vote, and I think they should take advantage. We have over 20 locations in Will County where people can vote early in person, or there’s the vote-by-mail option.

“Vote-by-mail is just as safe as voting in person and it’s the same process whether it’s put in a drop box or if it’s returned by mail: Ballots are given to our early-voting department; they scan them the same as they would with the ballots from the drop box; then we have poll watchers who witness the signatures.

“It’s almost like a backup plan: You can request your mail-in ballot, and if somebody still wants to vote in person, they still can do that. That mail-in ballot becomes no longer viable.

“Since 2020, people have become used to having everything delivered to them, whether it is food, clothing or even medicine. People’s lives are getting busier and Election Day voting sometimes gets pushed to the side. On the flip side, some people have become uncomfortable going into crowds or public buildings. Vote-by-mail takes care of both living styles as a convenience.

“It works for a lot of students who are away for college, or the elderly, or quite frankly, with our weather. You may be hospitalized or you’re not able to make it out on Election Day or you may not be able to get in a car and drive. Things happen.

“Early voting and vote-by-mail ballots begin Sept. 24. To find an early-voting location or to request a vote-by-mail ballot, go to willcountyclerk.gov.”

— Annette Parker, Will County Clerk and former Will County board member