Illinois Voting Requirements & Information

U.S. Vote Foundation’s Illinois Voting Requirements and Information directory informs you of Illinois voting rules and options. It focuses on Illinois-specific voting guidelines and information for all voters, including domestic, overseas, and military voters. Here you can find out about Illinois voter eligibility, voter ID requirements, registration, absentee and early voting options, ways to transmit voting documents and links to specific-Illinois voting tools. It's an all-in-one Illinois voting resource.

Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines

Illinois Local Elections

Tue Apr 1, 2025 - Illinois Consolidated Municipal General Election

Voter Registration Deadline

  • In-Person Request by
    Tue Mar 4, 2025
  • Postmarked by
    Tue Mar 4, 2025
  • Online by
    Sun Mar 16, 2025
  • Grace Period
    From Wed Mar 5, 2025 to Tue Apr 1, 2025

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline

  • Online by
    Thu Mar 27, 2025
  • Post Received by
    Thu Mar 27, 2025
  • In-Person Request by
    Mon Mar 31, 2025

Absentee Ballot Return Deadline

Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received by
Tue Apr 15, 2025

Early Voting Available

Early Voting
From Fri Mar 7, 2025 to Mon Mar 31, 2025

General Information

Registration

You can register to vote or update your registration information:

  • online
  • by mail
  • in person at your elections office
  • at some public assistance offices and motor vehicle offices
  • on Election Day - contact your local elections office to confirm locations where same day registration is available in your area

You must have resided in your precinct at least 30 days prior to the election in which you intend to vote.

Online registration is available until 16 days before the Election. Mail-in registration must be received 27 days before the Election.

Election Day Voting

Polling places are open from 6am until 7pm on Election Day.

Find my polling place

Early Voting

A registered voter may cast a ballot prior to Election Day at the office of the election authority or at an Early Voting Center. Contact your election office to inquire about early voting options in your area for specific elections.

Absentee Voting

Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail. You may now sign up to permanently vote by mail rather than request a ballot each election.

Please visit the US Vote Disability Voting Guide to see accommodations for the registration and voting process.

Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible to vote in Illinois if you:

  • Are a U.S. citizen
  • Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
  • Live in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election

*You can vote vote in a Primary Election at the age of 17, if you will be 18 by the time of the General Election.

You are NOT eligible to vote in Illinois if:

  • You are registered to vote in another state
  • You are in prison or jail for a conviction of any kind. (Does not include pre-trial detention.)

Restorative Requirements

  • If you have completed a felony prison sentence, even if you are still on parole or probation, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote.

If you are a student, you are eligible to vote in Illinois if:

  • You reside in Illinois but are attending college in another state
  • You reside in another state but attend college in Illinois

Identification Requirements

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Illinois you should provide:

  • Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number
  • Your Illinois Driver's License or State non-driver ID Number

If you do not have any of these IDs, you can provide a copy of one of the following with your registration application:

  • Current and Valid Photo ID
  • Government Issued Document that shows your current name and address
  • Utility Bill
  • Government Check
  • Bank Statement
  • Paycheck that Shows your Current Name and Address
  • Valid Student ID and Mail Addressed to your Residence

You can alternatively provide one of these documents when you vote to complete your registration. Two forms of identification with at least one showing your current residence address are needed when you register in-person.

Voting In-Person

If you registered to vote in Illinois, you may be required to present valid ID if you are voting for the first time or your registration is incomplete. You can use any ID from this list:

  • Lease or rent agreement
  • Paycheck that shows your Current Name and Address
  • Current and Valid Photo ID
  • Utility Bill
  • Bank Statement
  • Valid Student ID and Mail Addressed to your Residence
  • Government Check
  • Government Issued Document that shows your Current Name and Address

Voter Materials Transmission Options

Domestic Voter

In-Person

Mail

Fax

Email

Online
Voter Registration
Absentee Ballot Request
Blank Ballot To Voter
Voted-Absentee Ballot Return

State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered?

State Elections Website

https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx

Where is my Polling Place?

https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx

Can I Register to Vote Online?

https://ova.elections.il.gov/

Am I Registered?

https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx

Where are my Early Voting Locations?

https://elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/EarlyVotingLocationsSearch.aspx?T=638018830802711160

Overseas / Military Voter Information

https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/Military.aspx

Where is my Ballot Drop Box?

https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/VoteByMailBallotDropBoxLocations.aspx

State Voter Registration FAQ

https://www.elections.il.gov/Main/FAQ.aspx#BEREP

Where is my Overseas or Military Ballot?

https://move.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f
REGISTER TO VOTE REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOT