Madigan Addresses Voters Confused By Mail-In Ballots

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan clarified Thursday the voting by mail process after recent complaints by confused voters.

Residents are urged to pay close attention to their mail and request a new ballot if it is not received, according to a statement from the Illinois Attorney General's office and the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Third-party organizations are allowed to send voters applications to receive a mail-in ballot, Madigan said. Also, voters who applied for a mail-in ballot but did not receive one or did not submit it are allowed to vote in person during the early voting period or on Election Day.

Mailed applications to request a ballot must be received by Nov. 3 and completed ballots must be postmarked and signed by Nov. 8, according to Madigan. Voters may also turn in their vote-by-mail ballot to county election authorities before 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Residents can track down the status of their ballot through county election authorities, Madigan said.