Vote by Mail
Voting by mail is a convenient way to cast your ballot if you are unable to get to your polling place on Election Day or to cast your ballot in-person during Early Voting at a designated Early Voting site.
Any registered suburban Cook County voter may apply for a mail ballot. It is no longer necessary to provide a reason.
Please note: The information on this site pertains to suburban Cook County voters only. If you live in the City of Chicago, visit www.chicagoelections.com or call (312) 269-7900.
If you have already requested or mailed a ballot, you can track your status here.
Registered voters can cast ballots by mail or in person before Election Day.
How to vote by mail
To obtain an application to vote by mail, registered suburban Cook County voters can:
- Download and print the application (applications are also available in Spanish, Hindi and Chinese), or
- Call the Clerk's office at (312) 603-0946 to request that we mail you an application, or
- Pick one up at any of the Clerk's six office locations.
The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is five days before the election.
NOTE: Applications must be submitted by mail, certified courier or in person. Applications cannot be accepted by email or fax.
If the election is a primary election, you must indicate your party preference (Democratic or Republican) on your application. If you wish to vote for candidates running to represent their party in the next general election, you must request a Democratic or Republican ballot.
Once we receive your application and verify your registration, we will send you a paper ballot at the address you designate on your application. After making your selections and completing the certification form on the back of the envelope and signing it, mail or deliver your ballot back to us. Please note: if the certification form (on the back of the return envelope) is not signed, your ballot will not be counted.
Mailed ballots must be postmarked by the day before Election Day and received in the County Clerk's office within 14 days after the election in order to be counted. Mailed ballots are processed and counted at our central office.
More information about Voting by Mail:
Early Voting
Early Voting is another way to vote before Election Day. It must be done in person at a designated Early Voting site during the designated Early Voting period.
In-person voting before Election Day
Any voter needing or wishing to vote in the final four days prior to the election may vote in person. Voting is done at any of the Clerk's six office locations.