LWV of Central Kane County Announces Recommendation that Mail-In Ballots for the March 17 General Primary be Mailed by March 10th or Dropped Off in Person

BATAVIA, IL – The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County (lwvckcil.com) held a press conference on Tuesday, Feb. 17 in front of the Batavia Post Office on Randall Road in Batavia to announce new guidance recommending that mail-in ballots be mailed by March 10^th or dropped off in person at official drop-off locations.

According to Illinois election law, mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and must arrive at the election authority no later than 2 weeks following Election Day. Patti Lackman, LWV of Central Kane County Co-President and Voter Services Chair, explained that the new March 10^th cut-off guidance is intended to protect voters from being disenfranchised due to delays in mail delivery. “Vote-by-mail has always been intended to expand voter access by making voting easier and more convenient. The last thing we want is for ballots to be disqualified because of mail delays that are entirely outside the voters’ control.”

The US Postal Service has been undergoing a significant transformation since 2021, when former Postmaster General Louis Dejoy announced the USPS 10-year plan, entitled Delivering for America. Lackman stated that the changes implemented by the US Postal Service have led to slower and less predictable mail delivery service for residential customers, particularly in Illinois. Ms. Lackman said, “The USPS transformation is not over – the system is still in the process of change. In the meantime, we want to err on the side of clear communications and good planning. We’re urging voters to mail their ballots by March 10^th, which is a week before Election Day, or use one of the drop-off locations provided in Kane County to make sure their ballots arrive in plenty of time. Every vote should be counted.”  

In addressing the rationale for the March 10^th date, Ms. Lackman pointed out that in 2025, the US Postal Service both lengthened delivery times for most households and lowered on-time performance goals. Lackman further pointed to a recent USPS report that indicated that mail service in Illinois was lagging behind much of the country. “March 10^th is one week before the postmark deadline and 3 weeks before the arrival deadline - providing adequate cushion to get ballots in and counted before the legal deadlines,” Lackman explained.

Voters who prefer to drop off their mail-in ballots in person do not need to wait until March 10^th to do so. Drop off locations in Kane County are already receiving completed ballots. Information about Drop Box locations and times can be found at https://clerk2.kanecountyil.gov/Elections/Documents/Kane%20County%20Official%20Ballot%20Drop%20Box%20locations%20ADA.pdf.


The League of Women Voters of Central Kane County is a nonpartisan, grassroots civic organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership in the League is open to people 16 years and older, of all gender identities. With over 100 years of experience, the League is one of America’s oldest and most trusted civic nonprofit organizations.