Illinois Voting Guide

Welcome to FindLaw’s Illinois Voter Guide. Here, we will answer questions about your eligibility to vote, voter registration, absentee ballots, how to find your polling place, what to bring to the polls, accommodations, and what to do if you see illegal activity at the polls.

Voting In Illinois

Illinois voters have many options when it comes to selecting their civic leaders. Illinois routinely holds the following types of elections:

• General elections (including midterm elections)
  • Presidential
  • Gubernatorial
  • United States Senate
• Primary elections
• State-wide elections
  • General assembly
• Local elections

Can I Vote In Illinois?

To vote in Illinois elections, you must be both:

• A U.S. Citizen
• A resident of Illinois and the county where you live for at least 30 days

Convicted felons in Illinois have their voting rights restored once they have served their sentence.

When is Illinois’s voter registration deadline?

The deadline for regular registration is 27 days before an election. The deadline for online registration is 16 days before an election. Illinois has a grace period that lets you register after the deadlines. You must register to vote and cast your ballot in person.

Grace period registration starts the 27th day before Election Day.

Can I request an absentee ballot in Illinois?

You do not need an excuse to vote absentee or via mail-in ballot in Illinois. Any registered voter, including the following, can get an absentee ballot:

• Illinois residents unavoidably absent from their polling site on Election Day
• Illinois residents serving in the military away from their polling place
• Illinois residents temporarily living outside the United States
• Illinois residents would prefer to vote by mail

To vote by mail, complete an application for a vote-by-mail ballot. If completing a paper copy, you must send your application to your local election office.

If you change your mind about voting absentee, you can vote at your polling station with your mail-in ballot. If you do not have this ballot, you may vote using a provisional ballot.

What do I need to bring to the polls in Illinois?

Registered Illinois voters do not need to show ID at the polling place. You should walk with your ID in case an election judge challenges your right to vote or if you didn’t provide your ID when you registered to vote.

Examples of acceptable forms of ID include:

• Driver’s license or state ID
• Passport
• Military ID
• Credit or debit card
• Insurance card
• College, school, or work ID
• Vehicle registration card
• Illinois FOID card
• Lease, mortgage, or deed to a home
• Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid card
• Civic, union, or professional membership card
• LINK/Public Aid/Department of Human Services card
• Utility bill
• School transcript
• Bank statement

Is there voter accessibility in Illinois?

Illinois’ polling places accommodate voters with a disability such as by providing the following:

• Magnifying lenses
• Touchscreens
• Sip-and-puff devices
• Curbside voting
• Wheelchair-accessible voting booths
• Audio voting

You can also get help voting from the following persons:

• Friend
• Neighbor
• An election official

You and the person helping you must sign an affidavit. You may also ask for help from two election judges, one from each major political party.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

If you see or experience anything illegal at the polls, you should report it.

Notify the Illinois State Board of Elections if you:

• Witness a crime such as voter fraud or intimidation
• Believe an election official broke the law or abused their discretion
• Experienced a violation of the Help America Vote Act

Get Legal Help

You have an absolute right to vote as long as you meet the voter eligibility requirements. If you experience voter intimidation or harassment at your polling place, a civil rights attorney can help. They are experts in voting rights law and can give you sound legal advice. Speak to an experienced civil rights attorney today.