With the Illinois primary just around the corner, Chicago voters have until March 14 to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot, a convenient option for those unable to make it to the polls on Election Day, NBC Chicago reports. Interested voters can find the necessary applications on the State Board of Elections website or by visiting a county clerk’s office in person, but remember, the clock is ticking as that application needs to be submitted by this Thursday to be eligible.
Eligibility to participate in vote-by-mail is open to any properly registered Illinois voter and includes options for a single election ballot or to receive such ballots permanently, depending on what forms they submit, the choice is theirs and includes military members who may be away from their county on March 19, as well as U.S. citizens residing temporarily overseas, Patch reported. When applying, voters must provide their name, registration address, the destination for the ballot, and select their party affiliation, vital for the primary election ballot, and don't forget a signature to seal the deal.
The ballot itself, once in the hands of the voter, must be postmarked no later than election day and received within fourteen days following the march to the polls to be counted, according to NBC Chicago. For those who applied online via the Chicago Board of Elections, ballots in a variety of languages were shipped starting in early February, ensuring ample time for consideration and completion.
Decision not made to stick with mail-in voting? Back to square one for in-person voters who will need to cancel their mail-in ballot when showing up at the polling place or if a ballot never arrived, they must declare it through an affidavit before casting their vote and if you got that mail-in ballot but chose not to send it in, be prepared to vote provisionally, those only count once election officials can confirm you didn't vote twice, Patch elucidates. Regardless of method, the crucial thing is to ensure your voice is heard in this democracy's vibrant cacophony, whether it be through the hush of a mailed envelope or the crisp click of a booth curtain closing behind you on that pivotal day, March 19.
