State’s Attorney Outlines Plans to Monitor Tuesday’s Election Day Activities

With a significant number of candidates on the ballot in Tuesday’s mayoral and aldermanic elections and anticipating a high volume of Election Day complaints and inquiries, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office will be stepping up efforts to ensure that proper procedures are being followed and that election laws are not being violated, State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez announced today.

With nearly 200 candidates on the ballot in Chicago elections and a crowded race for Mayor,   Alvarez said her office will be prepared to respond to any issues or potential crimes in polling places, particularly in ward races with multiple candidates.  Authorities will be on high alert for any disregard of election authority, attempts at vote buying, tampering with voting machines, unlawful observation of voting or improper assistance in the voting process.

“There are a significant number of contested races on the ballot this Tuesday and we understand that when a large number of candidates are competing in close local races that tensions may run high,” Alvarez said.

“But we also remind everyone — including candidates, supporters and voters — that there will be zero tolerance for any type of illegal election activity or political mischief.  Everyone is expected to operate within the bounds of the law.”

The State’s Attorney’s Election Fraud Unit has already been monitoring early voting sites, and while allegations of voter fraud have been sporadic, the office is seeing an uptick in instances in which discounts or incentives are being offered to voters, which constitutes the illegal activity of vote buying.

“We remind all parties that it is illegal for any business or campaign to offer any type of incentive or discount to voters,” Alvarez said.

The State’s Attorney’s Office will continue its practice of visiting polling places to ensure that proper procedures are being followed and attorneys will be taking complaints and investigating infractions.  The aggressive strategy includes:

• Assigning roving teams of more than 100 Assistant State’s Attorneys to on-the-ground Election Day duty in all of Chicago’s 50 wards as well as the suburbs of Dolton and Morton Grove where contested elections will take place.

• Operation of an Election Day Central Intake and Dispatch Center to accept and assess complaints for referral to election authorities, law enforcement, or campaigns.

Election hotline number is 312-603-7960

• Rapid Response Teams made up of State’s Attorney Investigators and ASA’s available to respond to urgent calls that require immediate attention.

• Additional State’s Attorney employees at Chicago nursing homes leading up to Tuesday’s election on Friday, Saturday, and Monday to monitor the procedures while residents cast their ballots.