Prepared by M. Murphy, IAPD General Counsel

The time within which any act provided by the election code is to be done shall be computed by excluding the first day and including the last, unless the last day is Saturday or Sunday or is a holiday as defined or fixed in any statute, and then it shall also be excluded. If the day succeeding such Saturday or Sunday is also a holiday or a Saturday or Sunday, then such succeeding day shall also be excluded.

This calendar does not include the nomination and/or election of officials of park districts, municipalities or other special districts.

Date for the GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION March 19. 1996

1995

Thursday, NOVEMBER 2,1995
First day notice of intention to file a petition to create a political subdivision whose officers are to be elected, rather than appointed, may be published in a newspaper within the proposed political subdivision, or if none, in a newspaper of general circulation within the proposed territory. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

Saturday, DECEMBER 2,1995
Last day notice of intention to file a petition to create a political subdivision whose officers are to be elected, rather than appointed, may be published in a newspaper within the proposed political subdivision, or if none, in a newspaper of general circulation within the proposed territory. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

Monday, DECEMBER 4,1995
Last day to file petitions (must contain original sheets signed by voters and circulators) to create a political subdivision with the appropriate officer or board. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

NOTE: Objections can be filed on or before the date of the hearing with the appropriate circuit court clerk. (10 ILCS 5/28-4)

NOTE: If initial officers are to be elected at the election for creation of a new unit of government, candidates for such offices shall file nomination papers 78-71 days before such election. (10 ILCS 5/10-6)

NOTE: The circuit court clerk shall publish the hearing date for a public policy petition filed in his/her office not later than 14 days after the petition is actually filed, but at least 5 days before the actual hearing. (Final orders within 7 days of hearings.) (10 ILCS 5/28-4)

Monday, DECEMBER 11,1995
First day for candidates of established political parties to file original nomination papers. (Monday, December 11, 1995, is the last day for candidate filing for federal, state, legislative and judicial offices or for any office to be elected by the voters of more than one county.)

Monday, DECEMBER 11,1995
Last day to file objections to a petition to create a political subdivision in the office of the county clerk. (10 ILCS 5/28-4)

Wednesday, DECEMBER 20,1995
Last day for written notice of the time and place for conducting lottery shall be given when two or more petitions are received simultaneously for the same office and party as of the opening hour of the filing period, December 11,1995. Notice shall be given by the State Board of Elections to the Chairman of each established political party, and by the Election Authority to the chairman of each political party and to each organization of citizens within the election jurisdiction entitled to have poll watchers present at the last preceding election. Notice must also be posted at the entrance of each office. (10 ILCS 5/7-12(6), 10-6.2)

Tuesday, DECEMBER 26,1995
Last day for an individual who has filed for two or more incompatible offices to withdraw from all but one of the offices (with whichever election authority the nomination papers were originally filed). (10 ILCS 5/7-12(9), 10-7)

Tuesday, DECEMBER 26,1995
Last day for filing objections to the nomination papers of all candidates (other than precinct or ward committeemen) in the office of the State Board of Elections or the county clerk (with whichever election authority the nomination papers were originally filed). (10 ILCS 5/7-12.1,10-8)

Wednesday, DECEMBER 27,1995
Last day a lottery shall be conducted by the election authority or the State Board of Elections when two or more petitions

Illinois Parks & Recreation • November/December 1995 * 13

Friday, DECEMBER 29,1995
Last day for filing petitions (must contain original sheets signed by voters and circulators) for referenda for the submission of questions of public policy (local). (EXCEPTION: proposition to create a political subdivision.) (10 ILCS 5/28-2,28-6, 28-7)

1996

Tuesday, JANUARY 2,1996
First day for citizens of the United States temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the United States who are not registered but otherwise qualified to vote and who expect to be absent from their county of residence on election day to make simultaneous application to the election authority having jurisdiction over their precinct of residence for absentee registration and an absentee ballot. (10 ILCS 5/20-2.1,20-3)

NOTE: Absentee registration shall be required for citizens temporarily residing outside the United States in order to vote the entire ballot.
Monday, JANUARY 8,1996
Last day to file objections to petitions for the submission of questions of public policy. (EXCEPTION: proposition to create a political subdivision.) (10 ILCS 5/10-8. 28-4)

Tuesday, JANUARY 16,1996
Last day for local governing boards to adopt a resolution or ordinance to allow questions of public policy as authorized by law to appear on the ballot. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

Thursday, JANUARY 18,1996
Last day for the circuit court clerk and the local election official to certify any question of public policy to the election authority having jurisdiction over the political subdivision. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)

Thursday, JANUARY 18,1996
Last day for the county clerk to certify to the board of election commissioners any referenda to be submitted to the voters in its jurisdiction. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)

Saturday, FEBRUARY 3,1996
Last day for the election authority to have a sufficient number of ballots printed and available in his office for mailing to persons in the United States Service or their spouse and dependents and citizens temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the United States. (10 ILCS 5/16-5.01)

