Illinois law now permits any registered voter to receive a ballot by mail. To receive a ballot by mail complete the online one-time request, contact us by email at VotingByMail@lakecountyil.us or call (847) 377-2406.
For voters who prefer not leaving the comfort of home, the Lake County Clerk’s office offers a permanent voting by mail program. Use the fillable enrollment form which can be printed, signed and mailed to us. Enrolling for permanent voting by mail helps our office gauge the number of voters who choose to vote by mail and, therefore, reduce increased printing costs under the new “choice of three” voting methods.
As required by state law, voting by mail requests cannot be processed until 40 days prior to each Election Day (or later, subject to final certification of candidates by the State Board of Elections). Ballots cannot be mailed any later than the Thursday before an election. Military personnel and voters outside the country may apply for a ballot earlier. See section below.
Snowbird Program
Voters who travel seasonally can enroll in the Snowbird Program and specify elections and an alternate address to which a ballot should be mailed. Those enrolled will automatically receive a ballot by mail as specified. Use the fillable enrollment form which can be printed, signed, and mailed to us.
Student Program
Our Temporarily Absent Student Program is available to students away at school. A student must be a registered voter in order to enroll in the program. Use the fillable enrollment form which can be printed, signed and mailed to us. Enrollment is valid for two years and each summer our office confirms the student address for the coming year away at school.
Military Voters and U.S. Citizens Residing Outside the Country
Certain persons who are not registered are eligible to vote by mail:
- Members of the uniformed service….
- U.S. citizens temporarily….
- U.S. citizens….
Members of the Uniformed Services and their family members may request a ballot by completing and submitting the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). Illinois law waives voter registration requirements. To apply for a ballot by mail, the local election official must receive your FPCA ballot request no later than 10 days before the election.
Download the FPCA form above or contact your Voting Assistance Officer for an application. For additional information, please visit The Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website.
