Voting in Illinois

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Election Dates

03/19/2024
State Primary Election Day
02/20/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (by mail - postmarked, in-person)
03/03/2024
Voter Registration Deadline (online)

Vote By Mail Deadlines

03/14/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

Early Voting Dates

02/08/2024
Early Voting Begins
03/18/2024
Early Voting Ends

The upcoming election is a state primary. Click here for additional info, including party requirements and what's on the ballot.

Polling place hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Register to Vote

How to Vote in Illinois

Learn about all the options to vote in Illinois to make a plan to vote that works for you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Illinois Board of Elections Phone Number: (217) 782-4141

Illinois Board of Elections Website

Having trouble at the polls?

Call or text: 1-866-OUR-VOTE

Register to Vote in Illinois

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!

Am I Registered?

Not sure if you are eligible to vote due to a felony conviction?
Click here to learn more.

Vote By Mail

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.

Vote By Mail Deadlines

03/14/2024
Deadline to Request Ballot (Received by)
Deadline to Return Ballot (Postmarked By)

How Vote By Mail Works 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 30th.

  • If you need to request a ballot, you may do so here.

Step 2: Complete and return your ballot ASAP.

  • Return in person to your local elections office or designated drop box on or before April 4th at 7:00 p.m.
  • Stamp and return your ballot by mail - ballots must be postmarked by April 4th and received by 14 days after Election Day to be counted. To make your postmark date, put the ballot into your home mailbox for collection at least one day prior to ensure it is picked up and processed. You can also drop the ballot off at the post office before the last posted collection time on April 4th. We recommend returning ASAP.

Click Here to See Your Ballot

Where to Sign Your Ballot

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.

ID Requirements to Vote By Mail

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.

How You Can Return Your Mail-in Ballot

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.

Can Someone Else Return Your Ballot For You?

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.

Haven't used your 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.

Opportunities to Fix Challenges to Your Ballot

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.

Voter ID

Do Voters Need ID?

  • Current and valid photo ID
  • Copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other federal, State, or local government document showing your name and address.
  • Student ID with a photo

 

Voter ID in Illinois

Find Your Ballot

Enter your address below to see what you can expect on Election Day.

Primaries

Statewide Primaries

Primary Type (D): Open
Primary Type (R): Open

To participate in the Chicago Mayoral primary election, you may choose to vote in any party’s primary. You will become a member of the party that you choose.

The Chicago primary election includes the following races:
– Chicago mayor
– City clerk
– City treasurer
– Alderpeople
– Police council districts

In Chicago, 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by April 4th, 2023, are able to vote in the primary election.

Automatic Registration

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.

Election Day Registration

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

Early Voting Dates

02/08/2024
Voting Begins
03/18/2024
Voting Ends

You can vote early in Illinois

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!

Preregister

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.