The St. Clair County Clerk’s office issued detailed instructions on Feb. 24 for voters using the vote by mail process in Belleville, Illinois.
The information is important for residents who wish to participate in upcoming elections without visiting polling places in person. The instructions cover how to correctly complete and return a mail-in ballot, which helps ensure votes are counted.
Voters receive an official ballot listing candidates and propositions, along with a return envelope that includes a certification section on its reverse side. The clerk’s office instructs voters to carefully read the ballot, select their preferred candidates by filling in the corresponding ovals with a black ballpoint pen, and follow specific steps if casting a write-in vote.
After marking the ballot, voters are directed to place it into the provided return envelope, complete and sign the certification authorization on the back of the envelope, and then mail it back or deliver it in person to the County Clerk at 10 Public Square or use an official drop box located at the front of the courthouse. Ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received within 14 days after that date; otherwise they will not be counted. If there is no signature or date on the certification envelope, those ballots will also not be counted.
If a voter spoils their ballot, they should call 618-825-2979 to confirm its status or surrender it at their polling place on Election Day to receive a new one. More information about elections can be found on St. Clair County’s website at www.stclaircountyil.gov/departments/county-clerk/elections.
The clerk’s office included an “I Voted!” sticker as part of this instructional packet.
