How to claim your vote in Illinois

How to claim your vote in Illinois

Registered Illinois voters can apply through March 12, 2026, to receive a vote-by-mail ballot for the March 17, 2026, general primary election. Voters also may join the permanent vote-by-mail program, which is convenient, promotes well-informed voting and helps ensure no one else votes in their name.

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

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

  1. Election security: Claiming your vote prevents anyone else from voting in your name. Once registered, your ballot will be mailed directly to your designated address. All ballots received by the county clerk are reviewed by a bipartisan panel that verifies your signature and information against what is on file.
  2. Convenience: Requesting a vote-by-mail ballot does not take away your right to vote in person. If you change your mind, you may surrender your ballot and vote in person during early voting or on Election Day.
  3. Certainty: Permanent vote-by-mail status ensures your vote is counted even if you become sick or are unable to vote in person because of unforeseen circumstances. You will automatically receive a ballot before every election, so you do not miss the opportunity to vote.
  4. Vote smart: Voting by mail allows you to research candidates, judges and ballot questions from home before casting your ballot.

If you have questions, see our myths and facts guide to voting by mail in Illinois. Illinois Policy Institute recommends completing a vote-by-mail application and opting into the permanent vote-by-mail program to receive a ballot before each election.

To find a vote-by-mail application on your county clerk’s website — including online applications and printable forms — click this link and select your local election authority.

You also can access your county clerk’s vote-by-mail application directly below if your county offers online applications: