Voter Information

Important Dates:
2020 General Election: November 3, 2020
Early voting begins on October 19, 2020
Important Links:
Register to vote in McHenry County
Early Vote and Vote by Mail Information
Who can apply to Vote by Mail?
Any qualified voter in the State of Illinois is eligible to Vote by Mail! Due to COVID-19, all 2020 General Election voters are encouraged to cast a ballot by mail. Voting by mail is a secure and easy option for voters and you can request a Vote by Mail Ballot here.
How do I request a Vote by Mail Ballot?
Registering to vote by mail is very easy and only takes a couple of minutes! You can register to vote by mail online here through the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Why did I receive a Vote by Mail Ballot application even though I didn’t request one?
This year, a Vote By Mail Ballot application is required by the State of Illinois to be sent to any voter who voted either in the 2018 General Election, the 2019 Consolidated Election, or the 2020 General Primary Election.
When is my Vote by Mail Ballot due?
To ensure you vote is counted on Election Day, all Vote by Mail Ballots must be received in the mail by your County Clerk’s Office by 5:00 PM CST on October 29.
How do I submit my Vote by Mail Ballot?
Between September 24 and October 5, your Vote by Mail Ballot will arrive from your County Clerk’s Office.
Fill out all required fields and mark your vote selections clearly. Once your ballot is filled out and completed, just place it back in the return envelope that was included with your Vote by Mail Ballot and place it back in the mail as quickly as possible. Some counties will be offering Ballot Drop Boxes at local polling locations so you can securely drop your ballot off by hand. Remember, your Vote by Mail Ballot is due back by October 29 to ensure it is counted on Election Day.
How do I know my ballot was received and my vote was counted?
Each County Clerk’s Office must confirm receipt of the ballot, usually via email or text. In most cases, you can also look up the status of your Vote by Mail Ballot on your local County Clerk’s Office website where you would look up your personal voter information, or through a ballot tracking vendor such as BallotTrax. You may also be contacted by your local County Clerk’s Office to confirm it was you who sent in the ballot.
Each county confirms your ballot was received differently but as long as you return your Vote by Mail Ballot by October 29, your vote will be counted!