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'Hamilton' Cast Makes Sure Chicagoans Do Not Miss Their Shot To Vote

By Heather Cherone | October 21, 2016 3:54pm
 Miguel Cervantes, who plays $10 bill founding father Alexander Hamilton, thanks a Chicago woman for registering to vote.
Miguel Cervantes, who plays $10 bill founding father Alexander Hamilton, thanks a Chicago woman for registering to vote.
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DNAinfo/Heather Cherone

DOWNTOWN — Members of the Chicago company of "Hamilton" hit the streets of Downtown to make sure Chicagoans are in the room where it happens on Election Day.

Led by Miguel Cervantes, who plays $10 bill founding father Alexander Hamilton, and Karen Olivo, who plays his sister-in-law Angelica Schuyler, the cast joined forces with Cook County Clerk David Orr to register voters at the Private Bank Theater where the musical phenomenon opened to rave reviews this week.

Olivo acknowledged that it was "incredibly meta" for the cast of the musical focused on political legacies, immigrant rights and the role of powerful women to be stepping into the real-life election set to be decided Nov. 8.

"I'm so impressed by the number of people who are confidently responding, 'Yes!' or 'I already voted!' when I approached them," Olivo said. "I believe this is an incredibly important election, and it is great to hear people agree."


Karen Olivio, who plays Angelica Schuyler in "Hamilton," encourages a Chicago man to register to vote. [DNAinfo/Heather Cherone]

Cervantes called it a "crazy situation" to be performing in a musical that depicts one of the most tumultuous times in American politics while presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton are embroiled in one of the nastiest elections in recent memory.

"It is an important time," Cervantes said. "We get to sing and dance about it every day. Now we get to do something about it."

Micah Kronlokken, 30, said he knew he needed to register to vote in Chicago after moving to the city from Minnesota.

"I figured if I can meet the cast of Hamilton, that made the decision for me," said Kronlokken, who proudly wore a sticker that boasted about his voter registration status.

To register to vote, Chicago residents must be a citizen, at least 18 years old by Nov. 8 and a resident of their precinct for at least a month, officials said. To register, voters need two forms of identification, one with a current address.

The deadline to register online is Sunday. An Illinois identification card or driver's license is required, officials said.

Citywide early voting starts Monday and ends Nov. 7, officials said.

The last day to request a mail ballot is Nov. 3, officials said.

[DNAinfo/Heather Cherone]

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