Illinois

Ballot curing is when a voter corrects an issue with their ballot, so it can be counted.  

Does Illinois allow ballot curing?  

Yes, Illinois allows voters to fix an issue with their ballot.  

How will I know if there’s an issue with my absentee or mail-in ballot?  

You will receive a notice with the reason or reasons your ballot was rejected, and it will let you know if you need to appear before the election authority to show cause as to why your ballot should not be rejected.    

What is the deadline to cure my ballot?  

The deadline to cure (correct) your absentee/mail ballot is 14 days after the election. 

How do I cure my provisional ballot?  

If you voted by provisional ballot, you may submit additional information to your local election officials. Any additional information to show that you are a registered voter or eligible to vote, must be received no later than the close of business the Thursday following Election Day. 

Can I track the status of my provisional ballot online? 

You can track the status of your provisional ballot using your state’s online tool.   

For information on federal campaign contributions, please visit Open Secrets. For state-specific information, click here. 

Information on local, state and federal candidates and ballot measures may be available here.

What is a ballot drop box?

A drop box is a secure, locked structure operated by election officials where voters can deliver their absentee ballot any time, day or night.

Are drop boxes available in my state?

Yes, vote-by-mail drop boxes are available in Illinois. 

Where can I find ballot drop box locations?

Vote-by-mail drop boxes will be installed in some locations. Check your State Board of Elections website to see if there is a drop box in your jurisdiction.  

Can I track the ballot after placing in the drop box? 

No, you can not track your ballot after placing in the drop box.

Early Voting Starts: 40 days before Election Day 

Early Voting Ends: The day before Election Day

Can I vote before Election Day in Illinois?

Yes. Illinois offers early in-person voting, which allows voters to cast their ballot before Election Day.

Who can vote early in Illinois?

Any registered voter in Illinois may vote early. You do not need an excuse or special reason to vote early.

When can I vote early in Illinois?

Early voting in Illinois begins up to 40 days before Election Day and continues through the day before Election Day.

Exact start dates and daily hours vary by county and by the type of election. Check with your local election authority for specific dates and times.

Where can I vote early in Illinois?

You can vote early at designated early voting locations in your county. Many counties offer early voting at the county clerk’s office and at additional temporary locations.

Locations and hours vary, so check with your local election authority for details.

The next election date can be found here https://www.vote411.org/illinois.

The polls are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

WHO CAN REGISTER TO VOTE IN ILLINOIS? 

To register to vote in Illinois, you must: 

• Be a US citizen 
• Be at least 18 years old by the next Consolidated or General Election (you may register and vote in a Primary at age 17 if you’ll be 18 by the General Election) 
• Have lived in your precinct for at least 30 days before Election Day 

WHO CAN VOTE IN ILLINOIS? 

You can vote in Illinois if you: 

• Are a registered voter 
• Meet the eligibility requirements (see above) 
• Are not currently incarcerated for a felony or misdemeanor conviction 

CAN I VOTE IF I HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION? 

In Illinois, you only lose your right to vote if you are currently incarcerated for a misdemeanor or felony conviction. If you lost your voting rights because of a conviction, you could register to vote immediately after release. Your voting rights are not restricted by pretrial detention, misdemeanors, probation, or parole.  

CAN I REGISTER AND VOTE IF I DON’T HAVE A TRADITIONAL ADDRESS? 

Yes. Illinois allows individuals without a permanent or fixed home address to register and vote. On the voter registration form, you can draw a map to indicate where you stay. Include details like cross streets, landmarks, or nearby names. 

If you don’t receive mail at your residence location, you must also provide a separate mailing address. This can be a P.O. box, shelter, advocacy group, outreach center, or someone who will accept mail for you. 

Do I need an ID to register to vote in Illinois?

It depends on how you register: 

• If you register in person, you must show two forms of ID, and at least one must show your current residence address 
• If you register by mail, you must provide sufficient proof of identity  
• If you register online, you will need to provide your Illinois driver’s license or state ID number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and the issue date of your license or ID 

What types of ID are accepted for registration?

Accepted forms of ID include: 

• An Illinois driver’s license or state ID number 
• The last four digits of your Social Security number 
• A copy of a valid photo ID 
• A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document showing your name and address 

Students may also register with a school-issued ID card plus a lease agreement or postmarked mail showing their current address. 

What if I don’t have an ID?

If you do not have the above ID when you register you will need to provide it before you vote either in person or by mail. 

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline

When are official election results available in Illinois?   

Official results are never available on Election Day. Election officials are working around the clock to count a large number of ballots, and it’s essential that they take the time to make sure every vote is counted.  

Where can I find official election results?  

Official election results will be uploaded to the Illinois Board of Elections’ website as they become available. 

You are a Military or Overseas voter if you are in uniformed services, living overseas OR a spouse or dependent of a uniformed services voter. To get registered and vote, you can utilize Overseas Vote Foundation.

