{"id":351470,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:44","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/illinois-voting-guide.html"},"modified":"2026-03-04T11:56:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T16:56:08","slug":"illinois-voting-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/illinois-voting-guide.html","title":{"rendered":"Illinois Voting Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Voting in Illinois<\/div>\n \"Your\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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  1. \n FindLaw <\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n <\/li>\n
  2. Illinois Voting Guide<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Illinois Voting Guide<\/h1>\n\n
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    \n By Balrina Ahluwalia, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
    \n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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    This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

    \n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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    The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

    Illinois<\/span> voting laws protect registered voters’ ability to cast ballots safely and confidently in elections. Eligible Illinois<\/span> voters<\/span> can register to vote in person<\/span>, online, by mail, or through same-day registration<\/span>. They can also vote early, by mail, or on Election Day<\/span>. Key protections include accessible polling places<\/span>, provisional ballots<\/span> if eligibility<\/span> is questioned, and the right to vote privately without harassment or intimidation.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Illinois<\/span> has strong protections to help ensure every eligible voter can participate in elections safely and confidently. The 2021 Elections Omnibus Bill updated many of these rules<\/u><\/a>, expanding voter access in various ways. These are only meaningful if voters are aware of them. Whether you choose to vote in person<\/span>, use early voting<\/span>, or vote by mail<\/span>, understanding your voter rights helps maintain fairness in Illinois<\/span> elections.<\/p>\n

    This article breaks down some of your key rights as an Illinois<\/span> voter<\/span>. We review recent legislative changes, including improved vote-by-mail<\/span> options, early voting<\/span>, and voter education. We’ll also help you identify voting rights<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u200b violations and what you can do about them.<\/p>\n

    While the law provides avenues to address issues that arise in the voting process<\/span>, consulting an Illinois<\/span> civil rights attorney<\/u><\/a>\u200b may be a good idea in some cases. They can help you understand the remedies available to you so you can determine the best way forward.<\/p>\n

    For now, let’s start with the important rights of Illinois<\/span> voters<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Your Voting Rights<\/span> in Illinois<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Illinois<\/span> voter<\/span> rights aim to ensure that eligible voters can register, cast a ballot, and participate in elections safely, fairly, and without discrimination or unnecessary barriers<\/u><\/a>\u200b. Let\u2019s examine some of these protections.<\/p>\n

    The Right To Vote in Private and Free From Harassment<\/h3>\n

    Every voter has the right to cast a ballot in private. No one may watch you mark your ballot, pressure you, or try to influence your choices. If anyone tries to interfere, tell the election judges<\/span> or other election officials<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u200b immediately.<\/p>\n

    The Right To Bring Notes or a Sample Ballot<\/h3>\n

    You may bring written notes, a sample ballot, or a list of candidates into the booth at the polling place<\/span>. Just don’t show them to other voters or leave them behind.<\/p>\n

    The Right To Cast a Provisional Ballot<\/span> if Your Eligibility<\/span> Is Questioned<\/h3>\n

    If your eligibility<\/span> is questioned, you can still vote using a provisional ballot<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u200b. This is a backup ballot used when a voter’s eligibility<\/span> needs to be confirmed before the vote can be counted. For example, if your name is missing from the voter list, you won\u2019t be permitted to vote right then and there.<\/p>\n

    Your election office<\/span> will later review your information to confirm whether it counts. After casting a provisional ballot<\/span>, you can check its status with your election authority<\/span>. Counties typically notify voters within a specific timeframe whether their ballot was counted and, if not, the reason why.<\/p>\n

    The Right To Receive Assistance From a Person of Your Choice<\/h3>\n

    If you need help marking your ballot, you may bring someone with you. This can be a friend, family member, or caregiver. However, it cannot be your employer or union representative.<\/p>\n

    If you need help but didn’t bring someone, two election judges<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u200b (one from each major political party) must assist together. This protects neutrality and prevents any one judge from influencing your vote.<\/p>\n

    The Right To Vote if You Are in Line When the Polls Close<\/span><\/h3>\n

    As long as you are already in line at the moment the polls close<\/span>, you must be allowed to vote. No one can turn you away<\/u><\/a>\u200b or tell you to come back another time.<\/p>\n

    The Right To Accessible Voting<\/h3>\n

    Voters with disabilities<\/u><\/a>\u200b<\/strong> have the right to accessible polling places<\/span>, voting machines, and reasonable accommodations. If a location is not accessible, election officials<\/span> must offer an alternative, such as curbside voting or assistance inside.<\/p>\n

    The Right To Correct or Replace a Spoiled Ballot<\/h3>\n

    If you make a mistake on your ballot, you can ask for a new one before it is cast. Election judges<\/span> must give you a replacement ballot without questioning your reason.<\/p>\n

    The Right To Vote After Release From Prison<\/h3>\n

    In Illinois<\/span>, your right to vote is automatically restored once you are released from prison after serving any sentence. You do not need to wait until parole or probation ends, and you do not need special paperwork<\/u><\/a>\u200b. Just reregister to vote.<\/p>\n

    The Right to Report Intimidation, Discrimination, or Misconduct<\/h3>\n

    If you see or experience illegal behavior at the polls, you have the right to report it to election judges<\/span>, your election authority<\/span>, or the Illinois<\/span> State Board of Elections<\/span><\/u><\/a>\u200b. Reporting problems helps protect other voters and ensure accurate election results<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Criteria for Voting Eligibility<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Illinois<\/span>‘ voting eligibility<\/span> rules don’t include any unusual requirements compared with other states. To vote in Illinois<\/span>, you must:<\/p>\n