Illinois Vote by Mail: Problems at the Post Office
Adjustments to United States Postal Service (USPS) transportation operations could affect the upcoming March election by altering when mail-in ballots receive postmarks, a crucial factor for their validity in Illinois. According to a USPS statement, while the postmarking process itself remains unchanged, mail may no longer arrive at processing facilities on the same day it's collected. As a result, the postmark date will reflect when the ballot undergoes automated processing, not necessarily when a voter drops it in a mailbox. Voters requiring a postmark that matches their mailing date can visit a USPS retail location for a free manual postmark.
The transportation changes have prompted county clerks to urge voters to mail their ballots as early as possible for the March election. Kendall County Clerk Debbie Gillette said, “We always recommend mailing it ASAP as the County Clerk has no control over mail delivery.”
Capital News Illinois reported that "Ahead of the March primary election, county clerks are telling voters not to rely on past processes and to mail their ballots as early as possible, no later than one week before Election Day."
A key concern is that postmarking is not required for all mail, and many mail pieces do not receive a postmark for various reasons. According to 10 ILCS 5/19-8 (c),:
“Each vote by mail voter's ballot that is mailed to an election authority absent a postmark or a barcode usable with an intelligent mail barcode tracking system, but that is received by the election authority after the polls close on election day and before the close of the period for counting provisional ballots cast at that election, shall be endorsed by the receiving authority with the day and hour of receipt, opened to inspect the date inserted on the certification, and, if the certification date is election day or earlier and the ballot is otherwise found to be valid under the requirements of this Section, counted at the central ballot counting location of the election authority during the period for counting provisional ballots. Absent a date on the certification, the ballot shall not be counted.”
Kendall County Clerk Debbie Gillette clarified that for ballots lacking a postmark, validity “is determined by the date the voter put on the certification envelope.” This may cause some citizens to question the accuracy of the certification date, since Illinois allows ballots to be received and counted up to 14 days after Election Day.
Photo: Debbie Gillette - Kendall County Clerk and Recorder, January 16, 2026, Facebook, Debbie Gillette - Kendall County Clerk and Recorder
When asked whether the Kendall County Clerk’s office was in direct communication with Kendall County postmasters to ensure local collection boxes are swept for ballots on the evening of Election Day, Gillette stated, “In the past, they have made several deliveries on Election Day.”
Kendall County residents who receive a mail-in ballot but prefer not to use the postal system due to potential delays have alternative options. “Voters may return their voted ballots to the County Clerk’s office drop box at 502 S Main St in Yorkville, or they may bring it to the polling place to have it cancelled to vote in person,” Gillette said. Voters who are uncomfortable with voting by mail can also cancel their vote-by-mail ballot before it is sent. Gillette stated that “the first ballots are scheduled to be mailed on February 5th.”
One way to get involved is to become a poll watcher. In Illinois, poll watchers are allowed to view and challenge this process. Poll watchers are official election observers who help ensure the integrity and fairness of the voting process. They are appointed by candidates, political parties, civic organizations, or organized groups that support or oppose a ballot proposition.
Kendall County Election Information
2026 Election Dates:
General Primary Election: March 17, 2026.
General Election: November 3, 2026.