Early Voting

Early voting refers to a procedure implemented in Illinois for the first time at the 2006 General Primary Election which allows for registered voters to vote in advance of Election Day without having to provide a reason or an excuse. Registered voters can vote early during the 22nd day through the 5th day prior to the election only at specific locations determined by the Election Authority. Early voters are required to present a valid Illinois Driver’s License, an Illinois identification card issued by the Secretary of State, or any other government-issued identification document containing their photograph, name and address. Please note that once a voter casts an early ballot, the vote cast is final and may not be revoked and the voter is not eligible to cast a vote on Election Day.

Early voting for the March 20, 2012 General Primary Electionwill be offered in person in the Sangamon County Election Office, located in Room 105 of the County Building beginning Monday, February 27 - Thursday, March 15, 2012 . The hours for early voting will be :

Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday,  March 3rd and Sunday, March 4th; 8:30 a.m. - Noon
Saturday, March 10th and Sunday, March 11th; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Top of Page

Absentee Voting

Many registered voters in Illinois, for various reasons, are unable to vote in person at the polling place on Election Day.Absentee voting is available prior to each election. This voting method allows registered voters to cast their ballots without having to go to the polling place. The absentee ballots are then tabulated election night.

Interested persons must apply for an absentee ballot prior to the election by completing an application for absent voter's ballot. See When/How to Request an Absentee Ballot for more information. Absentee voting may be done by mail or you may vote absentee in person at the County Election Office.

Unless you are a voter who has been admitted to a hospital, nursing home or rehabilitation center within 5 days of the election, or a resident of a soldier or sailors home, only you or your spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister or representative of a company engaged in the business of making deliveries to the election authority may take your ballot and ballot card envelope for deposit into the mail.

Absentee Voters Who Require Assistance
If you are physically unable to mark the ballot or unable to read or write the English language, a relative or friend may be assist you in voting. Federal and State laws prohibit your employer, your employer's agent or an officer or agent of your union from assisting physically disabled voters. State law prohibits a candidate whose name appears on the ballot (unless the physically disabled voter is the spouse, parent, child, brother or sister of the candidate) from assisting a physically disabled voter.

The person assisting MUST mark the ballot as directed by the voter. Individuals who make any attempt to influence the voter's choice of candidates, party or votes in relation to a public question, or the mark the ballot other than as directed by the voter may be guilty of a Class 4 felony. If the person assisting cannot tell the voter's intent, they must not mark the ballot in anyway or subsequently divulge the candidate(s) or public questions for whom the voter chose to cast a vote for or against.

If the voter receives assistance in voting his absentee ballot, the name and address of the person giving assistance must be placed on the ballot certification envelope.

Top of Page

How/When to Request an Absentee Ballot

How to Apply
The first step in securing an absentee ballot is to request an application for absent voter's ballot from the Sangamon County Election Office. This application may be obtained in person at our office, located in Room 105 of the County Building, 200 S. 9th Street, Springfield, by calling our office at (217) 753-VOTE (8683) or by printing out the application for absent voter's ballot filling it out, signing and then mailing back to the Sangamon County Election Office, 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 105, Springfield, IL 62701.

When to Apply
PLEASE NOTE: Applications for absentee ballots can only be made during a specific time period prior to each election. For an absentee ballot by mail, applications can be submitted not more than 40 days nor less than 5 days prior to the election. For an in person absentee ballot, applications can be submitted not more than 40 days nor less than 1 day prior to the election.

The deadlines for applying for an absentee ballot for the upcoming March 20 , 2012 General Primary Election are listed below.

Absentee Ballots by Mail - General Primary Election - March 20, 2012
First day to apply - Thursday, February 9, 2012
Last day to apply - Thursday, March 15, 2012

In Person Absentee Ballot - General Primary Election - March 20, 2012
First day to apply - Thursday, February 9, 2012
Last day to apply - Monday, March 19, 2012

Military and Overseas Voters
Illinois citizens, who live overseas or are serving in the U.S. armed forces and will not be in their home county on Election Day, may register and vote by using the method outlined below.

Federal Voting Assistance Program
The Federal Postcard Application is a form provided by the Department of Defense to permit members of the U.S. armed forces, their dependents and U.S. citizens abroad to vote by absentee ballot and if necessary, to register to vote. This Postcard Application must be submitted by mail to the Sangamon County Election Office. Alternatively, those voting absentee because they are in the armed forces may submit their application by fax to (217) 753-6739. Please note only those in the armed forces may apply by fax, all other applicants must apply by mail.

For more information or to download the Federal Postcard Application, please visit www.fvap.gov. This site also provides state-by-state instructions which provides more detail on the procedures and applicable deadlines for submitting the Federal Postcard Application.

Top of Page

Voting Absentee by Mail

Registered voters within Sangamon County who wish to cast their absentee ballot by mail must first complete and return an application for absent voter's ballot within the appropriate time period prior to the election. Absentee ballots by mail may be applied for not more than 40 days nor less than 5 days prior to the election. Mail the completed application to the Sangamon County Election Office, 200 S. Ninth Street, Room 105, Springfield, IL 62701. Once our office is in receipt of your application, an absentee ballot will be mailed to you within 48 hours.

PLEASE NOTE: Not all registered voters are allowed to vote absentee by mail. Voters who registered to vote by submitting a mail-in voter application and have not provided sufficient proof of identity MUST vote in person, either at the polling place or absentee in our office, at the first election in which he or she participates.

