HOW CAN YOU REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

Absentee voting is a two-step process.  You must first complete an application for an absentee ballot and return it to the Adams County Clerk’s Office.  To request an application you may:

1)     Obtain an application for an absentee ballot in person.  Stop by our office at 507 Vermont Street Monday thru Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.  to obtain an application for an absentee ballot,

2)     Call our office at (217) 277-2157.

3)     E-mail our office at countyclerk@co.adams.il.us with your request for an application, or

4)     Download an application  and forward your request to our office.

NOTE:  Applications for absentee ballots can only be made during a special time period prior to each election.  For an absentee ballot by mail, applications can be submitted not more than 40 days nor less than five (5) days prior to an election.  In person absentee voting may occur not more than 40 days nor less than one (1) day prior to the election. (At such times when early voting is scheduled, in person voting absentee voting is replaced with early voting.)

After you have completed the first step, filling out and returning the application for an absentee ballot, you may vote absentee.  To vote by absentee you may:

• Vote absentee by mail – An absentee ballot (made within the required time frames) will be mailed to you within 48 hours after the request for an absentee ballot has been received in the County Clerk’s Office.  Along with the ballot card you will receive an instruction sheet, a secrecy envelope, and a return-mailing envelope.  Absentee ballots must be returned to the official issuing the same prior to the closing of the polls on the date of the election or, if returned by mail, postmarked no later than midnight preceding election day, for counting no later than during the period for counting provisional ballots, the last day of which is the 14^th day following election day.

• Vote Absentee in Person -- You may vote absentee in person.  Stop by our office at 507 Vermont Street Monday thru Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., or the Saturday before each election from 9:00 a.m. until noon. 

NOTE:  The application to vote absentee may be completed in the Adams County Clerk’s Office at the same time you will be casting your absentee ballot.  In person absentee voting may occur not more than 40 days nor less than one (1) day prior to the election.  (At such times when early voting is scheduled, in person absentee voting is replaced with early voting.)