The Illinois State Board of Elections is reminding voters to carefully follow vote-by-mail procedures to ensure their ballots are counted in the upcoming March 17th primary election.
In a press release issued Thursday, the board emphasized the importance of understanding postal service postmarking practices and ballot return options. Under Illinois law, vote-by-mail ballots sent via the United States Postal Service must be postmarked on or before Election Day and arrive within two weeks after Election Day to be counted.
The board cautions that ballots dropped in a mailbox or handed to a letter carrier may not receive a postmark until they are processed at a regional facility, which could take a day or two. Voters returning their ballots close to March 17th are urged to visit a postal service retail location and request a manual postmark to guarantee their ballot is dated correctly.
Additionally, most of Illinois’ 108 local election authorities provide secure drop boxes for ballot returns, offering an alternative to mailing. Voters may also deliver their completed mail-in ballots directly to their local election authority’s office.
Those wishing to vote by mail must request a ballot from their local election authority by March 12th. The Board encourages all voters to plan ahead and use the available options to ensure their votes are counted.