Vote-by-mail (absentee voting) is available in Illinois and no excuse is required. The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 days before the election. You can return your absentee ballot request form through the mail, a secure drop box, or in person.
Voted ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within two weeks in order to be counted. Absentee ballots begin being counted on Election Day. Contact your local elections office for more information.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE ABSENTEE?
In Illinois, all registered voters are permitted to vote absentee.
HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
There are multiple ways to apply for an absentee ballot in Illinois:
1) Permanent Vote-by-mail List:
If you are a registered voter in Illinois, you may apply to be added to a permanent vote-by-mail list. Submit the completed form to your local elections office. Voters will still have the option to vote-by-mail for a single election. The permanent vote-by-mail application will be available online closer to the next election here.
2) Request a One-Time Ballot-by-Mail
To receive a vote-by-mail ballot for a single election, complete the absentee ballot request form, and submit it to your local elections office through the mail, a secure drop box, or in person. Contact your county clerk if you have more questions.
3) Accessible Absentee Ballot
Voters with print disabilities may receive their vote by mail ballots through electronic transmission, which allows a voter with a print disability to mark and verify their vote by mail ballot using their own assistive technologies. Voters with print disabilities can complete the Accessible Vote by Mail Application (either Permanent or Single Election) and submit it to their local election office. Download the form here.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
You can request an absentee ballot:
- Online / Email: no more than 90 days or less than 5 days before the election
- In person - no more than 90 days but before 1 day before the election
- By mail inside the US - no more than 90 days or less than 5 days before the election
- By mail outside the US - no less than 30 days before the election (to receive the full ballot), or less than 30 days but no more than 10 days before the election to receive the Federal Ballot only
Upon receipt, complete the application. Make certain to include your name, home address, address where you want the ballot to be mailed, and please remember to sign the application.
After completing the application, either mail it or hand-deliver it to your election authority. If you return the application in person or complete the application in the election authority's office, you may immediately vote with your absentee ballot in the election authority's office. If you mail the application and it is properly completed, the election authority will mail your absentee ballot to you.
DO I HAVE TO REQUEST AN EARLY MAIL BALLOT EACH YEAR?
Illinois voters have the option to apply to be added to a permanent vote-by-mail list.
WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Voted absentee ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within two weeks in order to be counted.
WHEN ARE ABSENTEE BALLOTS MAILED OUT TO VOTERS WHO HAVE REQUESTED THEM?
Election officials will start mailing out ballots about 40 days before the election to those who have requested them.
HOW DO I COMPLETE MY ABSENTEE BALLOT?
After receiving your ballot, vote the ballot in secret. Insert the ballot into the envelope provided, seal it, complete and sign the certification on the back, and personally return it or mail it.
You have the option to authorize, in writing, that a spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, or licensed motor carrier, should deliver the completed absentee ballot to the election authority in sufficient time to be delivered to the polling place on Election Day.
HOW CAN I RETURN MY ABSENTEE BALLOT?
You can return your ballot by mail, in person, or a secure ballot drop box, if available. Please contact your local election authority for additional information.
CAN I TRACK MY MAILED ABSENTEE BALLOT?
Some counties have a ballot tracking signup. Please contact your local elections office to find out if it’s offered.
WHAT IF I REQUESTED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT BUT WANT TO VOTE IN PERSON?
To vote in person if you received an absentee ballot, you must bring your mailed ballot to the election site and turn it in to the election judge. If you do not have the mailed ballot with you, you can vote a provisional ballot.
HOW DO I REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT AS AN OVERSEAS OR US MILITARY VOTER?
Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.
Request your Ballot