(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Voting by mail isn’t new, of course, but Wednesday marked the first day Illinois residents could choose to receive mail-in ballots permanently.
As of today, any Illinois voter can request to vote by mail in all subsequent elections in their county.
Voting by mail can be a convenience for those who have difficulties getting to polling places or simply want more time to decide on their votes. The U.S. military has used mail-in ballots since the Revolutionary War.
From now through Nov. 3, voters can request mail ballots from their local election authorities — County Clerks in many cases. In Chicago, it’s the Board of Election Commissioners.
Permanent vote-by-mail requests can also be made online through the Illinois State Board of Elections.
The Illinois State Board of Elections also allows voters to download applications, which can be mailed into physical locations.
Despite some partisan noise in the last couple of election cycles, election officials from all over the state assure voters mail voting is safe.
If a voter changes their mind and wants to vote in-person, officials said they’ll be able to exchange mail-in ballots at their polling place on Election Day.
You can request mail ballots up to Nov. 3. Tuesday, Nov. 8 is Election Day.
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