Very Important - - - Early Voting Information

All voters in Illinois now have three voting options. In addition to traditional Election Day, any voter can opt to vote prior to Election Day, choosing either to vote by mail or vote early in person.

Early Voting
Early Voting runs from January 11 through January 28, 2010 at 20 sites across the county. An early voter must be registered to vote and cast their ballot in person at the local Early Voting site assigned to them. Voters can visit www.VoteEarly.info to confirm they are registered, preview the official ballot (after the State Board of Elections certifies all candidates) and to see a picture and driving directions to the local early voting site. An early voter must present a valid government issued identification card containing their photograph.

Voting By Mail
A recent change in Illinois law permits any registered voter to vote by mail. Voters are not required to have a reason to vote by mail. Requests can be made for the upcoming election via email at votingbymail@lakecountyil.gov or by calling 847-377-2406. Voters participating in the primary election must provide a party preference when requesting a ballot.

For voters who like the option of not leaving the comfort of home, the Lake County Clerk's office now offers a permanent voting by mail program. Online fillable enrollment forms are available at www.VotingByMail.info which can be printed, signed and mailed to us. Permanent enrollment helps our office gauge the number of voters choosing to vote by mail and, therefore, reduce increased printing costs under the new "choice of three" voting methods.

As always, our Temporarily Absent Student program is available to students away at school. 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.

As required by state law, voting by mail requests cannot be processed until 40 days prior to Election Day (or later, subject to final certification of candidates by the State Board of Elections). Ballots cannot be mailed after January 28, 2010. Please note: voters requesting a ballot prior to Election Day are not entitled to cast a ballot on Election Day.

Election Day Voting
Voters choosing to vote on Tuesday, February 2, 2010 (it could be very cold and snowy!) can visit www.WhereDoIVote.info to find the voting site assigned to them, get driving directions, print a map and see a picture of the site. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Lake County Clerk's office at 847-377-2406.