How to Vote in Illinois

Find out everything you need to know about how to vote in Illinois.

What Are My Voting Options?

In-Person Early Vote in-person, usually during a two to three week period before Election Day.
Drop Off Your Ballot Complete your absentee ballot at home and drop it at an official location.
Mail In Your Ballot Complete your absentee ballot at home and mail it in.
In-Person on Election Day Vote in-person on the day of the election.

No Upcoming Election and Deadline in Illinois

You may have elections happening in your area but we may not know about them at this time.

Please contact your state election official to find out more.

Vote Early In-Person

When can I vote early?

Contact your local election official for more information.

Who can vote early?

Voters do not need an excuse to vote early.

Where can I go to vote early?

Find your voting location options here. Data is still being made available across states – if you don't see voting locations yet for your address, check back in a few days!

Polls are open on Election Day in Illinois from 6:00am to 7:00pm. Find your polling place here.

What do I need to bring to vote early?

ID is not required in Illinois unless you are voting for the first time in a federal election (Presidential or Congressional), or if you are a first-time voter who registered by mail and did not provide identification with your registration.

Valid forms of ID include any current and valid photo identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address.

If you do not have any of the above forms of ID you can vote with a provisional ballot. In order for the ballot to be counted, submit additional information to the election authority within seven days following the election.

The election authority has 14 days following the election to determine your eligibility to vote and if the ballot should be counted. After that, you may check the status of that ballot to determine whether or not it was counted. If the ballot is not counted, the provisional voter affidavit will be used as a registration application and you will be sent a voter’s registration ID card.

Additional Resources

If you apply for a mail ballot but decide to vote in person instead, you should bring your blank mail ballot with you to the polling place (though you will still be able to vote without it by signing an affidavit).

For more information, contact your local election official.

For more information, contact your local election official.

Drop Off Your Ballot

Does my state allow absentee/mail ballot drop-off?

Yes

Who is eligible to vote absentee/by mail?

Voters do not need an excuse to vote by mail in Illinois.

How do I request a ballot?

Request a mail ballot here.

Request a ballot here.

When are the deadlines to request and drop off a ballot?

Make sure to return your ballot as soon as possible – don't wait until the deadline if you can return it earlier!

Where can I drop it off?

Find your ballot drop-off locations here. Data is still being made available across states – if you don't see any locations yet for your address, check back in a few days!

How to track your ballot

You can look up your mail ballot status by using our online tool.

Additional Information

Family members or other designated individuals may be permitted to drop off a voter's ballot depending on the circumstances. For more information, contact your local election official.

If you apply for a mail ballot, but decide to vote in person instead, you should bring your blank mail ballot with you to the polling place (though you will still be able to vote without it by signing an affidavit).

You may also authorize another person to return your ballot if you sign an affidavit on the ballot envelope affirming you’ve authorized the person to deliver your ballot.

For more information, contact your local election official.

For more information, contact your local election official.

Mail Your Ballot

Who can request a mail or absentee ballot?

Voters do not need an excuse to vote by mail in Illinois.

How do I request a ballot?

Request a mail ballot here. Request a ballot here

What are the deadlines to request and mail a ballot?

Make sure to return your ballot as soon as possible – don't wait until the deadline if you can return it earlier!

How to track your ballot

You can look up your mail ballot status by using our online tool.

Additional Information

For more information, contact your local election official.

In addition, Illinois allows voters to drop off their mail ballots. Find out more here.

Vote In-Person on Election Day

Where do I vote?

Find your voting locations here. Data is still being made available across states – if you don't see any locations yet for your address, check back in a few days!

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

If you're eligible to vote in Illinois but have not yet registered, you can register and vote at your polling place on Election Day.

What do I need to bring to vote?

Additional Information

If you apply for a mail ballot but decide to vote in person instead, you should bring your blank mail ballot with you to the polling place (though you will still be able to vote without it by signing an affidavit). For more information, contact your local election official.

For more information, contact your local election official.

Additional Illinois Resources

Who can register to vote in Illinois

To register to vote in Illinois, you must:
– be a U.S. citizen
– be a resident of Illinois and of your election precinct for at least 30 days before the next election
– be at least 18 years old on or before the next general or consolidated election
– not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of conviction of any crime
– not claim the right to vote anywhere else

Pre-registration

You can pre-register to vote in Illinois if you if you will turn 17 years old by the next primary election and 18 by the next general or consolidated election.

ID Requirements

Your State Election Official

Illinois State Board of Elections Chair
Ian K. Linnabary
www.elections.il.gov
(217) 782-4141 (Springfield office)
(312) 814-6440 (Chicago office)

You can also find your local election office here.

How to Vote in Illinois

Request an Absentee Ballot

Check Your Registration Status

Get Election Reminders

What Are My Voting Options?

No Upcoming Election and Deadline in Illinois

Vote Early In-Person

When can I vote early?

Who can vote early?

Where can I go to vote early?

What do I need to bring to vote early?

Additional Resources

Drop Off Your Ballot

Does my state allow absentee/mail ballot drop-off?

Who is eligible to vote absentee/by mail?

How do I request a ballot?

When are the deadlines to request and drop off a ballot?

Where can I drop it off?

How to track your ballot

Additional Information

Mail Your Ballot

Who can request a mail or absentee ballot?

How do I request a ballot?

What are the deadlines to request and mail a ballot?

How to track your ballot

Additional Information

Vote In-Person on Election Day

Where do I vote?

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

What do I need to bring to vote?

Additional Information

Additional Illinois Resources

Who can register to vote in Illinois

Pre-registration

ID Requirements

Your State Election Official

Overseas & Military Voting

Voting as a Student

Voting for People with Disabilities

Voting for People with Convictions