To vote in Illinois:
- You must be a United States Citizen.
- You must be at least 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election and turn 18 on or before the date of the General or Consolidated Election (16 year olds may preregister to vote).
- You must live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
- You must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction.
- You may not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
If you meet these requirements, you may register to vote in Illinois. Illinois’ residents may register several ways:
- Online using this link (https://ova.elections.il.gov/?ref=voteusa_en)
- In person at the office of the election authority. Find your local office at this link: https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionAuthorities.aspx
- At Driver’s license facilities
- With deputy registrars who are appointed in each jurisdiction
- Via mail using the Illinois Voter Registration Application available in English and Spanish
What you need to register:
- Two forms of identification with at least one showing your current residence address are needed when you register in-person.
- If you register by mail, sufficient proof of identity is required by submission of your driver’s license number or State identification card number.
- If you do not have either of those, verification by the last 4 digits of your social security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address will be required.
- A person may also demonstrate sufficient proof of identity by submission of an identification card issued by a college or university accompanied by either a copy of the applicant’s contract or lease for a residence or any postmarked mail delivered to the applicant at their current residence address.
Illinois citizens residing overseas and military personnel may register using a Federal postcard application found on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website. Other questions maybe answered using the Military and Overseas Voter Guidelines.
Registration is closed during the 27 days prior to an election. Individuals who miss the deadline may register or transfer their registration at the office of the election authority under the guidelines of grace period registration.
Illinois also allows “same day registration” in Early Voting locations and at the polling place on Election Day. To use “same day registration” the voter must show identification as outlined above and they must vote immediately at that location after they have registered.
More details can be found at this link:
https://www.elections.il.gov/votingandregistrationsystems/register.aspx