Thursday, FEBRUARY 8,1996
First day for any registered voter presently within the confines of the United States, who expects to be absent from his county of residence on election day, to make application by mail or in person to the election authority for an official ballot. (10ILCS 5/19-2)

NOTE: MOST FIRST TIME VOTERS WHO REGISTER BY MAIL MUST VOTE IN PERSON, EITHER IN PERSON ABSENTEE OR AT PRECINCT POLLING PLACE.
NOTE: Certain situations other than absence from residence also permit application for absentee ballot to be made. (10 ILCS 5/19-3)
Thursday, FEBRUARY 8,1996
Last day for civic organizations and proposition proponents or opponents to register their names and addresses and the names and addresses of their principal officers with the proper election authority if the organization wants to qualify for pollwatcher at the General Primary Election. (10 DLCS 5/7-34)

Sunday, FEBRUARY 18, 1996
First day for election authority to publish notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction. (10 ILCS 5/12-5)

Sunday, FEBRUARY 25,1996
First day for election authority to supply absentee ballot materials to local election officials who conduct in-person absentee voting. (10 ILCS 5/19-2.1)

Monday, FEBRUARY 26,1996
First day for local election officials (qualified, municipal and district clerks) to conduct in-person absentee voting. (10 ILCS 5/19-2.1).

Wednesday, FEBRUARY 28,1996
Last day for the election authority to publish newspaper notice of primary election in counties of less than 500,000 inhabitants. (10 ILCS 5/7-15)

Tuesday, MARCH 5,1996
Deadline for the election authority to have pollwatcher credentials available for distribution. (10 ILCS 5/7-34)

Note: Pollwatcher credentials may be distributed prior to this date. Credentials must be available on this date.
Saturday, MARCH 9,1996
Last day for the election authority to publish a notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction. (10 DLCS 5/12-5)

Thursday, MARCH 14,1996
Last day for the election authority to receive application by mail from any registered voter presently within the confines of the United States, who expects to be absent from his/her county of residence on election day and the last day of the election authority to mail such ballot. (10 ILCS 5/19-2)

Thursday, MARCH 14,1996
Last day for the election authority to publish the specimen ballot labels, as near as

14 * Illinois Parks & Recreation • November/December 1995

Friday, MARCH 15,1996
Last day (by 5:00 p.m.) a person may file a notarized Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate with the proper election authority. Write-ins shall be counted only for persons who have filed the Declaration of Intent. (10 ILCS 5/7-59 (b))

NOTE: If a candidate, whose name is printed on the ballot, dies after 5:00 p.m., the declaration of intent may be filed no later than 12:00 noon on Monday, immediately preceding the primary (March 19,1996).

Friday, MARCH 15,1996
Last day for the election authority to have official ballots available for inspection by candidates or their agents. (10 ILCS 5/16-5)

Monday, MARCH 18,1996
Last day for any registered voter presently within the confines of the United States, who expects to be absent from his county of residence on election day, to make application in person to the election authority, or municipal, township or road district clerk who is authorized to conduct absentee voting. (10 ILCS 5/19-2)

NOTE: Certain situations other than absence form county of residence also permit application for absentee ballot to be made.

TUESDAY, MARCH 19,1996 GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION

Tuesday, MARCH 26,1996
Last day for canvassing of election results by proper canvassing board. (10 ILCS 5/7-56. 22-1)

DISCOVERY RECOUNT
Within 5 days after the last day for proclamation of the results, petitions for discovery recount may be filed by any qualified individual with the appropriate county clerk, or board of election commissioners. (10 ILCS 5/22-9.1)

Dates for the GENERAL ELECTION November 5, 1996

Friday, MAY 3,1996
Last day to file a statewide petition for advisory public policy question with the State Board of Elections. (10 ILCS 5/28-9)

NOTE: Technically, the last day to file is Sunday, May 5,1996; however, the State Board of Elections does not have office hours on Sunday. Because the Illinois Election Code requires petitions for advisory questions to be filed not less than 6 months prior to the general election, the date is moved to Friday, May 3,1996.

Sunday, MAY 5,1996
Last day to file petition with the Secretary of State to amend Article IV of the State Constitution. (10 ILCS 5/28-9)

Monday, MAY 6,1996
Last day for the Secretary of State to deliver a petition to amend the Constitution to the State Board of Elections. (10 ILCS 5/28-9)

Monday, MAY 13,1996
Within 7 days following the last day for the filing of the petition, proponents and opponents shall certify in writing to the State Board of Elections that they publicly support or oppose the proposed Constitutional amendment or statewide advisory question of public policy. Said individuals shall register with the State Board of Elections the name and address of its group and the name and address of its chairman and designated agent for acceptance of service of notices. (ILCS Chap.10, Sec. 5/28-13)

Wednesday, MAY 15,1996
Last day proponents for petitions for either a statewide advisory question of public policy or to amend the Constitution, shall file copies of sectioned election jurisdiction petition sheets with each proper election authority and obtain a receipt therefore. (10 ILCS 5/28-10)

