Voting Requirements

In order to register to vote, you must be:
  • A US Citizen
  • 18 years or older for a Consolidated/General election or 17 to vote in a consolidated or general primary, if you’ll be 18 by the general election
  • A resident of the precinct for at least 30 days prior to Election Day. 

Online Registration

Online registration must be completed at least 16 days prior to the election. You can register online at ova.elections.il.gov with your full IL driver’s license or state ID card and the date it was issued, and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

In Person Registration

Regular registration is open year-round, except the 27-day period prior to an election, and the 2 days after an election. You can register at your county clerk’s office, city, village, or township offices, and oftentimes in community spaces such as schools and libraries. It’s not uncommon for places like churches or schools to host voter registration drives. Be sure to bring two forms of ID, with at least one with your address on it. You can also mail an application to your election office. 

Grace Period Registration

Grace Period registration extends the regular registration deadline. You must vote immediately after registering. Traditional registration closes 28 days before an election, but the grace period extends that deadline to Election Day. Here in Illinois, this registration is only available at certain in-person locations: the office of the election authority, a permanent polling place, early voting sites beginning 15 days prior to the elections, some polling places on Election Day, and any other specifically designated locations. Election Day Registration is available, at the home precinct only.