At a Glance: Illinois

Illinois Voting Rules

Voter Registration Form:
Forms can be found here.

Deadline to Register:
Voter registration forms must be hand delivered or post-marked at least 28 days prior to the election (Oct 7, 2008). However, Illinois also offers a “grace period registration” which means voter registration may continue from Oct 8, 2008 until 14 days prior to the election (Oct 21. 2008).

Voter Eligibility:
In order for individuals to register to vote in Illinois, they must: be a US citizen; be at least 18 years of age on Election Day; have lived in their election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day; not be convicted and in jail; not claim the right to vote anywhere else.

Identification Requirements:
If a voter registration form is submitted by mail and the individual has never registered to vote in the jurisdiction they are now registering in, then they must send with this application either a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows their name and address. If they do not provide the information required above, then they will be required to provide election officials with this information the first time they vote at a polling place or by in-person absentee ballot.

Where to Turn in Your Registration:
Voter registration forms should be turned in to the voter’s local Election Authority. A list of local Election Authorities can be found here.
*If registering by mail, individuals must also vote in person the first time, either at the polling place or in-person absentee.

How to Register Others:
Only Deputy Registrars are allowed to register voters. In order to become a Deputy Registrar, a letter must be submitted to the local County Election Authority requesting a certain individual be appointed as a Deputy Registrar. All Deputy Registrars must live in the county in which they are appointed. There is no limit for how many Deputy Registrars there may be in each county. Once appointed, Deputy Registrars will participate in a training in which they will receive all information necessary to register voters.

Absentee Voting:
Absentee voting is available. Excuses are required.
Excuses: Registered voters can vote absentee if they are at least one of the following:
• Expecting to be absent from their county of residence on Election Day.
• Appointed to be judges of election in a precinct different from where they reside.
• Unable to be present at the polls because of a physical incapacity.
• Observing a religious holiday and unable to be present at the polls because of the tenets of their religion.
• Will be unable to be present at the polls because of election duties in the office of a state's attorney, county clerk, a board of election commissioners or State Board of Elections.
• Serving as sequestered jurors on a State or Federal jury only.
• Members of the United States Armed Forces while on active duty, and members of the Merchant Marines, as well as their spouses and dependents who expect to be absent from their county of residence on election day.
• Members of religious groups, welfare agencies as well as their spouses and dependents who are officially attached to or assisting members of the Armed Forces who expect to be absent from the county in which they reside on election day.
• State and Federal employees who had a voting residence in the precinct at the time they entered employment, but whom now reside elsewhere due to State or Federal employment.
• Temporarily residing overseas.
• Residing outside of the country, not registered to vote but qualified to vote in a federal election, may vote by absentee ballot for federal offices only.
Application Process: Applications for absentee ballots are not available online. They must be requested through the voter’s local Election Authority. Once received, fill out application and return to the local election authority. A list of local Election Authorities can be found here.
Dates: Applications for absentee ballots can be turned in from 40 days prior to the election (Sept 25, 2008) up until 5 days prior to the election (Oct 30, 2008) by mail and from 40 days prior to the election (Sept 25, 2008) to 1 day prior to the election (Nov 3, 2008) if hand delivered.

Early Vote:
Any registered voter can early vote. No excuses are necessary.
Dates: Voters may early vote at their local Election Office starting 22 days prior to the election (Oct 14, 2008) and ending 5 days prior to the election (Oct 30, 2008). *Individuals casting an early ballot must display valid identification such as a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

For More Information
State Board of Elections
1020 South Spring Street
Springfield, Illinois 62704
Phone: 217-782-4141
Visit their website

Info about veterans, voting in other states, etc.

Please see this website for more information on U.S. Military Voter Services and voting overseas.

Click here to return to our Voter Registration Action Center home page.

Read our voter registration event guide here.

Visit Illinios' state home page.