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Elections News

Oct 16

Online Voter Registration Deadline

Posted on October 16, 2020 at 9:46 AM by Robert Watson

You can still register to vote online through Sunday, October 18 at 11:59pm. At midnight on Monday October 19 online registrations can no longer be accepted. 

Starting Monday, October 19, through Election Day, the only way to register is in person at the Government Center or an early voting site. If you register in person be sure to bring the appropriate IDs with you, and you must vote immediately after you register.
Oct 14

Early Voting

Posted on October 14, 2020 at 10:10 PM by Robert Watson

Thursday, September 24, was the first day of early voting for McLean County residents!

Early voting will run through Monday, November 2.

While there will be numerous early voting locations throughout the early voting period, the only location open at this time is Grossinger Motors Arena in downtown Bloomington, which will be open from 8:30am-4:30pm today and tomorrow.

For a full list of early voting locations, visit the Early Voting Locations page.

*The Bloomington Election Commission shares the Grossinger Motor Arena space, but other locations, dates, and times may vary. For full information on their early voting plans, visit www.becvote.org.
Oct 12

Grace Period Registration

Posted on October 12, 2020 at 8:57 AM by Robert Watson

Illinois law states that voter registrations submitted on paper cannot be accepted by mail after October 6. We’re now in a period called Grace Period Registration. During this period, if a person wants to register to vote using paper, they must do so at a specified location and they must vote immediately after registering.

Grace Period Registration is available at Early Voting sites and on Election Day.
If you submitted a paper registration dated on or before October 6, or you’re correcting an issue with your paper registration, we can still accept it. However, any person wishing to register after October 6 must do so in-person or via the Online Voter Registration Form.

Due to social distancing guidelines, this may result in longer wait lines. We suggest you try to vote early if you can. 
Oct 11

In-Person Voting After Requesting a Vote by Mail Ballot

Posted on October 11, 2020 at 10:13 PM by Robert Watson

If you requested a vote by mail ballot you are not required to cast that ballot by mail.

You have a few options moving forward:

1. You can complete your vote by mail ballot and return it in the mail.
2. You can complete your vote by mail ballot and leave it at one of our drop boxes.
3. You can take your mail in ballot to an early voting center, surrender it, and vote normally.
4. You can provide our office with your name, registered address, and date of birth and a specific statement asking us to cancel your ballot in the system. At that point that ballot is considered voided and cannot be returned. You are then able to go to a polling place (early voting or normal polling place on 11/3) and vote normally.

If you opt for option 4, you can reply to this email, or send an email to votebymail@mcleancountyil.gov
Oct 11

Early Voting Continues 10/12

Posted on October 11, 2020 at 10:08 PM by Robert Watson

Early voting will continue on Monday, October 12, at Grossinger Motors Arena from 8:30am-4:30pm

The full list on early voting locations, dates and times is available on the Early Voting page.
Oct 07

Drop Box Postage

Posted on October 7, 2020 at 10:00 AM by Robert Watson

If you are returning your vote by mail ballot to one of our drop box locations you do not need to place any postage on the envelope. Ballots placed in drop boxes are picked up by election judges daily.

A complete list of McLean County voter drop boxes can be found on our Drop Box Locations page.
Oct 06

Vote by Mail Ballot Envelope Completion

Posted on October 6, 2020 at 7:02 PM by Robert Watson


The ballot envelope does have a number of fields. If you are mailing your ballot or delivering it yourself, and no one helped you complete the ballot, you only have to complete the signature and date fields.

Additional information is available on our website on the Vote by Mail page.


ballot envelope
Sep 29

Vote by Mail Ballot Delivery

Posted on September 29, 2020 at 9:33 PM by Robert Watson

The first day, legally, that ballots could be mailed by election authorities was Thursday, 9/24. All McLean County ballots have been mailed to those who initially submitted requests. If you do not receive your ballot by October 3, please contact our office.

Voters who have recently submitted their vote by mail applications should expect their ballots within 6 days after its submission.

Sep 27

Vote by Mail Reminders

Posted on September 27, 2020 at 9:18 PM by Robert Watson

Based upon state statutes:
* 10 ILCS 5/2B-20,19-1, 19-2, 19-4, 19-5, 19-6, 19-8, 19-13, 29-20; 52 USC 21081(1)(A) and (B)*

Voters,
As vote by mail ballots begin to be delivered, I encourage you to remember the following important points:
  • You may return your vote by mail ballot by mail, in-person, or at one of our drop boxes throughout the county.
  • You may request a new ballot at any time should you need to spoil the original one. In so doing, your original ballot will be nullified
  • You must sign the certification envelope into which the ballot is placed. Failure to do so will lead to your ballot being rejected
  • In signing the ballot envelope you are attesting that you personally marked the ballot in secret
  • If you need assistance with your ballot, a friend or relative may assist you. In such case, that person must complete the affidavit on the exterior of the ballot envelope as well
  • You must seal the ballot envelope. Failure to do so will result in your ballot being rejected.

If you have questions about completing or returning your ballot, please email our office at votebymail@mcleancountyil.gov or by completing the Ask the Election Team a Question form on our website. We will answer voice mails left at 309-888-4350 also, but other options may have faster responses.


Kathy Michael
McLean County Clerk
Sep 24

Election Judge Waitlist

Posted on September 24, 2020 at 2:34 PM by Robert Watson

Thanks to everyone that has expressed interest in helping with the November election!

We've had well over 100 new election judge inquiries and all spots are filled.

At this time we are creating a wait list for those who express interest.We will keep your information on file and reach out should spaces become available in the future.