Lake County Clerk’s Office Is Conducting Voter Roll Audit

LAKE COUNTY, IL — In a continuing effort to maintain accurate voter rolls, the Lake County Clerk's Office has begun to conduct a voter registration audit, and voters in Lake County could soon see a voter audit letter in the mail.

The letters are being sent to every registered voter in Lake County as part of the state’s required voter roll verification process, according to a news release.

"Maintaining accurate voter rolls is essential to protecting both access to the ballot and the integrity of our elections," said Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega. “This audit is part of our ongoing commitment ensure accurate voter rolls and excellence in election administration."

The voter audit helps ensure that Lake County’s voter registration records remain accurate and up to date. Voters who still reside at the address listed on the letter do not need to take any action. However, action may be required if the letter is received for someone who has moved or is deceased.

Since December 2022, the Lake County Clerk’s Office has inactivated 51,867 voter records and cancelled 46,846 records as part of our voter registration maintenance efforts. An additional 49,024 voter records were cancelled due to statutorily-compliant automated or voter-initiated processes, totaling 95,870 cancelled voters during that span, according to the news release.

Here is what you need to know if you receive a voter audit letter:

• If you still live at the address listed: No further action is required
• If the letter is for someone who has moved:
  • If you are able to contact the voter, please have them complete the enclosed form or the Authorization to Cancel form and return it to the Clerk’s Office.
  • If you cannot contact the voter, please write “Return to Sender” on the envelope so the U.S. Postal Service can return it. This will inactivate the voter’s record, which will begin the statutory process of cancelling the record after two federal general elections if not updated.
• If the letter is for someone who is deceased:
  • If you have access to a death certificate, please forward a copy to the Clerk’s Office so the record can be cancelled.
  • If no record is available, mark the envelope “Return to Sender.” The record will be inactivated, and the statutory cancellation process will begin.

Completed forms or supporting documents can be returned by: email at VoterRegistration@lakecountyil.gov, fax at 847-984-5827 or by mail or in person at Lake County Clerk’s Office Voter Services Department 18 N. County St, Room 101, Waukegan, IL 60085.

For more information on voter registration, visit here or by calling the Voter Services Department at (847) 377-2410 or e-mailing voterRegistration@lakecountyil.gov.