2020/09/21 - Mayor's Column: Upcoming Elections
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
On November 3, 2020, Americans will vote in the 2020 United States Presidential Election. The winner of the 2020 presidential election is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 20, 2021. In addition to the presidential election, there will be many other races on the ballot, including those for the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and some local elections.
Please remember that the last day to register voters for the November 3rd General Election is October 6, 2020. There are many places that you can go to register to vote, including online at https://ova.elections.il.gov/Step0.aspx, or City Hall (Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.).
Early voting for the November election will occur September 24 - November 2, 2020 at the St. Clair County Courthouse (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.). The O’Fallon Township Building at 801 East State Street will also be a permanent early voting location. Early voting at the Township building will occur October 19 – November 1, 2020, Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. and on the weekends 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
It’s hard to think past the November election, but local consolidated elections will take place on April 6, 2021. The positions of Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and seven Aldermanic seats will be on the ballot.
Local elections are very important because the decisions that our local leaders make will have a direct impact on your daily life. I encourage everyone to get involved in their local government and think about serving your community.
If you have been thinking about running for one of the positions listed above, candidate petition packets are available at City Hall or the St. Clair County Clerk’s Office beginning on September 22, 2020. Instructions about what is required of candidates, including the number of signatures needed and important dates, are included in the packets. The first day that candidates can submit their election petitions is December 14, 2020.
In order to help the candidates become informed of important issues in O’Fallon before they enter the campaign trail, O’Fallon’s City Administrator and Assistant City Administrator will hold a one-night course to provide information to all of the candidates. Topics that are covered include the basic structure of the City of O’Fallon, ongoing issues, and projects. The course is scheduled for January 13, 2021. If you are running for office, I highly encourage you make time to attend this informational session. More information about this will be shared with the registered candidates when the date approaches.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open (virtually, at least)!