Registering and Voting in Illinois

REGISTERING TO VOTE IN ILLINOIS

Be a United States Citizen.
Be a resident of the jurisdiction at least 30 days prior to the election.
Be 18 before the next general election (17 year olds can register and vote in the primary if they will be 18 before the Election Day).

That’s it! You can vote in Illinois regardless of previous criminal history, or if you’re lacking certain identification like a driver’s license.

If you encounter problems with your registration contact the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Illinois offers three different options for registering to vote.

ONLINE REGISTRATION:
- Register online here: https://ova.elections.il.gov/
MAIL IN REGISTRATION:
- Download the form in English here: https://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/PDF/R-19.pdf
- Download the form in Spanish here: https://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/PDF/R-19Spanish.pdf
IN PERSON REGISTRATION:
- The locations available to register can change depending on the proximity to the election when you register to vote. Find out more information below.
- In person registration is available in at least one location of every county the day of the Election.

In Illinois, you can register as late as Election Day. Here are some ways to register:

NORMAL REGISTRATION PERIOD: ends 27 days before the election and begins two days after the election
- Register online here: https://ova.elections.il.gov/
- You can register in person at libraries, schools, and local government offices. A list of locations can be found here: https://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionOperations/PDF/RegisteringToVote.pdf
GRACE PERIOD REGISTRATION: end of the normal registration period until two days before the election
- You can register at your county’s election office, or the Chicago Board of Elections, if you live in Chicago. Research where you can register in your county during this period.
ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION: select locations in your county
- On Election Day each county is required to have at least one location where you can register. Check with your local election authority about what locations offer Election Day Registration.

VOTING OPTIONS

Illinois offers both mail in voting and early voting for those wishing to cast a ballot early.

VOTE BY MAIL: request a ballot up to 90 days before the election until 5 days before
- Any Illinois registered voter can request a mail-in-ballot to vote during an election
- Find out about voting by mail in Illinois at https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingInformation/VotingByMail.aspx
- And https://www.elections.il.gov/downloads/electioninformation/pdf/votebymail.pdf
EARLY VOTING: typically available 40 days before an election until the day before
- Early voting locations and times will vary per county. Look at the Board of Election website for your country, or check with the Chicago Board of Elections, for more information on how to vote early.
- Find out more about early voting in Illinois: https://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/PDF/EarlyVoting.pdf
- Close to elections you may be able to find information on where you can early vote here: https://www.elections.il.gov/votinginformation/earlyvotinglocations.aspx
VOTING ON ELECTION DAY

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHILE VOTING IN ILLINOIS

You need not present a photo ID to vote in Illinois. A poll worker should not ask you for ID except in a narrow range of circumstances. You may need an ID if:
- An Election Judge challenges your right to vote
- You registered to vote by mail and did not provide ID
- If you are also registering to vote or changing your registration address on the day that you vote
On Election Day, you can cast your ballot after the polls close if you are in line at the time listed as closing
You may bring written or printed materials into the voting booth to assist you
If you are wearing campaign clothing, buttons, or stickers, you may be required to remove or cover them. You may not display campaign signs, pamphlets, or other materials
You can request up to two hours off of work to go and vote in Illinois, if your work schedule prevents you from getting to the polls while they are open
If you are denied the right to vote because you are challenged by a judge, your name does not appear on the roles, or you do not have ID (in the few circumstances where ID is required) you are entitled to a provisional ballot. Be sure the poll worker gives you instructions about any steps you need to take in order to ensure that your ballot is counted. Learn more about provisional ballots here: https://www.elections.il.gov/downloads/electioninformation/pdf/provvotingil.pdf