Petition Instructions

1. You must be at least 18 years of age. However, if you are 17 years old and will be 18 by the date of the General Election, and are a U.S. citizen, you may also circulate this petition.

2. You may circulate this petition regardless of whether you have ever voted in a Republican primary, a Democratic Primary or no Primary Election or General Election at all.

3. You must personally witness all of the signatures that are made on this petition – no exceptions.

4. You may circulate this petition anywhere, but the signers must be registered voters in Madison County.

5. You may also sign this petition if you are a registered voter within Madison County.

6. You may not circulate petitions for more than one political party.

7. Petitions with fewer than 10 names do count. If you are not able to fill an entire petition, send in the partially completed petition. Each signature counts.

8. If you learn a signature is not valid, do not worry. Bad signatures do not knock out other good signatures or invalidate a petition. HOWEVER, known bad signatures should be brought to the attention of the campaign, so that they can be officially deleted. A circulator who recklessly and routinely disregards the signature gathering rules may have an entire sheet stricken even though some signatures are valid.

9. You must sign as the circulator of the petition before a Notary Public licensed in Illinois and the Notary Public must affix his/her seal or stamp. Most banks and libraries will notarize free of charge. Do not sign the circulator’s affidavit until you are seated in front of a notary – no exceptions.

10. DO NOT number the petition page.