Vote-by-mail applications coming to Winnebago County residents

From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Registered voters in Winnebago County outside the city of Rockford should receive applications starting this week that allow them the option to vote by mail.

Election authorities are required to send those applications to registered voters under a state law that went into effect last year. There are about 91,500 registered voters in the county outside the city of Rockford boundaries.

“Vote by mail is a safe and secure way for voters to complete their ballots in the privacy of their own homes,” Winnebago County Clerk Lori Gummow said in a news release. “As always, voters can still decide to vote in-person on Election Day. So residents have plenty of options to exercise their right to vote.”

More elections: Voter turnout dips in Rockford and Winnebago County

Voters can decide to vote by mail for a single election or choose to apply for permanent vote-by-mail status and automatically receive a ballot in subsequent elections.

Applications must be completed, signed and returned to the County Clerk’s Election Department before they receive a ballot. Applications can be returned via mail to 404 Elm St. room 101, Rockford, 61101, or by email to elections@clerk.wincoil.gov, or online at clerk.wincoil.gov or in person at the Winnebago County Administration Building, 404 Elm St., Rockford.

The next election includes school board, township and city and municipal offices. The primary is scheduled for Feb. 28 and the consolidated election is April 4.