Cook County rolls out election technology to update, verify suburban voters’ signatures

Suburban voters can now more easily update their signatures with the Cook County Clerk's office, an upgrade in technology that officials hope will cause fewer headaches when verifying voters at polling places.

Cook County Clerk Cedric Giles and Deputy Clerk of Elections Ed Michalowski demonstrated the new system Tuesday using a mock election with test ballots. The tech replaces an antiquated process to update a voter's signature that involved mailing and signing a form. Now, voters can record their signature on a digital tablet for Cook County records.

"That signature will verify your mail ballot, your signature will verify when you check in on Election Day," Michalowski said.

Michalowski said the shift to include the new technology will allow for better electronic storage and eliminate the use of millions of pieces of paper per year.

The clerk's office also expects the system to help verifying signatures on candidates' nomination petitions.

The iPads with the new system will be available at Cook County polling places and voters can update their signatures before casting their ballots. The county already had the technology required to update the signature, so implementing the system didn't come at an extra cost, Michalowski said.

"We want their signature to be accurate so when they sign a petition, it represents their current signature," Michalowski said.

Signatures can change and evolve over time, Michalowski said.

"When we can leverage technology to make things work better, shame on us if we don't," Michalowski said.

There's no clear estimate of how many people will use the new system, but Michalowski said he hopes everyone will take advantage.

Early voting begins Wednesday at five suburban courthouses. The polling places will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Sunday, Oct. 20. Expanded early voting will be available at more than 50 suburban locations beginning Oct. 21. Suburban Cook County voters also may cast a ballot at 69. W. Washington St., Chicago.

Early voting sites opening Wednesday:

• Bridgeview, 10220 S. 76th Ave.
• Markham, 16501 S. Kedzie Ave.
• Maywood, 1311 Maybrook Square
• Rolling Meadows, 2121 Euclid Ave.
• Skokie, 5600 W. Old Orchard Road