During a February 17 press conference, the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County announced new guidance recommending that mail-in ballots be mailed by March 10 or dropped off in person at official drop-off locations.

LWV says that according to Illinois election law, mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and must arrive at the election authority no later than two weeks following Election Day.

Patti Lackman, LWV of Central Kane County Co-President and Voter Services Chair, explained that the new March 10 cut-off guidance is intended to protect voters from being disenfranchised due to delays in mail delivery.

“Vote-by-mail has always been intended to expand voter access by making voting easier and more convenient,” Lackman said. “The last thing we want is for ballots to be disqualified because of mail delays that are entirely outside the voters’ control.”

According to LWV, the US Postal Service has undergone a significant transformation since 2021, when former Postmaster General Louis Dejoy announced a USPS 10-year plan that has led to slower and less predictable mail delivery service for residential customers, particularly in Illinois.

“The USPS transformation is not over – the system is still in the process of change. In the meantime, we want to err on the side of clear communications and good planning,” Lackman said. “We’re urging voters to mail their ballots by March 10, which is a week before Election Day, or use one of the drop-off locations provided in Kane County to make sure their ballots arrive in plenty of time. Every vote should be counted.”  

Voters who prefer to drop off their mail-in ballots in person do not need to wait until March 10 to do so. Drop off locations in Kane County are already receiving completed ballots.

Get more information about Drop Box locations and times.

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