Voting

Early Voting

Registered voters may cast a ballot prior to Election Day without having to provide a reason for wanting to vote early. This ballot is cast by personal appearance at the County Office Building of the election authority.

A major reason for early voting is to encourage greater participation in the election process. People who travel for business, work long hours, or are otherwise inconvenienced by the hours the polls are open on Election Day may find it easier to vote early.

The period for early voting begins the 40th day preceding an election and extends through the end of the day before Election Day.

The votes cast during the early voting period will not be counted until after the polls close on Election Day.

Electioneering is prohibited at the early voting site and a campaign-free zone will be established like it is at the polling place on Election Day.

Curbside voting can take place at an early voting site. This is where two election judges of opposite political parties deliver a ballot to a voter in their vehicle outside of the polling place.

Voting on Election Day

Polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Voters wishing to cast their ballot on Election Day can do so in their designated polling place, or at a vote center designated by their election authority.

Each jurisdiction selects a voting system from among the systems that have been tested and certified for use in Illinois by the State Board of Elections. Each voter is entitled to receive instruction on the use of the voting equipment. Disabled voters may receive assistance in voting either from the election judges or from a person of the voter’s choice.

Candidates, political parties and civic organizations are entitled to appoint pollwatchers to observe the conduct of procedures in the polling place. Voters also play a key role in helping guarantee fair elections by reporting fraudulent activities in or near the polling place.

Voting by Mail

Voting by mail is an option for voters to cast their ballot prior to Election Day. Voters can request a vote by mail ballot through the mail or in person.

Who May Apply for a Vote by Mail Ballot? 1) Any qualified elector of the state of Illinois who is properly registered to vote. 2) Registered or non-registered members of the U.S. Armed Forces while on active duty, members of the Merchant Marine, and/or U.S. government employees serving outside the U.S., as well as their spouse and dependent(s) who expect to be absent from their county of residence on Election Day. 3) Registered and non-registered citizens of the U.S. temporarily out of the country, and their spouse and dependent(s) of voting age when residing with or accompanying them who maintain a precinct residence in Illinois. 4) Any State or federal employee (and their spouse) who had a voting residence in the precinct at the time they entered employment, but who now reside elsewhere due to State or federal employment, may retain their voting rights in that precinct. Note: Dependent children or military members who have never resided in Illinois are eligible to vote, and may vote by mail.

For a Vote by Mail Ballot: Voter must obtain a vote by mail application from their election authority, in-person or online to request a vote by mail ballot. Upon receiving the application, the voter completes, signs and then returns it to the election authority.

Voting by Mail Begins: Military and overseas: 45 days prior to the election Everyone else: 40 days prior to each election

Permanent Vote by Mail: Voters can be added to a list of permanent vote by mail voters that receive an official vote by mail ballot for the general elections. This would allow voters to receive an official ballot for each general and primary election without having to apply each time. The election authority will notify qualified voters of this option for permanent vote by mail, which will include an application for permanent vote by mail.

Important Facts

• A voter may authorize any person to return their ballot to the election authority, as long as the voter has signed the affidavit on the ballot envelope affirming that authorization was given to deliver the ballot.
• Voting by mail includes the same obligations as those who vote in the polling place on Election Day.
• The affidavits on the application and the ballot envelope must be signed. These affidavits attest to the accuracy of the information provided on the application. The affidavit on the envelope also attests to the fact that the voter is voting their own ballot in secret.
• If the voter receives assistance in voting their ballot, the name and address of the individual providing the assistance must be placed on the ballot certification envelope. Remember that a candidate is NOT allowed to assist a voter unless the candidate is a spouse, parent, child, or sibling of that voter.
• Any person may produce, reproduce, distribute, or return to an election authority the application for a vote by mail ballot.