Friday, MAY 17,1996
Last day for the State Board of Elections to conduct a hearing at which proponents may present arguments and evidence as to the conformity of any purported nonconforming signature. (10 ILCS 5/28-10)

Thursday, JUNE 20,1996
First day notice of intention to file a petition to create a political subdivision, whose officers are to be elected rather than appointed, may be published in a newspaper within the proposed political subdivision, or if none, in a newspaper of general circulation within the proposed territory. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

Monday, JUNE 24,1996
Last day to file objections to petitions to amend Article IV of the Illinois Constitution and statewide advisory questions in the office of the State Board of Elections. (Objections to petitions must be filed in duplicate.) (10 ILCS 5/10-8)

Saturday, JULY 20,1996
Last day notice of intention to file a petition to create a political subdivision, whose officers are to be elected rather than appointed, may be published in a newspaper within the proposed political subdivision, or if none, in a newspaper of general circulation within the proposed territory. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

Monday, JULY 22,1996
Last day to file a petition (must contain

Illinois Parks & Recreation • November/December 1995 • 15

original sheets signed by voters and circulators) to create a political subdivision with the appropriate officer or board. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

NOTE: Objections can be filed on or before the date of the hearing with the appropriate officer or board. (10 ILCS 5/28-2)

NOTE: If initial officers are to be elected at the election for creation of a new unit of government, candidates for such offices shall file nomination papers 78-71 days before such election (August 19-26,1996).

NOTE: The circuit court clerk shall publish the hearing date for a public policy petition filed in his/her office not later than 14 days after the petition is actually filed, but at least 5 days before actual hearing. (Final order within 7 days of hearing.)

Monday, JULY 29,1996
Last day to file objections to petitions to create apolitical subdivision in the office of the election authority. (10 ILCS 5/28-4)

Monday, AUGUST 19,1996
Last day for riling petitions (must contain original sheets signed by voters and circulators) for referenda for the submission of questions of public policy (local). (EXCEPTION: proposition to create a political subdivision.) (10 ILCS 5/28-2, 28-6, 28-7)

Monday, AUGUST 26,1996
Last day to file objections to petitions for the submission of questions of public policy. (EXCEPTION: proposition to create a political subdivision.) (10 ILCS 5/10-8, 28-4)

Friday, AUGUST 30,1996
Last day for the State Board of Elections to certify questions to amend the Constitution of Illinois and any statewide questions of public policy to the county clerks. (5 ILCS 20/2a; 10 ILCS 5/28-5)

Tuesday, SEPTEMBER 3,1996
Last day for local governing boards to adopt a resolution or ordinance to allow a question of public policy to appear on the ballot.(10 ILCS 5/28 -2)

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 5,1996
Last day for the county clerk to certify to the board of election commissioners any referenda to be submitted to the voters in its jurisdiction. (10 ILCS 5/28-5)

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 26,1996
First day for any registered voter presently within the confines of the United States, who expects to be absent from his county of residence on election day, to make application by mail or in person to the election authority for an official ballot. (10 ILCS 5/19-2)

NOTE: Certain situations other than absence from county of residence also permit application for absentee ballot to be made. (10 ILCS 5/19-3)

Thursday, SEPTEMBER 26,1996
Last day for civic organizations and proposition proponents or opponents to register their names and addresses and the names and addresses of their principal officers with the proper election authority if the organization wants to qualify for poll watchers at the General Election. (10 ILCS 5/17-23)

Saturday, OCTOBER 5,1996
Last day for the Secretary of State to publish and mail to every registered voter a copy of the pamphlet giving the proponents and opponents views on amendments to the Constitution of Illinois. (5 ILCS 5/20-2)

Sunday, OCTOBER 6,1996
Last day for newspaper publication of notice of the General Election. (10 ILCS 5/12-1)

Saturday, OCTOBER 26,1996
Last day for the election authority to publish a notice of any question of public policy to be voted upon within its jurisdiction. (10 ILCS 5/12-5)

Monday, NOVEMBER 4,1996
Last day for any registered voter, presently within the confines of the United States, who expects to be absent from his county of residence on election day, to make application in person to the election authority or approved local election official for an official ballot. (10 ILCS 5/19-2)

NOTE: Certain situations other than absence from residence also permit application for absentee ballot to be made. (10 ILCS/5/19-3)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5. 1996 GENERAL ELECTION

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 12,1996
Last day for canvassing election results by proper canvassing board (county canvassing board or board of canvassers). (10 ILCS 5/22-1)

1997

Friday, JANUARY 3,1997
First day for term of office for Federal officers elected at the November 5, 1996, General Election.

Wednesday, JANUARY 8,1997
Newly elected members of the General Assembly shall convene and organize their respective chambers.

Monday, JANUARY 20,1997
First day for term of the offices of President and Vice President of the United States.

16 • Illinois Parks & Recreation • November/December 1995