Peoria County election office: Dec. 17 opens vote-by-mail requests; ballots to mail about Feb. 1

Elizabeth Gannon of the County Election Commission told the Ways and Means Committee on Nov. 24 that the local filing period produced no contested local races or electoral board hearings, though several statewide challenges remain pending at the state board of elections. “We had, not a very exciting filing period,” Gannon said.

Gannon advised that Dec. 17 is the first day residents may request a vote-by-mail ballot for the March election. She said permanent vote-by-mail registrants do not need to reapply and will continue to receive ballots automatically unless they move out of the county, cancel registration or opt out. Gannon added that ballots will begin to be mailed about 40 days before the election (around Feb. 1).

Committee members asked whether previously enrolled vote-by-mail voters must renew; Gannon confirmed they do not. The county did not take formal action on elections items during the meeting.