Vote by Mail - April 6, 2021 Municipal Election
Note: Quoted text on this page is taken from the County Clerk's website. The County Clerk is the official authority for this election. If you have any questions about your ballot, contact the Clerk’s office at elections@co.champaign.il.us or 217-384-3724.
What Is Vote by Mail?
This form of voting allows you to request and receive a ballot that you can fill out in the comfort of your own home. In Illinois, you do not need a reason to vote by mail; it's available to all registered voters. Many voters are choosing vote by mail due to Covid-19, particularly voters in high-risk categories. Please note that vote by mail used to be called absentee voting but that term is no longer used in Illinois.
Special Note for Urbana and City of Champaign Voters
According to Illinois law, a voter must request a mail ballot for each election. If you want to vote by mail for the February 23 primary AND for the April 6 municipal election, you need to request a mail ballot for each election. To make it easy, you can request a mail ballot for each election, or for only one, at My Voting Information on the County Clerk’s website.
According to Illinois law, a voter must request a mail ballot for each election. If you want to vote by mail for the February 23 primary AND for the April 6 municipal election, you need to request a mail ballot for each election. To make it easy, you can request a mail ballot for each election, or for only one, at My Voting Information on the County Clerk’s website.
How to Vote by Mail?
1. Request Your Ballot Online or By Paper
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- Use a paper mail ballot request form. If you prefer to fill out a paper request form, you can do so. How do you get such a form? You may already have received one (or more) through the mail. They may have come from the County Clerk or from a third party. If you received more than one, fill out one of them, preferably the one from the County Clerk, and throw out the rest. If more than one request accidentally gets to the County Clerk's office, staff will detect and make sure only one request is honored. If you don't have a paper application form, you can call the County Clerk’s office at 217-384-3724 and request a paper application be mailed to you. You can also download one from the Register to Vote page on the Clerk's website.
Be aware of the time frame for requesting your vote by mail ballot. Online is the fastest! Paper takes more time. The last day to request a mail ballot online is February 18, and February 22 is the lawful deadline to request a paper ballot in person. However, the County Clerk strongly encourages everyone to request their ballots as early as possible. Don't wait!
2. Receive Your Ballot
The County Clerk’s office will mail out ballots starting January 14. The sooner you request your ballot, the sooner you can receive it.
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3. Fill Out Your Ballot
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- Can I get help from a friend or family member in completing my vote-by-mail ballot? "Yes, you can. Just complete the 'Did You Get Help?' section on the return envelope."
4. Return Your Ballot
There are two ways to return your ballot.
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Vote by Mail Security
Delivery
Ballots are returned to the County Clerk’s office. The barcode on the envelope is then scanned, which allows you to track your ballot’s progress at the Champaign County Clerk’s website. You will be able to see when the County Clerk receives your ballot request, when your ballot is put into the mail to you, and when the County Clerk receives your completed ballot.
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Evaluation
Tabulating
Questions About Security
- Is vote-by-mail safe? "Vote by mail has been around since the Civil War and is a safe and reliable way to vote. Vote by mail used to be called “Absentee” but now any eligible voter can vote by mail/vote at home. States all across the U.S. are almost entirely vote by mail because of the cost savings, security, and ease of voting. There are numerous checks and balances in place throughout the entire vote by mail process to ensure complete transparency, integrity and accuracy . . . Vote by mail uses the same machines for ballot printing, tabulation, voter verification and checking in as in-person voting and all machines are developed and governed by strict federal rules."
- How will I know if my ballot is counted? Ballots are checked in, verified, and then cast into a tabulator used only for mail ballots. This ensures everything is done according to statute and accurately. If you log into My Voter Information, it will tell you when your ballot has been received by the Clerk's office.
- What if my ballot is rejected? "If there is anything that would prevent your ballot from being cast, the Clerk’s office would contact you immediately to rectify the issue and you would have 14 days from election day to resolve the issue."
- What if I requested and received a mail ballot but changed my mind? What if I now want to vote in person? You can do that. Take your mail ballot with you to your polling place, whether you have filled it out or not. Surrender it to the Election Judge, and they will issue you a new ballot. However, we do encourage you to use your mail ballot. It is safer for everyone. If you're not comfortable mailing it back, you can bring your ballot in person to the County Clerk's office.