Suburban voters can now more easily update their signatures at the Cook County Clerk's office. It's a technology improvement that officials hope will create fewer headaches when it comes to verifying voters at polling places.

Cook County Clerk Cedric Giles and Deputy Supervisor of Elections Ed Michalowski demonstrated the new system Tuesday with a mock election using test ballots. The technology replaces an outdated process for updating a voter's signature that required mailing and signing a form. Now voters can record their signature for Cook County records on a digital tablet.

“That signature will certify your mail-in ballot, your signature will be verified when you check in on Election Day,” Michalowski said.

Michalowski said switching to the new technology will enable better electronic storage and save the use of millions of pieces of paper per year.

The clerk's office also expects the system to help verify signatures on candidates' nomination applications.

The iPads with the new system will be available at Cook County polling locations and voters will be able to update their signatures before casting their ballot. The county already had the technology needed to update the signature, so there was no additional cost to implement the system, Michalowski said.

“We want their signature to be correct. Therefore, when they sign a petition, it represents their current signature,” Michalowski said.

Signatures can change and evolve over time, Michalowski said.

“If we can use technology to make things better, then we’ll be ashamed if we don’t,” Michalowski said.

There is no clear estimate of how many people will use the new system, but Michalowski said he hopes everyone will benefit from it.

Early voting begins Wednesday in five suburban courthouses. Polls will be open Monday through Friday through Sunday, October 20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Starting October 21, expanded early voting will be available in more than 50 suburban locations. Voters in suburban Cook County can also vote with 69 votes. W. Washington St., Chicago.

Early voting sites opening Wednesday:

• Bridgeview, 10220 S. 76th Ave.
• Markham, 16501 S. Kedzie Ave.
• Maywood, 1311 Maybrook Square
• Rolling Meadows, 2121 Euclid Ave.
• Skokie, 5600 W. Old Orchard Road