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.

  • You can register to vote (or change your address) online. Online voter registration closes 16 days before the election.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Illinois offers voter registration at all early voting locations in the lead-up to an election. Find early voting locations near you.

  • In Illinois, you can register on Election Day at your polling place. Find your Election Day polling place.

  • 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?

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Verify your voting location. The location of your polling place may have changed. Polling place hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.