(WTTW News)
Chicago Public Schools is expanding voting options for parents, guardians and staff in the upcoming local school representative elections amid the ongoing pandemic.
With local school council elections coming next month, CPS has announced it will let families choose between either voting in person at their respective school, submitting their ballot by mail or dropping off their mail-in ballot at their school.
“We know that parents are balancing various commitments which is why we are pleased to offer them the option to vote by mail for the upcoming LSC elections so their voices can be heard in the most seamless way possible,” CPS CEO Janice Jackson said in a statement Wednesday. “Safety is our top priority, and whether parents vote in person or by mail, we will ensure that eligible voters who want to participate in our LSC elections are able to do so.”
CPS said all parents and guardians will be sent a mail-in ballot with a prepaid return envelope.
For those who do opt to vote in person, CPS said it will have “stringent health and safety measures” in place. Those include social distancing and requirements both to wear face coverings and complete a health screening and temperature check before entering a school building.
High school students who choose to vote for student members in these LSC elections will do so using electronic ballots on Nov. 16, according to CPS, which also said it will offer curbside voting for individuals with disabilities.
The only group that will be required to vote in person is community members voting for their local school. CPS said it doesn’t have access to the information necessary to offer every prospective community voter living within a school’s boundary with a mail-in ballot.
In-person voting for elementary schools is scheduled for 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Nov. 18 , while high school voting will be held the following day, Nov. 19 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mail-in and drop-off ballots must be received by those election dates.
Contact Matt Masterson: @ByMattMasterson | [email protected] | (773) 509-5431
