DeKALB | Time is running out for unregistered voters who wish to cast a ballot in the DeKalb and Sycamore consolidated elections April 17.

“The last day to register to vote in local elections is March 20,” said Sycamore city clerk Candy Smith.

The general election law of the State of Illinois, also known as Election Consolidation, states all voter registration must be completed 28 days prior to the actual election.

“The best way to register is to appear in person in front of a deputy registrar,” said Sharon Holmes, DeKalb county clerk and recorder. “You’ll have to show some identification, including your name and current address.”

One must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen to be eligible to vote.

“There are a ton of places to register,” Smith said. “You can register at the county office, the city clerk’s office and the driver’s license bureau. A lot of banks have registration, too.”

Eligible voters can also register to vote at Kishwaukee College, NIU and public libraries. “Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on election day,” Holmes said. “It says on everyone’s voter registration card where their polling place is.”

Eligible voters can choose to vote early or by absentee ballot. Absentee voting can be done by mail or in person. Military personnel stationed outside of the U.S. do not need to be registered to cast an absentee ballot. Physically disabled voters can contact the county clerk’s office to make special voter registration arrangements.

“You don’t need an excuse to vote early,” Holmes said. “With the absentee vote, you have to give a reason as to why you can’t make it to your polling place on election day,”

Early voting must be done 22 days prior to the election and five days before the actual election. Voting by absentee ballot must be completed no more than 40 or less than five days prior to the scheduled election.

“It’s very important to know who’s representing you,” Holmes said. “The people being elected are the ones responsible for our local real estate taxes and the ones who make the local laws.”

Those who wish to inquire about their registration status should call the election office at 815-895-7147.