Absentee Ballots by Mail - General Primary Election - March 20, 2012
First day to apply - Thursday, February 9, 2012
Last day to apply - Thursday, March 15, 2012

You should have received the following materials:

• Paper Ballot: for casting your vote. Please verify you have received the correct ballot before voting.
• Privacy Sleeve for Absent Voter's Ballot: to place your voted ballot within after voting.  IMPORTANT - DO NOT FOLD YOUR BALLOT
• Certification Envelope (yellow): BE SURE to complete all applicable information requested on this envelope, sign where indicated, and place your Privacy Sleeve containing your voted ballot within.
• Ballot Return Mailing Envelope (white):  BE SURE to place your sealed and completed certification envelope (containing your voted ballot within the privacy sleeve) inside this envelope and mail immediately.  AFFIX POSTAGE PRIOR TO MAILING -POSTAGE REQUIRED IS $1.22.
• Notice to Absentee Voter/Absentee Ballot Authorization Form: contains important absentee voting information. Note:  The Absentee Ballot Authorization form should be completed ONLY if someone authorized is returning your ballot in person to the Election Office.  This form should NOT be sealed with the ballot, but returned in hand. Please note that identification may be requested of the person making the delivery.

How to Cast Your Vote:

• READ the ballot carefully, noting the offices, the candidates’ names, the number to be elected and any propositions. Take note of the precinct information printed in the top right corner of the ballot and verify you have received the correct ballot for the precinct in which you reside. (This information can be found on your voter I.D. card or click here to Locate your Precinct )
• MARK the BALLOT in this manner:
  1. Select the candidate(s) of your choice.
  2. On the left opposite the name of each candidate is an oval.
  3. Using a BLACK INK PEN, completely darken the oval corresponding to the candidate(s) of your choice and the propositions (if any) of your choice.
  4. Any mark placed upon a ballot anywhere (including the designated voting area), which serves to identify and therefore distinguish it from other ballots, shall not be counted. A letter of the alphabet, an “X”, a check mark or other symbol are examples of an identifying mark. (In other words – ONLY darken the oval – DO NOT make any other marks on the ballot)
  5. You cannot erase or cross out a selection you have made. If you spoil (make a mistake), return it to the Election Office and request a new ballot.
• WRITE-IN CANDIDATES may be voted for by using the space provided as follows:
  1. Locate the blank line(s) below the last printed candidate name for each office.
  2. Write or print the name(s) legibly of your write-in candidate(s) on the blank line.
  3. Completely darken the oval corresponding to the left of the name(s) you have written in. Write-in votes will be counted only for candidates who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate.
• After You Finish Voting:
  1. Place ONLY your voted ballot (do not include any other items such as the instruction sheet) within the PRIVACY SLEEVE FOR ABSENTEE VOTER'S BALLOT. Important - Do not fold your ballot.
  2. Complete all applicable information and sign the CERTIFICATION ENVELOPE before inserting the ballot, which has been enclosed in the privacy sleeve and seal within the BALLOT RETURN MAILING ENVELOPE.
  3. Affix Postage amounting to a $1.22 to the BALLOT RETURN MAILING ENVELOPE and be sure to complete return address information.
  4. Mail voted ballot (within privacy sleeve) immediately in the BALLOT RETURN MAILING ENVELOPE. It has been pre-addressed to the Election Office

  If you spoil your ballot in any manner, you may return the entire ballot to the Election Office and request a new ballot.

• Returning Your Ballot to the Election Office:
  • The ballot may be returned to our office by mail, personal delivery, or delivered by one of the following methods: spouse, parent, child, brother or sister of the voter or by a company which is engaged in the business of making deliveries.
  • If you are returning the ballot by mail, be sure to affix postage ($1.22).
• If the ballot is not delivered or mailed by the voter, both the voter and person making delivery must complete an authorization form and carry it in hand to the election office along with the sealed ballot. Be sure that this form is not sealed in the certification envelope with your ballot. This authorization form will be included with the absentee materials that are mailed to you.
  
  *NOTE: If you are returning a realative's ballot, please bring a photo identification in addition to the completed authorization form.

PLEASE NOTE: TO BE COUNTED, YOUR BALLOT MUST POSTMARKED BY MIDNIGHT THE DAY PRIOR TO THE ELECTION AND RECEIVED WITHIN 14 DAYS FOLLOWING ELECTION DAY.

Top of Page

In Person Absentee Voting

General Primary Election - March 20, 2012
First day to apply - Thursday, February 9, 2012
Last day to apply - Monday, March 19, 2012

Registered voter's within Sangamon County who wish to cast their absentee ballot in person, may do so in the Sangamon County Election Office located in Room 105 of the County Building, 200 S. 9th Street, Springfield. Our office hours for absentee voting are:

Monday through Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 11th, February 18th, February 25th, March 3rd and Sunday March 4th; 8:30 a.m. - Noon

Saturday, March 10th and Sunday, March 11th; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 17th; 8:30-noon

In person absentee voting may occur not more than 40 days nor less than 1 day prior to the election.

In order to vote absentee in person, you must first complete the application for absent voter's ballot. This application may be completed in the County Election Office at the same time you will be casting your absentee ballot. After completion of your application, you will be issued the appropriate ballot and will immediately be directed to a voting booth set-up in our office and will cast your ballot in the same manner as if you were at your polling place.

Top of Page