It is up to every citizen to help insure the integrity of our elections. Everyone can help to maintain accurate voter rolls and honest elections by accurately reporting election incidents. These may involve Vote by Mail applications or ballots, Early Voting and/or voting in person at your assigned polling location on Election Day.
CLICK ON LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD INCIDENT REPORT FORM
Thoroughly complete the form with as much detail about the incident as possible.
https://www.ieip.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/ICU_IEIP-Incident-Report_rev01-11-2024.pdf
Hearsay, rumor & innuendo will not stand up in court. An affidavit may, if filled out, signed & dated. https://www.ieip.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Affidavit-for-IL.pdf
If you are a firsthand witness to an election incident, use the Incident Form (linked above) to document all information while the details are still fresh in everyone’s mind. Once you have completed the Incident Report form:
- If you are a poll watcher who was issued credentials from a political party or candidate, report incidents to that party, candidate or other issuing authority.
- If you are an Election Judge, report incidents to the local Election Authority who trained & assigned you. In most Illinois counties, that authority is your County Clerk’s office. In some larger IL counties, there is a separate Election Commission (click here to find your local election authority).
- If you are a voter, take a photo of the completed report and email to: info@ieip.org and/or call the main phone number for your chosen political party to report the incident.
- Whether you are a poll watcher, election judge, voter, etc., you may also choose to report the incident using the VotifyNow app (download the FREE app: https://votifynow.org). This tool can be used by anyone to help “crowdsource” election integrity and have “eyes on every ballot”. For more info, see this Fact Sheet. (NOTE: we do not recommend reliance on digital devices or apps for incident reporting, due to prohibited use in some polling locations or unreliable cell or wifi service).
- Note: The letters “VBM” indicate “Vote by Mail”.
A FEW TIPS TO HELP ACCURATE REPORTING
- If any VBM applications or ballots are delivered to your address in error, do NOT discard them!
- Take photos of all sides & panels of the VBM application or ballot and keep images in case they are needed in the future.
- Complete our ICU/IEIP Incident Report form (linked above). Print a copy for yourself and a copy to deliver to the election authority.
- Along with the Incident Report form, bring along any necessary supporting information. For example: ballot applications or ballots mailed to you in error; a copy of the death certificate if the election item was delivered in the name of a deceased family member; or property transfer information if you purchased the home and the election mail is addressed to a previous owner.
- Please note: by completing and submitting this form, you consent to information about this incident being shared with election authorities, attorneys or other entities that are working on election integrity issues.
Thank you for your help toward ensuring honest elections.