If you have additional questions about elections and voting overseas you can use our state specific elections official directory or contact the Overseas Vote Foundation.

What does a poll worker do in Illinois?

In Illinois, poll workers are called election judges. They are responsible for administering election procedures in the polling place on Election Day and ensuring the process is fair and conducted according to the law.

Election judges:

• Open and close the polls
• Are responsible for all election materials
• Ensure only qualified voters vote and that each voter votes only once
• Ensure ballots are cast in secret
• Provide instructions on how to vote when requested
• Assist voters who cannot read or write English, and voters who are blind or have physical disabilities
• Maintain order in the polling place
• Tally votes after polls close and certify the results for the precinct

What qualifications do I need to be a poll worker in Illinois?

To serve as an election judge in Illinois, you must:

•  Be a U.S. citizen
• Be of good character and not required to register under the Sex Offender Registration Act
• Be able to speak, read, and write English
  • English/Spanish bilingual applicants encouraged to apply
• Not be a candidate for office in that election
• Live in and be registered to vote in the precinct where you serve (with limited exceptions allowing service elsewhere within the county)
• Complete required training

Are poll workers paid in Illinois?

Yes. Election judges in Illinois are paid for their service. Compensation varies by county and by election. Many counties also provide additional pay for completing required training.

How do I apply to be a poll worker in Illinois?

If you are interested in serving as an election judge, visit your county election authority’s website for application details and deadlines.

You can find your polling place by utilizing your state resource.

If you have further questions on your polling place location, please contact your county clerk.

Illinois is a “partially open” primary state. This allows voters to cross party lines, however, they must first publicly declare their ballot choice. Ballot selection may also be regarded as a form of registration with the selected party. 

If you have any questions about your state’s primary election, please contact your local election officials.

What is a provisional ballot?  

Provisional ballots ensure that all voters can cast a ballot even if voter eligibility isn’t certain when they vote. Voters can mark a provisional ballot, and election workers set it aside until eligibility is verified at a later time.  

Does Illinois offer provisional voting?  

Yes, Illinois offers provisional voting.  

How do I  vote a provisional ballot?   

You may vote a provisional ballot if you meet specific conditions. An election judge will issue you a provisional ballot at your polling place if:  

• Your name does not appear on the official list of eligible voters in that precinct. 
• Your voting status has been challenged and a majority of the judges uphold the challenge. 
• You did not provide an ID when registering by mail and still don't provide an ID on Election Day. 
• A court order extends the time for closing the polls, and you vote during this extended time period. 
• Your name appears on the list of voters who voted during early voting. 
• You admit to receiving a vote-by-mail ballot but did not return the unvoted ballot to the election authority. 
• You tried to register on Election Day but failed to provide the necessary documentation. 

By law, you must vote in your assigned precinct for all votes on your provisional ballot to count. 

How can I check the status of my provisional ballot?  

To find out if your vote was counted, please use your state's provisional ballot tool. 

What voting assistance is available for voters with disabilities?

The Help America Vote Act requires that election authorities have voting equipment for voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently, and Illinois is no exception. 

There are options for a seated voting booth, voting assistance from a friend, relative, or two election judges (one from each party), voting by mail, and curbside voting.

Language assistance is also available where required.

For more information on the provisions available for disabled voters, please contact your local election authority.

How do I request accommodation or report accessibility issues?

If you have any questions about receiving help in voting, please ask the clerk or inspector at the polling place.

Can I vote by mail because of my disability?

Vote-by-mail (absentee voting) is available in Illinois and no excuse is required. You can find more about how to vote by mail here. 

For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

What do I need to register to vote in Illinois? 

Here is what you need to know to register in Illinois: 

There are three methods of voter registration in Illinois: register in-person, register online, or mail a printable application to the Illinois Secretary of State. 

Can I register to vote using my college address in Illinois? 

Yes, if you consider your campus address your residence, you can register to vote there. If you move to a different dorm or off campus, be sure to update your voter registration with your new address so you vote in the correct district.  

What’s the deadline to register to vote in Illinois? 

The deadline to register to vote in Illinois depends on how you register. Online registration closes 16 days before Election Day, and registration by mail must be postmarked 28 days before. Be sure to check the exact date each year. You can also register in person up to and including on Election Day. 

If you register by mail, you’ll need to vote in person the first time unless you’re disabled, in the military, or provided proper ID when registering.  

What form of ID do I need to vote in Illinois? 

An Illinois voter is not required to show identification. However, if you are voting for the first time, you may be asked to show a form of identification when you go to the polls. This can include a driver’s license, passport, student ID from a state-supported college, or other accepted forms. 

I’m originally from another state, can I still vote in my home state while studying in Illinois? 

