The upcoming election is a presidential primary. Learn About Presidential Primaries
Learn about all the options to vote in Illinois to make a plan to vote that works for you!
Illinois Board of Elections Phone Number: (217) 782-4141
Whether you are registering to vote for the first time, or need to update your address, name or party affiliation - we've got you covered!
Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.
Request and track
Notice: Mail-in voting is a convenient and safe way to vote, but your ballot might not count if it’s submitted late or with errors. So follow the directions below on how to vote early or absentee and make your vote count in Illinois.
Voting by mail is a two step process in Illinois.
Step 1: Request your ballot NOW. The deadline for your application to be received is March 14th.
Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.
Remember to sign your return ballot.
After you complete your ballot, sign the affidavit on the certification envelope.
Be sure that your signature matches your signature on file with the state! If you registered online or at the DMV, check the signature on your license. If the signature does not match, your ballot could be tossed and will not count.
First time voters must submit ID when voting by mail.
ID is required with completed mail-in ballot.
If voting-by-mail, ID is still not required but signature must match the signature on the voter registration form.
If you return your ballot by mail, you must add a stamp when mailing in your ballot. You can also return your ballot via commercial delivery services, such as FedEx or UPS (at your expense).
You can also drop off your ballot in person at your local elections office, or drop box.
Any designated person can drop off a ballot for you. You must sign the affidavit on the ballot envelope affirming that authorization was given to deliver the ballot.
If you have an absentee ballot that you are not going to use, or you miss the deadline to return, you may go to your polling place and vote in person. You must submit your vote by mail ballot to the polling place's election judges, fill out an affidavit stating that you never received the vote by mail ballot, or if you received a vote by mail ballot but did not return it to the election authority, you will be eligible to vote provisionally.
Illinois does offer voters a chance to address challenges to their ballot.
Your state has a cure period, which means you can “cure” a challenge to the signature on your ballot if it was done incorrectly. Your local election office is required to contact you and give you options to remedy your ballot. You have until 14 days after Election Day to cure your ballot.
You may get a call from a number you do not recognize with a notification that you need to cure your ballot. Be sure to pick up so that you don’t miss your chance to make sure your vote counts.
Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.
Primary Type (D): Open
Primary Type (R): Open
Illinois voters may choose a party’s ballot at the polls. No party affiliation is required at registration. See Illinois Republican Party or Democratic Party sites for more details.
Your state automatically registers people to vote at their address of record when they interact with certain state agencies. If you have moved, changed your name or want to add a political party selection, you must update your voter registration. Click here to check to see if you are registered to vote, and update your registration if needed.
You can register to vote and cast your ballot on Election Day at your polling place or local elections office. Bring a valid ID and proof of residence with you.
Early voting locations for Chicago's mayoral election can be found here. You may register to vote in person at early voting locations. Any voter in Chicago can vote at any Early Voting site throughout the city. It does not matter where you live in the city. Voters can choose whatever voting site is most convenient for them, including on Election Day!
Some states have laws that specifically allow citizens to preregister at a certain age while others allow registration as long as you’re 18 by the next election. Preregistration means you’ll be automatically registered to vote on your 18th birthday without taking any additional steps.
In Illinois, you can preregister to vote if you are 18 by the next election. Register to vote today!
Some states even let you vote in their primaries at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the general election so you can participate in the whole process!
You can vote in the Illinois primaries if you are 17 by the next election.
