Election officials expect a surge in mail-in ballots

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) – There are only 11 days until Election Day and voters are heading to the polls.

NewsChannel20 spoke with Matt Dietrich, public information officer for the Illinois Election Board, to get the latest voting information.

Dietrich said the 2024 election will have to pay attention to whether absentee voting will be the more popular early voting option compared to early in-person voting. Half a million votes have already been cast in both directions.

Dietrich said early in-person voting typically accounts for a higher percentage than absentee voting at this point. But from 2016 to 2020, the number of mail-in ballots doubled. Dietrich assumes that the number will continue to rise.

Dietrich said voters can still register for early voting at locations the last two weekends leading up to Election Day.

“We like to say that registration doesn’t end until the polls close. So you can register throughout election day until 7 p.m. If you want to vote by postal vote, you can still apply for a postal vote in your local election. “Now time is running out,” said Dietrich.

Dietrich said if voters are confused, there are resources available to them. Dietrich said voters can still register to vote by mail by requesting a ballot within the next six days.

Dietrich reminds voters to bring valid ID and proof of address when voting.

If you haven't voted yet, you can find all voting information directly on government websites or you can call your local county clerk of elections board.