Early Voting Gets Underway Across Lake County

GRAYSLAKE, IL —Early voting is underway in Lake County as local candidates hope to win open seats on local school, village and library boards across the county.

Spring local elections typically see a low voter turnout compared to the highly publicized November elections, but your picks for local leaders can make a big difference in your day-to-day life. Local candidates are tasked with voting on measures that impact development, polices in our towns and schools and much more.

As Election Day nears — it is April 1 — we want to make sure you are prepared when you head to the polls. Read on to find out what you need to know when voting in Libertyville this spring election.

What Do I Need To Know About Local Voting?

Early voting opened on March 7 in the main lobby of the Lake County Courthouse, 18 N County Street, Waukegan. The hours for voting at the courthouse will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 7 through 14.

Early voting will open countywide on Monday, March 17, and will end on March 31, which is the day before the April 1 Election Day. A full list of early voting sites and hours of operation can be found here.

When it comes to voting early, you can use any site regardless of where you live in Lake County.

On Election Day, April 1, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 1. You can vote at your preferred voting site or at any registered voting site, which is new this year under the county clerk's switch to a vote-center model for voting.

You can visit your preferred voting site here.

• Read more: Assigned Polling Places Swapped For 'Vote-Center Model' In Lake County

For those interested in checking wait times at early voting sites, visit here.

How Can I See Who Will Be On My Ballot?

You can enter your name, address and date of birth on this Lake County Clerk's website and take a peak at your sample ballot.

In Grayslake, Grayslake village board trustee Elizabeth Davies and Avon Township Board trustee Jeff Loffredo are looking to take over the mayoral seat, which has been held by Rhett Taylor since 2009. Taylor will not be seeking re-election.

• Grayslake Mayoral Race 2025: Davies vs. Loffredo

All other major municipals races in Grayslake are uncontested. The full list of candidates running for election in Lake County can be found here.

Am I Registered To Vote?

Verify your voter registration status on the Lake County Clerk's Office's Voter Power page. More information on how to register, if you are not registered to vote, can be found here.

Where Do I vote?

On Election Day, April 1, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 1. You can vote at your preferred voting site or at any registered voting site, which is new this year under the county clerk's switch to a vote-center model for voting.

• Read more: Assigned Polling Places Swapped For 'Vote-Center Model' In Lake County

What Do I Need To Know About Voting By Mail

Beginning 90 days before the election, the applications are available to submit online here: LakeVoterPower.info. You can also print a personalized PDF form to mail.

According to the clerk's office, an electronic application will allow for the fastest processing method. You can complete an electronic application by selecting “Electronic Request” after log in and follow the prompts through to “Submit Request.” Your signature is not required, and you must complete an attestation.

If you wish to print and mail a personalized application to the Lake County Clerk’s office, select “Paper Form” after log in. Print, complete, sign, and mail or deliver your application to the Lake County Clerk’s office.

Here are other ways you can obtain a mail-in ballot:

• Downloading and completing this form before mailing it to the Lake County Clerk's office
• Calling the Lake County Clerk's Voting by Mail Department at 847-377-VOTE
• Emailing your name, address, and date of birth to votingbymail@lakecountyil.gov.

Ballots are mailed starting 40 days before Election Day.

The Lake County Clerk’s office must receive your completed ballot application by 5 p.m. on the Thursday before Election Day, your voted ballot must be hand delivered to the Lake County Clerk's office by 7 p.m. on Election Day, or it may be returned via mail with a postmark no later than Election Day and received at the Lake County Clerk's office no later than 14 days after Election Day.

You can track the Lake County Clerk’s receipt of your application and voted ballot at LakeVoterPower.info. You can apply for permanent vote-by-mail status here.

Need More Information?

The Lake County Clerk's Office Vote Power website is a great resource for all things election-related. Check it out here.