Registering and Voting in Illinois

Find out more about upcoming 2020 Election here.

REGISTERING TO VOTE IN ILLINOIS

TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN ILLINOIS YOU NEED TO:

• 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.

For more information on voting in Illinois visit the Illinois State Board of Elections

ARE YOU REGISTERED? CHECK HERE 

Even if you  think you are registered to vote, check to make sure your registration has not been mistakenly removed without your knowledge.

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

Need to change your registered address? Find more information here: https://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionOperations/PDF/RegisteringToVote.pdf

IF YOU ARE NOT CURRENTLY REGISTERED: 

• Find out more about registering to vote here: https://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionOperations/PDF/RegisteringToVote.pdf
• If you don’t have a driver’s license find out the documents you can use to register here: https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/service/when-voters-do-and-dont-need-identification-id

REGISTRATION OPTIONS: 

Illinois offers three different options for registering to vote.

• REGISTER ONLINE:

  • Online registration is available until 16 days before the Election.

  • Register online here: https://ova.elections.il.gov/ 

•  REGISTER BY MAIL:

  • The mail in registration must be recieved 27 days before the Election. 

  • Send your mail in registration to your local election authority: https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionAuthorities.aspx?MID=cQHxtxVEmuo%3d&T=637327390202482616

  • 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.

  • Find out more from your local election authority: https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionAuthorities.aspx?MID=cQHxtxVEmuo%3d&T=637327390202482616

REGISTRATION DEADLINES:

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. A list of locations can be found here: https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/EarlyVotingLocationsSearch.aspx?MID=A3RIOjKplz4%3d&T=637147681698027318

• 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/ElectionOperations/VotingByMail.aspx?MID=ELGeUv9wLSI%3d&T=637147679220323430
  • The application to vote by mail can be found here: https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/VotingByMailMove.aspx
  • Find out how you can returning your ballot: https://www.aclu-il.org/en/vote-mail-2020 
  • Find out more about Voting By Mail in the 2020 Election

• 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/DocDisplay.aspx?Doc=/Downloads/ElectionOperations/PDF/EarlyVoting.pdf&MID=10
  • You can find information on where you can early vote here: https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/EarlyVotingLocationsSearch.aspx?MID=A3RIOjKplz4%3d&T=637378567917209224

• VOTING ON ELECTION DAY

  • Find your poll location for Election Day here: https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx?Name=mmDgPiKx8aN9qemsCi1TOBk6iTw%2fA%2fJFYRiTSnf%2bltwWOcPGp74he9KCwA22BQhcznvZRCqClA%2bWaIykfFe1Zhqkk5u7TrVL&MID=PM%2f79mYAaC0%3d&T=637147683065695547

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 rolls, 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/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/ProvisionalBallotSearch.aspx?MID=%2fck8Er0K12Y%3d&T=637147681323684748

IF YOU, OR ANYONE YOU KNOW, ENCOUNTERS PROBLEMS WHILE VOTING CALL: 1-866-687-8683 (866-OUR-VOTE).

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES:

• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TO VOTE WITH A DISABILITY
• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TO VOTE IF YOU ARE TRANSGENDER
• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TO VOTE IF YOU HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD
• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TO VOTE IF YOU ARE HOMELESS
• KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TO VOTE FOR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS