The Illinois Primary Election is coming up on March 19! New voters and anyone seeking reliable information on the voting process need look no further than the Aurora Public Library District (APLD). Library staff members have been preparing for months by compiling resources, planning programs, and educating themselves on the procedures and processes of registering the public to vote. As we head into this election year, it’s our goal to provide you with the most accurate information possible.
Elections are a complex and fast-changing topic. Verifying the credibility of a source can be challenging, especially online. “We know we live in a world in which misinformation can easily spread on the internet, and the Library is a place where our community can go for accurate, nonpartisan information,” said Genealogy and Community History Librarian Cailín Cullen. We make it as easy as possible for people to find where, how, and when to vote for upcoming elections. Luckily for Aurora, we’ve made these details easy to digest on our Voter Resources webpage, a nonpartisan resource for the counties we serve.
Our webpage is a one-stop-shop for local voters. “We’ve had our Voter Resources webpage as a resource for several years now, but we decided to expand the initiative after our experience with the 2020 Census,” said Cullen. “It made sense to do a similar Library-wide, coordinated effort to get voting information to our community.” The webpage is tailored for Aurora residents and covers DuPage, Kane, Kendall, and Will Counties.
You’ll find voter registration forms, early voting dates, polling place locations, sample ballots, applications to vote by mail, and an election calendar with important dates all the way through the General Election in November. There are resources for Spanish speakers as well. “Voting is an important way for our community to make their voices heard. We want to provide as much information as possible to make it easy for folks to vote,” added Cullen. You can learn more by attending upcoming Library programs and viewing our displays highlighting the importance of educating yourself about the election.
If you prefer to be more hands on or want to speak to someone directly, APLD has some great programs lined up to help educate. For new voters, a bilingual ‘Voting Basics’ program is planned for February 22 at the Santori Library. For those who’d like to be more involved but aren’t sure how, check out ‘How to Become an Election Judge’ at the Eola Road and West Branch in March. An interactive exhibit titled “What’s Important to Aurora” will be on display from February 19-March 19 at the Santori Library. It’s designed to get our community thinking and customers can vote for which political issues matter the most to them. No registration required to vote in the exhibit, but you DO need to make sure you’re registered to vote for the Primary Election.
Select APLD staff are trained deputy registrars and can register customers during their regular Library visit (dependent on staff availability). In addition, the League of Women Voters will be at several of our upcoming events to register voters, including First Fridays in both February and March. If you haven’t updated your voter registration lately, now is the time to do so!
Whether you’re looking for information on candidates or ballot measures, or simply need a quiet space to fill out your mail-in ballot, the library has got you covered. Remember, voting is a crucial part of our democracy and it’s important to exercise your right to do so. So next time you’re at the library, don’t forget to take advantage of the voting resources we have available. We are here to support and empower you as a voter. Happy voting!
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.