Am I eligible to vote in Illinois?
You must be a U.S. citizen
You must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day (17-year-olds are eligible to register for a Primary Election if they will be 18 by the General Election)
You must live in your precinct for at least 30 days before the election
You must not claim the right to vote elsewhere
You must not be in prison or jail serving time for a conviction — but persons who have completed their sentences and who meet all other requirements listed above are eligible to register and vote in Illinois
How can I register?
Think you’re already registered? Check your registration.
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You can register to vote (or change your address) online. Online voter registration closes 16 days before the election.
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You may register to vote by mailing in an application. Applications can be downloaded from the Illinois State Board of Elections website. When you apply for registration using the mail-in form, it must be postmarked prior to the close of registration. You will need to show valid ID the first time you vote.
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You can register to vote in person at any of the following locations:
County Clerk's Office
Board of Elections Office
City and Village Halls
Township Offices
Driver's License Facilities
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Illinois offers voter registration at all early voting locations in the lead-up to an election. Find early voting locations near you.
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In Illinois, you can register on Election Day at your polling place. Find your Election Day polling place.
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When you visit a Secretary of State Drivers Services facility, you will be asked if you want to register to vote or update your registration. If you say yes, you have “opted-in” to Automatic Voter Registration.
Your completed voter registration application is transmitted from Drivers Services to the Illinois State Board of Elections. You will be provided a receipt of voter registration application. Keep the receipt until you receive your voter registration card from your local election authority.
What ID do I need to register?
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To register ONLINE, you need all four of the following:
Illinois Drivers License or State ID number
Date the license or ID was issued
Last four digits of social security number
Birth date
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To register IN PERSON, you need two forms of identification, one of which must list your current address. The following are acceptable:
Passport or Military ID
Driver's License or State ID card
Vehicle registration card
College/University/School/Work ID
Lease, mortgage or deed to home
Credit or debit card
Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid card
Insurance card
Civic, union or professional membership card
LINK/Public Aid/Department of Human Services card
Illinois FOID card
Mail of the following types addressed to you
Bill, transcript, or school report card
Bank statement, pay stub, or pension statement
Utility, medical, or insurance bill
Official mail from any government agency
When and Where to Vote
Elections are administered locally by Illinois’ 108 election authorities. For the most accurate information on where and when to vote, consult your local election authority.
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All registered voters in Illinois are eligible to vote by mail. Voters may apply for a vote-by-mail ballot by contacting their local election authority (the county clerk or board of election commissioners) or by applying online on the State Board of Elections website.
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If you are unable to vote on Election Day or just want to skip the lines, vote early. Early voting ballots are final. Voter registration services are available at every Early Voting site.
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Verify your voting location. The location of your polling place may have changed. Polling place hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Know Your Rights
Photo ID is not required to vote in Illinois
On Election Day, you can cast your vote as long as you are in line by the time listed for polls closing
You may bring written or printed material into the voting booth
You can vote in person even if you requested a mail in ballot
You can request two hours off work if your work schedule prevents you from getting to the polls while they are open
If your vote is challenged, you are entitled to a provisional ballot
