Clerk urges voters to vet election sources, utilize official sites

COOK COUNTY | Cook County Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough on Wednesday urged voters to take time to check the sources of election-related information, and when in doubt go to the county and city websites and social media sites to verify what they see and hear.

“Election security is at the forefront of everything we are doing to prepare for and make sure that the Presidential Primary runs as smoothly as it can,” Yarbrough said at a news conference with Chicago election officials Wednesday morning. “We will do everything we can to protect and defend our election systems in suburban Cook County, but voters need to be vigilant, as well. The same type of people who would try to interfere with our election network would also seek to create confusion, apathy and division by targeting voters with bad information.”

Yarbrough made her comments at a joint press conference held with Chicago Election Board Chairwoman Marisel Hernandez to announce the start of the statutory Early Voting period for the March 17 Primary. From Feb. 19 to March 1, suburban Cook County voters will be able to vote at a limited number of sites throughout Cook County, including Yarbrough’s Loop office and five suburban courthouses. Suburban Cook County’s full complement of 54 sites will be open for voting at the traditional start of Early Voting, which will fall on March 2 for this election.

“If anything happens that may affect voting at a particular site, we will notify voters through our website, Facebook and Twitter pages. If someone tells you your polling place is closed or the election has been moved to Thursday, verify it before you believe it or repeat it. It’s like that old Chicago news adage, even if your mother tells you something’s happened with the election or your polling place, check it out.”

Yarbrough points to efforts such as Trusted Info 2020, a new education effort by the National Association of Secretaries of State to promote election officials as the trusted sources of election information.

“Trusted Info 2020 drives voters directly to election officials’ websites and social media pages, ensuring that voters get accurate election information, cutting down on the misinformation and disinformation that we know will be out there this year,” Yarbrough said.

The Clerk also noted Election Judges are still needed in certain areas of suburban Cook County for Election Day, and for Early Voting at Cook County Jail. This election is the first time there will be actual polling places inside the jail. Election Judges earn $200 a day. Voters interested in either opportunity should visit the Clerk’s website, cookcountyclerk.com/work to apply.   

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