Illinois/Voting

ID for Voter registration

Two forms of identification are required when registering to vote, one of which must show your current residential address.

If you register by mail, sufficient proof of identity is fulfilled by submission of your driver's license number or state identification card number.

If you don't have either of those, verification by one of the following will be required:

• the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number
• a copy of a current and valid photo ID
• a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other governmental document that shows your name and address

You may also demonstrate sufficient proof of identity by submission of a photo ID issued by a college or university along with either a copy of the applicant's contract or lease for a residence or a postmarked mail delivered to the applicant at his or her current address.

If you register by mail, you must vote in person the first time you vote unless you submit your driver license number or state ID number, the last four digits of your social security number or one of the forms of ID listed above.

ID Voting

Identification is not required to vote at the polls, although you will be required to verify your signature. If you registered to vote-by-mail and did not submit any ID with the registration, you must show a form of ID to vote.

Acceptable forms are:

• A current and valid photo ID
• Utility bill
• Bank statement
• Government check
• Paycheck
• Lease or contract for residence
• Student ID and mail addressed to voter's residence
• Government document

All forms of the IDs above must show your name and address. If you do not show any ID types, you will be asked to vote a Provisional Ballot.

A government-issued photo ID is not required to vote during Early Voting as long as your registration is accurate and up to date.

Voters can call or text 844-338-8743 anytime to reach VoteRiders Voter ID Helpline.

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting is available and no excuse is required. The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is 5 days before the election. Voted ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within two weeks in order to be counted. You can return your absentee ballot request form through the mail, a secure drop box, or in person.  Absentee ballots begin being counted on Election Day. Contact your local elections office for more information.

Requesting and Returning your Absentee Ballot:

You do not need an excuse to vote absentee in Illinois. You can request an absentee ballot:

• In person - no more than 90 days but before 1 day before the election
• By mail inside the US - no more than 90 days or less than 5 days before the election
• By mail outside the US - no less than 30 days before the election (to receive the full ballot), or less than 30 days but no more than 10 days before the election to receive the Federal Ballot only

Upon receipt, complete the application. Make certain to include your name, home address, address where you want the ballot to be mailed, and please remember to sign the application.

After completing the application, either mail it or hand-deliver it to your election authority. If you return the application in person or complete the application in the election authority's office, you may immediately vote with your absentee ballot in the election authority's office. If you mail the application and it is properly completed, the election authority will mail your absentee ballot to you.

After receiving your ballot, VOTE THE BALLOT IN SECRET. Insert the ballot into the envelope provided, seal it, complete and sign the certification on the back and PERSONALLY return it or mail it. The absentee voter may authorize, in writing, that a spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, or licensed motor carrier, should deliver the completed absentee ballot to the election authority in sufficient time to be delivered to the polling place on Election Day. Voted ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within two weeks in order to be counted.

Permanent Vote-by-Mail List:

If you are a registered voter in Illinois, you may apply to be added to a permanent vote-by-mail list. A notice of this new option will be sent to all qualified voters before the next general election along with the application to opt-in. Voters will still have the option to vote-by-mail for a single election. The permanent vote-by-mail application will be available online closer to the next election here.

Those who requested an absentee ballot but end up voting in person:

To do this, voters must bring their mailed ballot to the election site and turn it in to the election judge. If they do not have their mailed ballot with them, they will only be able to vote using a provisional ballot.

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot from the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Early Voting

Early voting is available to all voters beginning 40 days before an election and ends the day before the election. Locations and hours for early voting are determined by each election authority.

Election Day:

Polls are open from 6am-7pm.