Early Voting and Vote by Mail begins Feb. 20 in Sangamon County

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) —Early Voting and Vote by Mail start on Thursday, February 20, for the Consolidated General Election in Sangamon County on April 1.

"Sangamon County voters are encouraged to plan ahead and vote on your time in advance of the April 1st Consolidated Election starting tomorrow February 20th through March 31st" said Sangamon County Clerk Don Gray.

Early Voting can now be located on the 1t floor of the Sangamon County Building.

Parking is available in the main County Complex parking lot on Adams Street across from the BOS Center.

In-person early voting hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday through March 31st. Additionally, weekend hours will also be available in March for early voting, March 22nd-23rd and March 29th-30th, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.

Vote by Mail ballots will also start on Thursday, February 20, for voters who requested to receive their ballot by mail or are enrolled in the Permanent Vote by Mail program.

To date, Sangamon County has close to 23,000 voters enrolled in the Permanent Vote by Mail Program.

"This is the 2nd Consolidated election in which voters that have enrolled in the Permanent Vote by Mail program will automatically receive their ballot by mail, without having to submit a separate application to do so," said Gray.

Vote by Mail voters may return their ballot through the following ways:

The USPS by no later than being post marked by April 1st
24 hour ballot return drop boxes at the Sangamon County Complex on Monroe St. or the Juvenile Detention Center on Dirksen Parkway
Personal or third party hand delivery to the Election Office (200 S. 9th Street, 1st floor)

A Vote by Mail ballot tracking system has been launched on the County Clerk's website to enhance transparency and accountability for voters in Sangamon County. Registered voters who have requested a mail-in ballot can track the status of their application and ballot by entering a few identifying details.

For more information about Sangamon County's early voting hours, the mailing of vote by mail ballots, or how to submit a mail-in ballot application, please visit the County Clerk's website at countyclerk.sangamonil.gov or contact the Election Office at 217-753-8683.