How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois

Hannah Schmid

Policy Analyst

Hannah Schmid
Good Government
by Hannah Schmid
March 16, 2023

How to protect your vote from fraud in Illinois

Illinois voters can join the growing ranks of registered voters who have applied for permanent vote-by-mail status to ensure they never miss another election and their vote cannot be stolen.

Registered Illinois voters can apply through March 30 to vote by mail in the upcoming April 4 local elections, plus join the permanent vote-by-mail program that is convenient, leads to well-informed votes and keeps someone else from voting in your name.

Illinois Policy strongly recommends voters register for permanent vote-by-mail status by completing this application and returning it to their county clerk in the election jurisdiction where they are registered to vote.

Here are four reasons why claiming your vote through this process is so important:

  1. Election security: By claiming your vote, you block anyone else from voting in your name. Once registered, your ballot will come to your mailing address. All ballots received by the county clerk must be approved by a bipartisan panel that matches your signature and information with those on file. 
  2. Convenience: Requesting a mail-in ballot does not take away your right to vote in-person. Vote-by-mail ballots can be surrendered in-person at early voting and Election Day polling places if you decide to vote in person.
  3. Certainty: Permanent vote-by-mail status assures that your vote is counted if you become sick or are forced to miss Election Day voting for unforeseen circumstances. You will receive a ballot for all future elections, so you never miss a vote.
  4. Vote smart: Nobody likes wasting their vote. Registering to vote by mail means you can study all candidates, judges and ballot questions from the comfort of your home. 

If you still have questions or concerns, take a look at our myths and facts guide to voting by mail in Illinois. Illinois Policy recommends you fill out the application to vote by mail and opt into the permanent vote by mail program to receive a mail-in ballot prior to each upcoming election.

To find a vote-by-mail application from your clerk’s website, including online registration and printable applications, click this link and select your local election authority.

You can also access your county clerk’s mail-in ballot application directly below for those counties offering online registration:

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