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Information on Voting in Illinois

your vote matters

 

Election Day 2020: Tuesday November 3, 2020

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Illinois Deadlines
 

Last day to register in-person: October 6, 2020
Last day to register online: October 18, 2020

If you miss those deadlines:
 

You can register to vote in person on Election Day. Bring an ID and one piece of mail with your address. You must have lived at your address for 30 days to be eligible. 

Ways that you can vote:

  • Early voting: Start date is September 24, 2020
  • Absentee/mail voting: must be postmarked by November 3, 2020 and must be received by November 17, 2020
  • Voting by mail begins:  Military and Overseas- 45 days prior to the election; Everyone else- 40 days prior to the election

Research Your Vote

 

For non-partisan voting information visit: IllinoisVoterGuide.org. 

Commonly asked questions:

Do I need an ID to vote? No Illinois does not require an ID to vote.

Do I need an excuse to early vote or to vote by mail? No, Illinois does not require an excuse for absentee voting or early voting.

I am a convicted felon. Can I vote? In Illinois, if you are no longer in the custody of the Department of Corrections, you are allowed to vote.  Convicted Felons in the custody of the Department of Corrections are not allowed to vote.

I am not sure if I am registered to vote. How do I know? Visit this website and you can use the Voter Registration lookup to check and see if you are registered.

Where will I go on election day to vote? Go to the polling place lookup. 

How do I register to vote? Fill out the online Voter Registration Application.

How do I register to vote by mail? Visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

My son or daughter is 17 and will be 18 on or before Election Day. Can he/she register? Anyone age 17 who will turn 18 on or before November 3, 2020 can register to vote.

Who can vote?
 

To register in Illinois you must:

  • be a citizen of the United States;
  • be a resident of Illinois and of your election precinct at least 30 days before the next election;
  • be at least 18 years old on or before the next 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
     

Find more information on voting rights restoration here.