What Lake County voters need to know to vote early or by mail before April 6

Lake County voters have calendar dates to watch if they are voting early or by mail ahead of the April 6 election. Here’s what they need to know.

Early voting started March 12 ahead of the April 6 consolidated election in Lake County, with voters facing choices that impact their taxes, who represents them in townships, municipalities and school boards as well as what they think about public policy questions including marijuana sales and property tax limits.

Here is what you need to know about early voting and voting by mail in Lake County ahead of the April 6 election.

When can I vote early? 

Early, in-person voting at the Lake County Clerk’s Office began March 12 and continues until March 19 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Lake County Clerk’s Office is at 18 N. County St., Waukegan.

Countywide early, in-person voting begins March 22 and will continue until April 5. Voters need not give a reason for voting ahead of Election Day on April 6. They also are not required to show identification at the polls, although having an ID available with your current address will help if election authorities have a question about an address or if they challenge a voter’s signature.

Lake County early voting locations and hours can be found here.

Can I register to vote when I go to vote early?

Yes. You will need two forms of identification if you are registering for the first time or are changing your address. One of the IDs needs to show your current Lake County address.

How do I get a vote-by-mail ballot? 

Registered Lake County voters can request a mail-in ballot through Lake County Voter Services.

To apply, residents will need an email address or phone number and the address where they would like the ballot mailed. Voters will also need to provide their birth date.

The deadline to apply for a mail-in ballot online is April 1.

If they don’t have one of the items for online registration, or prefer a printed form, registered voters can also select a ballot application to send by U.S. mail to obtain a mail-in ballot. Voters will be required to print and sign the ballot application before mailing it to the Lake County Clerk’s Office, and it must be received by April 1.

Voters can also call the Lake County Clerk’s Voting by Mail Department at 847-377-2406 or email their address, name and date of birth to votingbymail@lakecountyil.gov to request a mail-in ballot.

To automatically receive a ballot application prior to all future elections, or just specific elections, registered voters can apply for the permanent enrollment program. Enrollment remains in effect until canceled or the voter’s registration becomes inactive.

How does mail-in voting work?

Once a registered voter’s application has been processed, the voter will receive a mail-in ballot with a postage-paid ballot return envelope. Voters can mail the ballot back to the Lake County Clerk’s office.

The ballot must be completed and either returned or postmarked no later than April 6.

Voters can track the receipt of their application and official ballot by the Lake County Clerk by using the “Track My Mail Ballot” option of Lake County Voter Services. The same tool can also help them locate polling sites for early voting and Election Day.

Voters can email the Lake County Clerk at votingbymail@lakecountyil.gov or call 847-377-2314 if they have questions.