Absentee Voting Information
Sorry, we can no longer offer the online form, email requests or phone requests due to the time constraints of mailing the applications, and having them returned prior to the deadline to send out ballots.
Dates for Absentee Voting in person for the February Primary - February 2, 2010
Begins - When Ballots Are Ready
Ends -Monday, February 1, 2010
Absentee voting by mail for the February Primary - February 2, 2010
Begins - When Ballots Are Ready
Ends - Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Last day to receive absentee application by mail, and last day we can mail out ballots.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
General Primary - February 2, 2010
Absentee Voter Laws and Information (.pdf)
Map to our office
Important Notes
Follow this link to the online absentee ballot request form
State law now allows anyone to vote absentee without excuse, either in person at the Champaign County Clerk’s Office or through the mail. Here are the options for voting absentee in Champaign County.
Two Steps by Phone, Mail or Email
Military and Overseas Absentee Voting
Incapacitated Absentee Voter Program
Temporarily Absent Student Voter Program
For the first time this year, Champaign County is offering voters a chance to get an application and ballot in a single secure and easy step on our website.
1. Go to the Order an Absentee Ballot On Line page on our website.
2. Type in your personal information that ensures us that we are mailing a ballot and application to you and not someone else.
3. When your name appears, select a single party by clicking on the box next to the party you wish to vote for.
4. Make sure you give us the correct address that you would like your ballot sent to.
5. We will mail your application and ballot within a single business day to the address you provide.
6. Carefully read the instructions that come with your ballot. Failure to comply with all the statutory requirements of casting your ballot may result in it being rejected.
7. Insert only the voted ballot into the certification envelope, seal and sign the certification envelope and the application and mail both of them back to the Champaign County Clerk in the envelope provided. It must be postmarked by the day before the election. Election judges of both parties will confirm the signature on your application with the signature on your voter registration record, much like what is done on election day.
For the first time this year, Champaign County is offering voters a chance to get an application and ballot in a single secure and easy step when they call our office for a ballot.
1. Call our office at 217-384-3724
2. Tell our staff that you would like to receive an absentee application and ballot.
3. One of our staff members will ask you to confirm your birthdate and either your Driver’s License number or the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
4. Tell the staff member where you would like your ballot mailed.
5. We will mail your application and ballot within a single business day to the address you provide.
6. Carefully read the instructions that come with your ballot. Failure to comply with all the statutory requirements of casting your ballot may result in it being rejected.
7. Insert only the voted ballot into the certification envelope, seal and sign the certification envelope and the application and mail both of them back to the Champaign County Clerk in the envelope provided. It must be postmarked by the day before the election. Election judges of both parties will confirm the signature on your application with the signature on your voter registration record, much like what is done on election day.
Two Steps by Phone, Mail or Email
Voters who don’t wish to provide their personal information to our website or over the phone and those voters for whom we have incomplete information, can still receive an application for an absentee ballot. This requires an additional step for voters.
1. Call our office at 217-384-3724, or email us at absentee@champaigncountyclerk.com, or fax us at 217-384-1241 and ask for an absentee ballot application.
2. Tell us what address you would like your absentee application to be sent to.
3. We will mail your application within a single business day to the address you provide.
4. Carefully read the instructions that come with your application. Failure to comply with all the statutory requirements of completing your application may result in it being rejected. For Primary elections you must circle the party that you want to vote.
5. Mail the application back to the Champaign County Clerk. We must receive it by the Thursday prior to Election Day in order to send you a ballot.
6. Within a business day of receiving your application, the County Clerk’s Office will mail your ballot to you.
7. Once again, carefully read the instructions that come with your ballot. Failure to comply with all the statutory requirements of casting your ballot may result in it being rejected.
8. Insert the voted ballot into the certification envelope and seal and sign the certification envelope. Mail the ballot back to the Champaign County Clerk in the envelope provided. It must be postmarked by the day before the election. Election judges of both parties will confirm the signature on your application with the signature on your voter registration record, much like what is done on election day.
Voting Absentee At The County Clerk's Office
You may stop by our office located at 1776 E. Washington in Urbana between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. We are open Monday through Friday except for County Holidays. The easiest location to park is in the northeast parking lot that is accessible from Lierman Avenue. During the absentee voting period, there is parking set aside for absentee voters.
An absentee applicant's identity must be verified by presentation of an IL driver's license, IL ID card, or another government issued ID containing the applicant's photograph. If the person is a first time voter required to show ID, the acceptable forms of ID include: a current and valid photo ID, a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, a student ID along with a lease or other government document that shows name and address. A voter registration card is not acceptable identification.
Military and Overseas Absentee Voting
If you are in the military or overseas the best way for you to request an absentee ballot is to send us an FPCA form. The FPCA form serves as a request for absentee ballot. If you are in the military you can ask your commanding officer for the form. If you are overseas you may request a FPCA form from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are unable to obtain the FPCA form please notify our office as soon as you can so we can mail you an application for absentee voting.
You can also print out a FPCA form from the following link: Online FPCA form
Permanently Incapacitated Voter Program
This program is for those people who are permanently incapacitated.
To be placed on this program you need to fill in the form available here on line or by contacting the County Clerk's Office. There is a section that has to be filled out by (or for) the incapacitated voter and a section that must be completed by their doctor.
This program will then allow the County Clerk's Office to automatically send the person an application and absentee ballot before every election (that they qualify to vote in) for a five year period. After this the form must be renewed. If you move or wish to change party affiliation you must notify our office.
Temporarily Absent Student Voter Program
If you are registered to vote and a student attending an institution of higher learning then you can enroll in the temporarily absent student voter program.
You can download the Temporarily Absent Student Notice form, fill it out, and mail it to our office OR you can come into the County Clerk's Office and pick up a Temporarily Absent Student Notice.
Once the form is filled out then you will receive an application and absentee ballot before each election for a two year period.
Students are responsible for notifying the County Clerk's Office of any changes in their college mailing address or in their party affiliation.
If you have questions regarding any of these programs or about absentee ballots, please contact us by any of the methods listed above in the Requesting an Absentee Ballot by Mail Section.
Many first time voters who have registered to vote by mail must vote in person, either in person absentee voting (at the County Clerk's Office), as a hospitalized or nursing home voter, or at the precinct polling place.
The first day to receive an application for absentee ballot through the mail or to vote in person at the County Clerk's Office is approximately 40 days prior to the election. If you are not sure if absentee voting is taking place please call our office at (217) 384-3724.
The last day that absentee ballots may be mailed out is 5 days prior to the election. This is also the last day that we may receive an application by mail from anyone who has requested an absentee ballot.
