Voter Registration

To be eligible to vote

• You must be a U.S. citizen
• You must be at least 18 years of age by Election Day (It is now possible for 16-year-olds to preregister to vote. 17-year-olds are eligible to register for a Primary Election if they will be 18 by the General Election. )
• You must live in your precinct for at least 30 days before the election
• You must not claim the right to vote elsewhere
• You must not be in prison or jail serving time for a conviction— but persons who have completed their sentences and who meet all other requirements listed above are eligible to register and vote in Illinois

 

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What do I need

To register ONLINE, you need all four of the following:

• llinois Driver’s License or State ID number
• Date the license or ID was issued
• Last four digits of social security number
• Birth date

To register IN PERSON, you need two forms of identification, one of which must list your current address. Neither needs to be a photo ID. The following are acceptable:

• Passport or Military ID
• Driver's License or State ID card
• College/University/School/Work ID
• Vehicle registration card
• Lease, mortgage or deed to home
• Credit or debit card
• Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid card
• Insurance card
• Civic, union or professional membership card
• LINK/Public Aid/Department of Human Services card
• Illinois FOID card
• Mail of the following types addressed to you
• Bill, transcript, or school report card
• Bank statement, pay stub, or pension statement
• Utility, medical, or insurance bill
• Official mail from any government agency

For more information, please visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

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Automatic Voter Registration

When you visit a Secretary of State Drivers Services facility, you will be asked if you want to register to vote or update your registration. If you say yes, you have “opted-in” to Automatic Voter Registration.

Your completed voter registration application is transmitted from Drivers Services to the Illinois State Board of Elections. You will be provided a receipt of voter registration application. Keep the receipt until you receive your voter registration card from your local election authority.

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In-Person Registration

• With a Deputy Registrar (LWV voter registration campaign)
• County Clerk's Office
• Board of Elections Office
• City and Village Halls
• Township Offices

 

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Online Registration

You can register to vote (or change your address) online*.
New! Pre-registration for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Online voter registration closes 16 days before the election.

*Voter Registration Scam
We have recently been alerted about a voter registration scam. Some Illinois residents have received a text which includes the recipients’ home addresses, and asks them to click a link to confirm their registration status and/or register to vote. We have confirmed with the Illinois State Board of Elections that it does not send requests for your personal information.  Do not click on links, return calls, or provide personal, banking or account information to anyone who reaches out to you unexpectedly! That includes calls, texts and emails. Instead, look up the company/agency online and follow up using verified contact information you looked up yourself.

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Mail-In

You may register to vote by mailing in an application. Applications can be downloaded from the Illinois State Board of Elections website. When you apply for registration using the mail-in form, it must be postmarked prior to the close of registration. You will need to show valid ID the first time you vote.

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Early Registration
Illinois offers voter registration at all early voting locations in the lead up to an election. Find early voting locations near you.

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Same Day

 In Illinois you can register on Election Day at your polling place. Find your Election Day polling place.

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After registering to vote a voter identification card will be sent to your registered address.

Suburban cook county voters can check their registration status at cookcountyclerk.com/service/your-voter-information.n.

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For more information on registering to vote, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page!