Overview
- Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon cautioned that USPS workflow adjustments could lead to ballots being postmarked after Election Day if mailed close to the March 17 primary deadline.
- USPS says it did not change postmarking policy, citing transportation changes that may delay when mail reaches processing facilities, and it advises voters to return ballots early or request a manual postmark at a post office.
- Cook County will provide 55 ballot drop boxes with daily collections starting March 2, and officials encourage voters to seek counter postmarks if mailing late to prevent disqualification.
- Early voting opened Feb. 5 in several counties including Lake, Will, McHenry, Kane and Kankakee, with Chicago starting Feb. 12 and suburban Cook County opening March 2.
- Illinois counts mail ballots postmarked by Election Day if received within 14 days, and USPS guidance reported locally recommends mailing by March 10; suburban Cook expects to send about 170,000 ballots after 192,000 were cast by mail in the 2024 primary.