Illinois

Land Acknowledgement

Illinois does not have federally recognized tribes. It is the traditional homeland of many tribes including the people of the Council of the Three Fires (the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa), the Peoria, Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Wea, Miami, Mascoutin, Sauk and Fox, Mesquaki, Kickapoo, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, and Chickasaw Nations.

Overview

You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person. The deadline to register to vote by mail is October 11. The deadline to register to vote online is October 23 by 11:59 PM. The deadline to register to vote in person is Election Day. Illinois offers "Grace Period and Voting" which allows you to register to vote even if you have missed the October 11 voter registration deadline.

Key Dates

September 29 - Voting by mail begins

October 11 - Deadline to register to vote by mail

October 23 - Deadline to register to vote online

October 24 - Early voting begins

November 3 - Deadline to request an absentee ballot

November 7 - Early voting ends

November 8 - Election Day & Deadline to register to vote in person

Contacts

Election Authorities

Illinois State Board of Elections or call at (217) 782-4141

Illinois Voting Guide

Note: The information below is not legal advice on how to vote. Because voting information is changing rapidly during this election, make sure you check the links provided and check with your state about deadlines and voting specifics.

Registering to Vote

The deadline to register to vote by mail is October 11. The deadline to register to vote online is October 23 by 11:59 PM. The deadline to register to vote in person is Election Day.
No.
You must provide two forms of ID with at least one showing your current residence address when you register to vote in person. If you register to vote by mail, you must provide your Illinois driver's license number or your State ID number. If you do not have either of those available, you can use the last four digits of your Social Security Number, a copy of a current and valid photo ID, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address. You may also submit a college or university ID to prove your identity and a copy of either your contract/lease for residence or a piece of postmarked mail delivered to your current residence address.
You must provide a residential address. However, you can draw a depiction of your home's location if you do not have a street address. You must describe your home, list the names of the subdivision, your neighbor's name, mileage, nearby cross streets and landmarks, or other identifying information.
You can contact your County Clerk here or the State Board of Elections here to check if you have a valid address or get a valid address.
You can get a valid ID for registering to vote from your nearest Driver Services facility, which can be found here.
Yes you can register to vote online here.
No.
Yes. You can register to vote at your County Clerk's office, Board of Election Commissioner's office, your City and Village office, your Township office, schools, public libraries, Military Recruitment offices, or locations specifically designated by the election authority. You can find your local Election Authorities here.
Yes. You can download and complete the Illinois voter registration form here and mail it to your local election official. Find your election office here.
You can register to vote unless you are currently serving a sentence in any federal or state prison, county jail, or are on work release. You must re-register to vote even if you were registered to vote before your conviction. You can learn more about registering to vote here. Contact the Illinois State Board of Elections at www.elections.il.gov or call (217) 782-4141.
You can contact the State Board of Elections here or your County Clerk, which can be found here.
The voter registration deadline by mail is October 11. The deadline to register to vote online is October 23 by 11:59 PM. The deadline to register to vote in person is Election Day.
Yes, under federal law you can assist someone in registering to vote if they do not speak English well, if they have trouble reading or writing, or if they have a disability.

Checking & Updating Voter Registration

You can check your voter registration online here.
You can contact the State Board of Elections here or your Election Authorities, which can be found here.
You can update your voter registration online here. You can also contact your Election Authority to update your voter registration here. However, even if you forget to update your information, the Grace Period Registration and Voting is now available through Election Day in Illinois. Grace Period registration is an extension of the regular voter 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, October 11, through Election Day. Grace Period registration is only available in person at designated areas, which you can find here.
Your voter registration is permanent unless you need to change your name and/or address.

Voting by Mail/Absentee/Ballot Drop-Off

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 3. Every registered voter in Illinois will be automatically mailed an application for an absentee ballot. The deadline to return your absentee ballot is on Election Day by 7PM.
Yes. Please check that you have filled out all required fields and signed your ballot. USPS recommends you mail in your ballot a week before the deadline to ensure your ballot is received on time. However, please factor in your personal experience with mail delivery times to and from your place of residence or where you drop off your ballot.
You must submit a request to vote by absentee ballot in Illinois. Every registered voter will automatically receive an application in the mail. You may also request a vote by mail ballot in person with your local Election Authority, or you may request it online here.
No. If you are registered to vote, you may apply for an absentee ballot and vote by mail.
Yes.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 3.
Ballots will be sent within one business day following the receipt and approval of your application at your local Election Authority.
You can have your ballot sent to any mailing address, even if it is different from your address on your voter registration.
Yes.
Your absentee ballot should be received by Election Day by 7PM. USPS recommends you mail in your absentee ballot one week prior to the state deadline, but you should mail in your ballot as soon as possible.
Yes. You can find polling locations here or contact your local Election Authority for more information on ballot drop off locations.
Yes. You may authorize another person to return your ballot if you put the name and address of the individual providing the assistance on the ballot certification envelope.
No.
No.
Yes. Your ballot can be rejected for the following reasons: If the signature on your ballot does not match that on your file; if the ballot envelope is open or has been opened and resealed; if you already cast an early or grace period ballot; if you voted in person on Election Day; you are not registered voter in the precinct; or on any other basis. If your ballot is rejected for any reason, the Election Authority must notify you within two days after the election, but in all cases before provisional ballots are counted.
It depends on your county. Some counties allow ballot tracking, but others may not. Check with your local Election Authority here.
You can contact your local Election Authority here.

Voting In-Person

You can find your polling place and hours here.
No.
Yes. Early voting begins October 24 and ends November 7. You can drop off your absentee ballot in person or by mail.
You do not need to provide ID to vote if you have voted in Illinois before. If you are a first time voter who did not provide ID when you registered, you will be required to provide one of the following: a copy of a current and valid photo ID; or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student ID and either a residential contract/lease or any postmarked mail delivered to your current residence address or other government document that shows your name and address.
You can get a valid ID to vote from your nearest Secretary of State facility.
Yes. You can vote with a provisional ballot if you meet one of the following circumstances: an election judge does not have you in the voter registration rolls; your voting status has been successfully challenged; you did not provide ID when you registered to vote; or a court order extends the time for closing the polls.
Yes. Under federal law (Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act), you are entitled to bring anyone you trust, such as a friend, family member, or neighbor, to the polling place AND into the polling booth to assist with voting. However, that person may not be your employer, running in the election, or a representative of your labor union. The person giving assistance also may not tell the voter how to vote.
You can contact your local Election Authority here.