To register to vote in Illinois:
- Be a United States Citizen.
- Be a resident of the jurisdiction at least 30 days prior to the election.
- Be 18 before the next general election (17 year olds can register and vote in the primary if they will be 18 before the Election Day).
That’s it! You can vote in Illinois regardless of previous criminal history, or if you’re lacking certain identification like a driver’s license.
Source: ACLU of Illinois https://www.aclu-il.org/en/campaigns/registering-and-voting-illinois
Voter Identification
When Voters Do (And Don’t) Need Identification (ID)
0 Forms of ID
No ID is needed when:
- The voter is already registered at the voter’s current address and is voting in the correct precinct.
- Signature appears to match the voter signature on file.
- Election Judges do not challenge the person’s right to vote.
1 Form of ID
One (1) Form of ID with voter’s current address is needed when:
- Election Judges challenge the person’s right to vote.
- Voter submitted mail-in registration form that did not have Illinois identification/driver’s license number or Social Security number.
Examples of acceptable ID are listed below.
2 Forms of ID
Two (2) Forms of ID are needed when:
- The voter is registering in person after the voter registration deadline, including in the voter’s home precinct on Election Day.
- The voter is filing an address change in person after the voter registration deadline, including in the voter’s home precinct on Election Day.
One of these two IDs must list the voter’s current address.
Acceptable Forms of ID
- 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
Examples of first-class mail addressed to voter that can be used as ID:
- Bill, Transcript or Report Card from School
- Bank Statement, Pay Stub or Pension Statement
- Utility, Medical or Insurance Bill
- Official mail from any government agency
Source: https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/service/when-voters-do-and-dont-need-identification-id
Checking Your Voter Registration
ARE YOU REGISTERED? CHECK HERE
Even if you think you are registered to vote, check to make sure your registration has not been mistakenly removed without your knowledge.
- If you encounter problems with your registration contact the Illinois State Board of Elections.
- Need to change your registered address? Find more information here: https://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionOperations/PDF/RegisteringToVote.pdf
Local, State, & Regional Offices
- Voter Registration – McDonough County Clerk, Gretchen DeJaynes: http://mcg.mcdonough.il.us/voterreg.html
Resources:
First Amendment Encyclopedia: https://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/encyclopedia