Hospitalized Registered Voters May Still Vote

Even being in a hospital shouldn't stop you from casting your vote on April 5.

Lake County Clerk Willard Helander announced today that registered voters who are admitted to a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation center within 14 days of the April 5, 2011 Consolidated Election may qualify for personal delivery of a ballot, if certain conditions are met.

The voter must complete a request form titled Application for Ballot for Qualified Voter Admitted to a Hospital, Nursing Home or Rehabilitation Center. The voter's physician is required to complete the accompanying Affidavit of Attending Physician. Forms are available by contacting Mary Ann Potter of the Lake County Clerk's office at (847) 377-2311.

"The 14 day timeframe to request a ballot for delivery to a healthcare facility is very helpful to anyone who is seriously ill," said Helander in a statement. "In the past, when the period was shorter, some patients who were not well enough to travel to the voting site were unable to qualify to vote."

All required forms must be completed and returned to the Lake County Clerk's office prior to the voter's certificate of application and ballot being issued.

To keep current on County Clerk services and election news, visit LakeCountyClerk.info; twitter.com/ClerkWillard; facebook.com/CountyClerk; subscribe to the e-newsletter; or call (847) 377-2400.