ILLINOIS
Election Information
Upcoming Elections
2008 General Election: 11/4/08
Voter Registration Information
The Lawyers’ Committee and its pro bono law firm partners have compiled comprehensive third-party voter registration guides for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These guides will help volunteers, organizers, and leaders navigate the complex rules that govern voter registration in each state.
Registration Deadlines
27 days before an election
Specific Deadlines:
- 2008 General Election: 10/7/08
Where to Obtain Registration Forms
- Register Online Now
- County Clerk’s office
- Board of Election’s office
- City and village offices
- Township offices
- Precinct Committeemen
- Some schools
- Some public libraries
- Some labor groups
- Some civic groups
- Some corporations
- Military recruitment offices
- Driver’s License Facilities
- Department of Healthcare and Family Services
- Department of Public Health offices
- Department of Human Services offices
- Download registration form
Absentee Voting
Absentee voting is allowed if the voter is:
- Going to be out of the county on Election Day
- An appointed election office or poll worker at a polling place other than his or her regular polling place
- Ill or has a disability preventing a trip to the polling place
- Unable to make it to the polling place due to religious reasons
- 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 a sequestered juror on a state or federal jury
- A member of a religious group, welfare agency or spouses and dependents who are officially attached to or assisting members of the armed forces and expect to be absent from the county in which they reside on Election Day
- A state or federal employees who had a voting residence in the precinct at the time he/she entered employment, but who now resides elsewhere due to state or federal employment
- Residing outside of the country not registered to vote but qualified to vote in a federal election (for federal office only)
- Confined in jail pending acquittal or conviction of a crime
- A member of the Armed Forces or a spouse or dependent of a member of the Armed forces
- A U.S. citizen living overseas who will be at least 18 years of age before the next General Election and whose last residence prior to going overseas was in IL
Rules and deadlines
- Absentee ballots can be found with the election authority and must be requested by mail at least five days before an election or in person at least one day before an election.
- Ballots must be returned to the election authority by mail or in person.
- Ballot must be received by Election Day.
Early Voting
- Yes, for all registered voters.
- Early voting begins the 22nd day before an election and ends the fifth day before an election at various locations.
- Voters 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.
Identification Requirements
At registration:
- Current and valid photo identification or
- A current utility bill,
- Bank statement,
- Government check,
- Paycheck,
- Other government document that shows the name and address of the elector
At polls, voter required to present ID if ID was not provided with voter registration.
Acceptable Forms of Identification include:
- Current and valid photo identification or
- A current utility bill,
- Bank statement,
- Government check,
- Paycheck,
- Other government document that shows the name and address of the elector
How to check registration
Contact your local election office
How to locate polling place
Contact your local election office
Information for felons
Voter is eligible to register upon completion of the sentence, including probation or parole.