Voting in Illinois

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The policies governing voter participation are enacted and enforced primarily at the state level. These policies, which include voter identification requirements, early voting provisions, online voter registration systems, and more, dictate the conditions under which people cast their ballots in their respective states.

This article includes the following information about voting policies in Illinois:

Click here for more information about election administration in the state, including voter list maintenance policies, provisional ballot rules, post-election auditing practices, and additional election policy context.

For information on elections happening this year, click here.

Do you have questions about your elections? Looking for information about your local election official? Click here to use U.S. Vote Foundation’s election official lookup tool.

Voter registration

Eligibility and registration details

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Illinois, a person must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of an Illinois precinct for at least 30 days prior to election day, and at least 18 years old by election day. A 17-year-old may vote in a primary if he or she will be 18 years old at the subsequent general election. Preregistration is available starting at age 16.[1][2]

Regular registration closes during the period beginning 27 days prior to an election and ending two days after the election. Online registration closes 16 days prior to an election. Grace period registration is available in person through election day at certain locations.[1]

Prospective voters can register online, by mail, or at any of the following locations:[3]

“
  • County Clerk's Office
  • Board of Election Commissioner's Office
  • City and Village Offices
  • Township Offices
  • Precinct Committeeman
  • Schools
  • Public Libraries
  • Military Recruitment Offices[4]
 ”

Two forms of identification are required to register in person, one of which must display the voter's current address.[1]

In-person voting

Poll times

See also: State poll opening and closing times

In Illinois, all polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.[5]

Voter identification

See also: Voter identification laws by state

Illinois does not require voters to present identification while voting, in most cases. 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.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of August 2024. Click here for the Illinois State Board of Elections voting information page to ensure you have the most current information.

“
  • A current and valid photo identification
  • Utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Government check
  • Paycheck
  • Lease or contract for residence
  • Student ID & mail addressed to voter’s residence
  • Government document[6][4]
 ”

Early voting

See also: Early voting

Illinois permits early voting. Learn more by visiting this website.

Early voting permits citizens to cast ballots in person at a polling place prior to an election. In states that permit no-excuse early voting, a voter does not have to provide an excuse for being unable to vote on Election Day. States that allow voters to cast no-excuse absentee/mail-in ballots in person are counted as no-excuse early voting states.

As of February 2024, 47 states and the District of Columbia permitted no-excuse early voting.


Absentee/mail-in voting

See also: Absentee/mail-in voting

All voters are eligible to vote absentee/by-mail in Illinois. There are no special eligibility requirements for voting by mail.[7]

To vote by mail, a ballot application must be received by the election office between 90 and five days prior to the election if sent by mail. An application submitted in-person must be received no later than the day before the election. A returned absentee/mail-in ballot must then be postmarked no later than midnight the night before election and received no later than 14 days after the election.[7]

Voters can sign up for a permanent vote-by-mail list and automatically receive vote-by-mail ballots for subsequent elections.[8]


Local election officials

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Do you need information about elections in your area? Are you looking for your local election official? Click here to visit the U.S. Vote Foundation and use their election official lookup tool.

Voting rules for people convicted of a felony

See also: Voting rights for people convicted of a felony

In Illinois, people convicted of a felony automatically regain their voting rights at the completion of their prison or jail sentence, as specified by Article III, Section 2 of the Illinois State Constitution.

Voting rights for people convicted of a felony vary from state to state. In the majority of states, people convicted of a felony cannot vote while they are incarcerated but may regain the right to vote upon release from prison or at some point thereafter.[9]


Election administration agencies

Election agencies

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See also: State election agencies

Individuals seeking additional information about voting provisions in Illinois can contact the following local, state, and federal agencies.

Illinois Election Authorities

Click here for a list

Illinois State Board of Elections

2329 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, Illinois 62704
Phone: 217-782-4141
Fax: 217-782-5959
Email: webmaster@elections.il.gov
Website: https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx

U.S. Election Assistance Commission

633 3rd Street NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 301-563-3919
Toll free: 1-866-747-1471
Email: clearinghouse@eac.gov
Website: https://www.eac.gov


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State of Election Administration Legislation Reports

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See also

Elections in Illinois


External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Illinois State Board of Elections, "Registering to Vote in Illinois," accessed August 12, 2024
  2. ↑ Ballotpedia Legislation Tracker, "Illinois SB2123," accessed August 12, 2024
  3. ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Frequently Asked Questions," accessed August 12, 2024
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  5. ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election Day Information," accessed August 12, 2024
  6. ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Illinois Voter Information," June 16, 2015
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Illinois General Assembly, "Illinois Compiled Statutes 10 ILCS 5, Article 19. Voting by Mail," accessed August 12, 2024
  8. ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Bill Status of SB0825," accessed July 6, 2021
  9. ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "Felon Voting Rights," April 6, 2023
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