Voter Registration, Voting, Elections

Deadlines

• October 20, 2024 is the online registration deadline for the 2024 general election. Voter registration deadlines are determined by the date of the election.
• Registration Guidelines
• Election Calendar (PDF)
• Illinois allows grace period registration and voting at certain sites (PDF)

WHAT IS GRACE PERIOD REGISTRATION?

• Grace period registration is an extension of the regular registration deadline.
• Grace period registration authorizes each election authority to establish procedures for the registration of voters and for change of address during the period from the close of registration for an election through Election Day.
• Although the traditional voter registration period closes 28 days prior to the election, grace period registration extends that deadline from the 27th day prior to an election through Election Day.
• Grace period registration is only available in-person at designated sites.

WHAT IS GRACE PERIOD VOTING IN ILLINOIS?

• If a voter who registers to vote or changes their address during this grace period and wishes to vote at the election occurring during this grace period, they must do so in-person at the same time that they register.
• The election authority may allow grace period voting by mail only if the election authority has no ballots prepared and available when the registration occurs.

WHERE IS GRACE PERIOD VOTING IN ILLINOIS?

1. at the office of the election authority;
2. at a permanent polling place established by the election authority;
3. at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election;
4. at some polling places on Election Day;
5. at a location specifically designated for this purpose by the election authority. Check with your local election authority to determine the location and hours available in your area.

WHAT INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO REGISTER AND VOTE?

1. U.S. citizenship;
2. At least 18 years of age by Election Day, or 17 years of age to vote in a General Primary if the individual will be 18 as of the following General Election;
3. Resident of the precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day; and
4. Two forms of Identification.

                       1. Illinois State Board of Elections, Election Code, 10 ILCS 5/4-50, 5-50, 6-100 (2017).

Online registration

To use the online voter registration system you must have a current and valid driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver photo identification card issued by the State of Illinois.

Online registration form (English)

Mail-in registration

Printable forms (English PDF)

Spanish PDF

Refer to the box below for information about ID requirements.

Choosing a political party when registering is not required in the Illinois.

*In primary elections, voters request either a political party ballot which will include only candidates from that party and public questions or a non-partisan ballot which will only include public questions not any candidates. 

Updating registration      

To update registration after a move or name change use the online voter registration form.

Cancelling registration

To cancel a registration, voters must send a signed letter or a signed form to their own local election authority.

Directory of Election Authorities

Absentee or Mail-in Voting

Who is eligible to use an absentee ballot?

• All voters are eligible to request an absentee ballot in Illinois
• Find out more information about Voting by Mail

Opening and Closing dates:

• Absentee ballots must be requested by mail or online, between 90 and 5 days before a specific election.
• Ballots are mailed out by election authorities no earlier than 40 days before an election. 
• For consolidated elections, the date may be after 25 days before the election.
• Ballots must be postmarked on or before election day. Ballots received after election day during the provisional ballot counting period may be counted during that period.

Military Voters and Voters Residents outside the U.S.:

• The Illinois Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment (MOVE) site will enable you to set up a MOVE account to register to vote and request vote by mail ballots for upcoming Federal Elections.

• This site was designed to help ease the burden of members of the Uniformed Services (and their eligible dependents) and overseas voters in requesting a voter registration and a vote by mail ballot application. This site will give you the ability to keep in contact with your local election official and to track the status of your application and ballot.

• More information and access to the MOVE site

Polling places and hours

• Use the Polling Place Locator or the Illinois locator to find your polling place.
• For a primary or general elections: Polling Places in Illinois are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Check with the Local Election Authority regarding voting hours for municipal elections.
• Time off to vote: Employers in Illinois must give an employee up to two hours' time off in order to vote, unless the polls are open two hours before or after the employee's shift.

Rides to the polls

Many organizations offer free rides to polling places. Some of these include:

• Lyft provides free or discounted rides in some underserved communities
• Political parties sometimes arrange rides for voters.
  • Contact the local office:
    • Democratic Party
    • Republican Party 

Help for voters with disabilities

• Equip for Equality operates the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) program in Illinois.
• Curbside voting is available if you cannot enter your polling place.  You may request a ballot be brought to you at an accessible point within 50 feet of the entrance of the polling place.

Ballots

Sample ballots are only available from your local election authority when there is an upcoming election. Prior to an election cycle the below link brings you to your Election Division website which is determined based on your home county. Outside of an election cycle you can see your current elected officials by clicking on sample ballot.

https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionAuthorities.aspx

ID Requirements for Voting

First-Time Voters

First-time voters who registered by mail and did not submit their driver’s license number, state ID number, last four digits of their social security number, or other form of ID are required to present identification showing their name and address before voting.

All Other Voters

Voters who are registered at their current address and are voting at the correct precinct do not require ID unless:

• Challenged by an election judge(1 form of ID required)
• Voter is registering during grace period or changing address (2 forms of ID required)

Voters who lack required ID may cast a provisional ballot and then must present ID to election authorities within 7 days.

More information on ID requirements

Where to get an ID

Department of Motor Vehicles

• Locations

Obtaining a Driver’s License

• New license 
• Transferring from another state 

Obtaining a non-driver photo ID: 

• Non-driver ID