Early Voting, Drop Boxes and More!
This is the most important election of our lives. You can help elect more Democrats in Lake County and transform national politics. Here's what you need to know.
Three Ways to Cast Your Mail-In Ballot
Vote-by-mail ballots are being sent throughout Lake County. Once you double-check that you've filled it out correctly and signed it, you have three options:
1. Drop off your completed and signed ballot at one of the official ballot drop boxes around the county. Don't wait until the last minute. These drop boxes are at the many early voting sites around the county. You can track your ballot online or call 847-377-2406.
2. If you decide you'd rather vote in person, go to one of the early voting sites and hand the poll worker your mail-in ballot. Tell the person you have decided to vote in person.
3. You may also hand-deliver or mail your ballot to the Lake County Clerk's office. Because of mail service delays, we recommend you drop off your ballot at an official drop box instead, however. This is the address for the Lake County Clerk: Lake County Clerk, 18 N. County St., Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085.
Another Option? Vote Early
Early voting is underway at these sites throughout Lake County. Here are the locations
and the hours. Early voting ends Nov. 2 the Monday before the election at most locations.
You may vote at any early voting location--you do not need to choose the one closest to your home.
Did you change your mind about mail-in voting and decide to vote early? That's OK, but you must bring your mail-in ballot with you hand it over to the poll worker. Tell the poll worker you have decided to vote in person.
Early voting sites as well as Election Day polling places comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are handicapped-accessible.
Vote on Election Day
Plan ahead and arrive early to your polling place if you can. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Register and Vote on Election Day
Not registered? You can register to vote on November 3--the final election day. You must meet all voter registration requirements, provide two forms of valid identification, and vote at the time of your registration. Read here for details.
EN ESPANOL: Vote por correo este noviembre del 2020.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There's a lot of incorrect information out there about voting. Voting laws vary by state, so your friend in Wisconsin will follow different rules than we do in Illinois. Check out these questions and answers based on Illinois election law.
I'm not sure if I'm registered. Where can I find out?
You can register up to Nov. 3, the final day of voting, but check right now. Confirm your registered status here.
What if I get a vote-by-mail ballot and then decide I want to vote in person?
No problem! Just bring your vote-by-mail ballot and envelope to your polling place. Return them to an election judge, and request a regular ballot to vote then and there. Easy! Applicants must meet all voter registration requirements, provide two forms of valid identification, and vote at the time of their registration.
When do I have to return my mail-in ballot?
Your best bet is to drop your ballot now in one of the many official ballot drop boxes around the county. If you choose to mail in your ballot, mail it right away to be sure you don't lose it or forget later. Your ballot must be hand-delivered to the Lake County Clerk's office by 7 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3), or mailed with a postmark no later than Election Day and received at the Lake County Clerk's office no later than 14 days after Election Day. Send your stamped, mail-in ballot to: Lake County Clerk, 18 N. County St., Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085.
What if I wait until late October to ask for a mail-in ballot?
If you want your vote to count, don't delay! More people than ever are expected to vote by mail this year, so the Postal Service will be very busy. While the legal deadline to request a ballot request to be received in the Lake County Clerk's Office is October 29, don't push it. Drop off your ballot in one of the official ballot drop boxes around the county ASAP!
What if I get two ballots in the mail?
The County Clerk's Office tracks ballots as they come in. The office will match the signature on your ballot and only allow one vote to be cast per person. You can throw away the extra ballot.
For more information, visit the Lake County Clerk's voting website.