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Health & Fitness

March Primary Election—Where You Were May Not be Where You Are

Due to changes in legislative and County Board districts, residents need to identify where they live and who they can vote for.

The 2012 General Primary Election is coming quickly. While there will be no candidates or issues on the ballot, all St. Charles residents should educate themselves before casting their ballot.

The primary election will include races for:

  • County Board Chairman
  • State Representative
  • State Senator
  • U.S. Congress

 

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Because Illinois has a "partisan primary" system, voters must select either a "Democrat" or "Republican" ballot. What this means is that you cannot vote for Democrat and Republican candidates during the primary—you must choose one or the other. As an example, you cannot vote for both Kevin Burns and Sue Klinkhamer or Chris Lauzen and Bill Sarto. You must choose one party and then choose one candidate.

One of the complicating factors about the 2012 primary is that many of the districts were changed after the 2010 census results were finalized.

Find out what's happening in St. Charleswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At the federal level, St. Charles has been part of the 14th Congressional District for many years. Under the new map, St. Charles will be split into two Congressional districts—the 14th District and the 6th District.

At the state level, St. Charles is currently divided into two Senate districts and two House districts. Under the new map, St. Charles is split into three House districts—the 49th, 50th, and 65th. St. Charles will continue to be represented by two State Senators—the 25th and 33rd districts.

I found this nifty online application that you can use to overlay the old map with the new map to find out what districts you reside in.

St. Charles is split into three County Board districts—District 12, District 13, and District 14. A copy of the approved map for Kane County can be found here.

If you'd like additional information about elections, Kane County residents of St. Charles can get information here. DuPage County residents can get information here.

The schedule for the 2012 primary election is as follows:

Last Day to Register to Vote: Tuesday, Feb. 21

Absentee Voting Period: Thursday, Feb. 9 to Monday, March 19

Early Voting Period: Monday, Feb. 27 to Thursday, March 15

2012 General Primary: Tuesday, March 20

I urge all St. Charles residents to identify their voting districts well in advance of the election and get educated on the candidates before casting their ballot.

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