DuPage County Vote By Mail (VBM) Checklist
❑ Submit VBM application online at dupageco.org/election -OR- Mail in your VBM application so that the
Election Division receives it by 4:30 p.m. on March 30.
❑ Check your mailbox for your ballot. The Election Division begins mailing VBM ballots on Thursday,
February 23 (4+ days to receive your ballot).
❑ Complete your ballot as soon as possible, place in the postage-paid envelope, seal it, and sign the
envelope with the signature you use to vote.
❑ Return your ballot:
• Mail ballot (must be postmarked by April 4) -OR-
• Place ballot in DuPage County drop box (421 N. County Farm Rd, Wheaton) by November 3 -OR-
• Take ballot to any Early Voting or Election Day Site
Voting Your Vote By Mail Ballot
Follow the Election Division instructions enclosed with your ballot (as shown below)
#1 Do’s & Don’ts of Marking Your Ballot
o Mark your ballot by filling in completely the rectangle
box by your desired candidate using a black pen.
o DO NOT USE PENCIL or COLORED INKS.
o Avoid stray marks.
o Neatness counts!
Mistakes
If you make a mistake, it is ok,
but you MUST correct it so
that your desired choice is
clearly understood by VBM
judges.
#2 Do’s & Don’ts of Marking Your Ballot
Write-in Candidates
o ONLY use this line if your candidate of
choice is not listed on the ballot.
o Fill in the box and write in the name of
your candidate.
Note: If your candidate’s name is listed on
the ballot, just fill in the box by their
name. DO NOT also write in their name on
the “write-in” line and DO NOT fill in the
write-in box. If you do, this will result in an
“over vote,” and your vote for this office will
NOT count!
Review Ballot
o Complete both sides of the ballot.
o Have you made any errors?
o If errors, have you indicated your correct choice?
o Over votes = no vote: correct those errors!
Multiple Candidates per Office
o Read carefully to understand the
maximum number candidates that can
be chosen.
o If you vote for more than the maximum
allowed, this will result in an “over
vote” and your votes for that office will
NOT count!
# 3 Returning Your Vote By Mail Ballot:
Complete the Envelope
o SIGN and DATE the envelope;
this signature MUST match your
signature on file with the
DuPage County Clerk’s office.
o If they do not match, you will be
contacted by the Clerk’s office
for an opportunity to come in to
verify your signature.
o If you do not respond, your
ballot will be voided, and your
vote will not count.
You need to complete the
affidavit of delivery only if your
ballot is being hand delivered to
the DuPage County Election
Division Office before election
day or to a polling location.
# 4 Returning Your Vote By Mail Ballot: When to
complete the affidavit (envelope flap)
#5 If Mailing Your Vote By Mail Ballot
April 4, 2023
USPS Postmark is
IMPORTANT!!!!
o Remember – your mailed
ballot must be postmarked
by April 4, 2023, and
received by April 18, 2023.
o If your ballot is delivered to
the Clerk’s office AFTER
Election Day, the envelope
MUST have a postmark
indicating a date prior to or
no later than Election Day
to be valid.
