Vote-by-Mail Expansion Passed in Springfield - What It Means for 40th Ward Voters
written by Committeewoman Maggie O’Keefe
Voting - including vote-by mail - is a constitutional right, no matter how hard the Trump administration and the GOP try to fight it. No one should have to choose between protecting their health and exercising their right to vote. For many, the safest way to vote during this election cycle may be to vote by mail.
This is why it’s so important that the Illinois legislature and Governor Pritzker passed new legislation in Springfield that:
expanded vote by mail,
expanded outreach on applying for vote by mail ballots,
expanded locations for dropping off your ballot,
and allowed 16+ individuals to be election judges ahead of the November 2020 election.
What’s in the bill?
Registered Illinois voters who have voted in the last three elections, (the 2018 General, 2019 municipal, and the 2020 Primary) will receive a vote by mail application in the mail. Please note: this is not a ballot, but an application to receive a ballot. Additionally, you may receive an email or a piece of mail with an application for a mail in ballot, so check all your inboxes, both physical and virtual.
Out of the nearly 32,000 registered to vote in the 40th Ward, approx. 19,000 voters that meet the criteria will receive mail-in ballot applications. This means approx. 13,000 people will not receive a mail-in ballot application. The 40th Ward Dems will work to reach every eligible voter in the ward to apply for vote by mail and to educate around the new details around the election.
Who will not receive an vote-by-mail application:
1. If you haven’t voted in the last three elections (2020 Primary, 2019 Municipal, and/or 2018 General); NOTE: Those who have not voted will receive a letter from the Chicago Board of Elections on how they can apply to vote by mail online
2. If you move after July 31, 2020 and do not change your address at the post office, you may not receive an application to vote by mail.
3. If you are a 17 or 18-year-old and did not vote in the 2020 Primary Election.
4. Anyone who newly registers after August 5, 2020 will not receive a vote by mail application
General Information
The Election Board supplies each vote by mail applicant with a postage-paid envelope to return the application and the ballot. You’ll still need to fill out your mail ballot and return it to the Election Board for processing on or before Election Day. For more info on ballot requirements, please click here.
Election Day, November 3, 2020, is now a government holiday. Schools, banks, and government buildings will be closed.
Early Voting hours have been extended to Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
How to get a vote by mail application
If you do not meet the requirements to automatically receive an application to vote by mail, you can always request an application through the Chicago Board of Elections, or you can contact the 40th Ward Dems with any questions!
