Russell, Illinois Public Records

Voter registration is handled primarily through the Illinois State Board of Elections website at ova.elections.il.gov, which accepts online applications up to 16 days before an election, the deadline for both online and mail registration. Illinois also permits same-day voter registration during early voting and on election day at designated locations. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, at least 18 years old by election day, and residents of their precinct for at least 30 days. Online registration requires a valid Illinois driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Grace period registration allows same-day signup during early voting and on election day with proof of residence. Because Russell lacks municipal incorporation, residents don't vote for city council members or a mayor. Instead, they participate in Benton Township elections for township supervisor, clerk, assessor, highway commissioner, and trustees. These township contests occur in odd-numbered years during the April consolidated election. Residents also vote in all Lake County elections including the Lake County Board District 4 representative, countywide offices such as Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, Coroner, State's Attorney, and Recorder, regional offices of education, and various special district boards. Polling place assignments can be found using the Lake County lookup tool at www.lakecountyil.gov/632/Polling-Place-Lookup or by calling the Elections Division. Locations are assigned based on precinct boundaries within Benton Township. The County Clerk's website posts sample ballots specific to each precinct, giving voters a chance to review all races and referenda before heading to the polls. Under Illinois election law (10 ILCS 5), certain election records are available to the public. These include voter registration lists (available for purchase for political purposes), campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections and Lake County Clerk, candidate filing documents, precinct-level election results, and election judge rosters. Residents can access these records through the Lake County Clerk's Elections Division or the Illinois State Board of Elections website at www.elections.il.gov. Detailed precinct results for all elections appear on the Lake County Clerk's website following certification. Precincts in Russell and throughout Benton Township showed similar engagement levels typical of Lake County's northern communities. One U.S. All 118 Illinois House seats and a portion of the 59 Illinois Senate seats (Senate terms are staggered) will be contested. Lake County voters will elect County Board members for all 21 districts, the Lake County Clerk, Treasurer, Sheriff, and potentially other county offices depending on the election cycle. Russell voters in Benton Township may also see township positions and special district referenda on the ballot. Primary elections to determine party nominees will be held in June 2026. Illinois provides multiple options for casting ballots beyond traditional election day voting. Vote-by-mail (absentee) ballots can be requested online at www.lakecountyil.gov/VoteByMail or by contacting the Lake County Clerk's Elections Division. Applications for mail ballots must reach the Lake County Clerk no later than 5 days before the election. Voted mail ballots must be postmarked by election day and received within 14 days after the election to be counted. Early voting begins 40 days before the election at multiple locations throughout Lake County, with extended hours during the final week. The Lake County Clerk's office in Waukegan is a permanent early voting site, while additional temporary locations open in communities across the county during the early voting period.