Yes, you can vote in your home state using an absentee ballot, but you'll need to follow your home state's rules and deadlines. You can find the rules for your state on VOTE411 or by contacting your state’s election office. 

Does registering to vote affect my financial aid, parents’ taxes, and/or tuition in Illinois? 

Registering to vote in your college community will not affect your Federal Financial Aid, status as a dependent on your parents’ taxes, or tuition status. 

Does Illinois require employers to give time off to vote?

Yes. Illinois law requires employers to give employees time off to vote on Election Day if their work schedule does not allow enough time to vote while the polls are open. An employee may take up to 2 hours of paid time off to vote.

The employee must request the time off before Election Day. Employers may specify the hours during which the employee may be absent to vote. If an employee has at least 2 consecutive hours outside of working hours while polls are open, the employer is not required to provide additional time off.

To verify your voter registration status

If you are a registered voter in Illinois, you may apply to be added to a permanent vote-by-mail list. If your application for permanent vote-by-mail status is accepted you will:

• Receive an official vote by mail ballot for all subsequent elections
• Remain on the permanent vote by mail list until you provide a written request to be removed or if there are any changes to your voter registration status

The permanent vote-by-mail application will be available online closer to the next election here. 

DO I NEED TO SHOW ID WHEN I VOTE IN ILLINOIS? 

In most cases, no, identification is not required to vote at the polls in Illinois as long as your registration is accurate and up to date. Instead, your signature is verified against the one on file from when you registered. If they do not match, you may be asked to show ID. 

However, if: 

• You registered by mail and did not include ID with your registration, 
• Or you are registering to vote during early voting or on Election Day (grace period registration), you will need to show ID to vote. 

WHAT TYPES OF ID CAN I USE IF ASKED TO SHOW ONE? 
Acceptable forms of ID include: 

• A current and valid photo ID 
• A utility bill 
• A bank statement 
• A government check 
• A paycheck 
• A lease or housing contract 
• A student ID along with mail addressed to your current residence 
• Any government document showing your name and current address 

All IDs must show your name and address. 

 WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE AN ACCEPTABLE ID WHEN I GO TO VOTE? 

If you are asked to show ID (for example, because you registered by mail without providing ID) and cannot provide it, you will be asked to vote using a Provisional Ballot. Your eligibility will be verified later by the election authority. 

 Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 at any time to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline 

What is the deadline to register to vote in Illinois?  

• Online registration deadline: 16 days before Election Day 
• Register by mail deadline: Postmarked 28 days before Election Day 
• In-person registration deadline: Available up to and including Election Day 

How can I check my voter registration status?  

You can verify your voter registration status using Illinois’ voter information tool. 

Does Illinois have online voter registration?  

Yes! Use our online registration tool to complete your application 

Is same-day voter registration available in Illinois?  

Yes, Illinois has same-day voter registration. 

Can I pre-register to vote?  

Yes, you can pre-register to vote if you’re at least 16 years old.  

To vote, you must be at least 17 years old by the Primary Election and turn 18 on or by the General or Consolidated Election. 

Who is eligible to register in Illinois?  

Check if you’re eligible to register here. 

What types of voting machines does Illinois use?

The voting systems used in Illinois are Optical Scan and DRE.

To find out what voting machine is used in your county, please visit your state's resource.

What is optical scan voting? 

With optical scan voting, you will receive a card or sheet of paper, which you take over to a private table or booth. The card has the names of the various candidates and ballot measures printed on it.  

• With a pen or pencil, you fill in a little box, circle, or space between two arrows.  
• When you are finished filling out all the cards, you may bring the cards over to a ballot box, where poll workers will show you how to put the cards in the box.  
• Or in some places, you may feed the completed cards or papers into a computer device that checks your card or paper right there at the polling place to make sure you have voted the way you want to and counts the votes. 

What is Direct Recording Electronic Voting? 

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE) is the newest system in use in the U.S. All the information about who and what you are voting for is on an electronic screen like a TV or computer screen. 

There are many variations of DREs because many companies are inventing new ones, and many cities, counties, and states are trying them out.  

• Usually, after you have signed in, the poll workers will give you a card that you slide into a device to start your voting session. 
• Some of these devices will show all candidates and ballot choices on one big screen. Often, with these big screen devices you push a button next to the name of the candidate you want to vote for (or yes or no on a ballot measure).  
• On other DREs, the screen is set up to show pages. There will probably be one thing on which to vote on each screen or page. For example, on one screen or page, you might vote for the president. Then you might move to the next page to vote for a senator. Often these small-screen devices have a touch screen, where you touch the screen next to the name of the person you want to vote for.  
• Other devices have a keypad, and some have a keyboard, so you can write in the name of someone you want to vote for. 
• You let the system know you are finished voting by pushing a button, touching the screen or entering something on a keypad. 

You can learn more about voting systems by checking out the Elections Assistance Commission's (EAC) resource.