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Nov 3
Illinois General Election

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This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.

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Registration Summary

Illinois offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Illinois by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election authority. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.

Voting Summary

Illinois allows any voter to request a ballot by mail. You can also vote in person. Illinois offers early voting.

19 days to Election Day!


Register to Vote

Check that you're registered to vote on Illinois's website.
If you’re not registered:

How can I check the status of my mail ballot?

You may be able to check the status of your mail ballot online, depending on where you live. Some local election offices offer an online ballot-tracking tool. Visit your local election office website to see if you can track your mail online.

How do election officials keep voting secure?

Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.

Visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election authority to learn about opportunities in your area.

How do I vote in person?

Where can I vote on Election Day?

You can look up where to vote on Illinois's site.

Can I vote early?

  • Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
  • Learn more about voting early in Illinois.
  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Illinois’s site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

If you've voted in Illinois before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide your driver's license number, state ID number, last 4 digits of your Social Security number, or a copy of a current ID or government document that shows your name and address when you registered, you'll need to provide one of these when you vote:
  • copy of a current and valid photo identification
  • copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student ID AND either a residential contract/lease or any postmarked mail delivered to your current residence address, or other government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. After voting provisionally, you will be told how to submit additional proof of registration to the election authority. The additional information must be received by your election authority no later than the close of business on the seventh day following the election.

Can I register to vote online?

  • Illinois offers online voter registration.
  • To register online in Illinois, you are required to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number and ONE of the following ID numbers with its issuance date: Illinois driver's license or Illinois state ID number. If you don’t have an Illinois-issued ID or a Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail or in person.
Watch this video about online voter registration from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Can I vote early?

Yes, Illinois offers early voting.
  • You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.

When can I vote early?

Where can I vote early?

  • Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Illinois's site to find where to vote early.

What do I need to bring?

If you've voted in Illinois before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide your driver's license number, state ID number, last 4 digits of your Social Security number, or a copy of a current ID or government document that shows your name and address when you registered, you'll need to provide one of these when you vote:
  • copy of a current and valid photo identification
  • copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student ID AND either a residential contract/lease or any postmarked mail delivered to your current residence address, or other government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. After voting provisionally, you will be told how to submit additional proof of registration to the election authority. The additional information must be received by your election authority no later than the close of business on the seventh day following the election.

Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?

Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Illinois voter registration form.


Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.

Here's some advice to complete the National Voter Registration Form:


Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Illinois, you must provide ONE of the following forms of identification:
  • Illinois driver's license number
  • Illinois ID card number
  • last four digits of your Social Security number

If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form.

Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Illinois partisan primary elections. If you are an unaffiliated voter, you are allowed to publicly choose the party ballot you wish to vote on primary election day.

Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.


If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have been issued one, on your application. If you have not been issued an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
  • You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by mail ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
  • Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election authority.

If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.

Watch this video about by mail registration from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

How do I vote by mail?

In Illinois, any registered voter can request to receive a ballot by mail. Download your mail ballot form. We recommend you request your mail ballot at least two weeks before the Oct 29 deadline to make sure you have time to receive and cast your ballot before the election.

What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?

If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election authority.

How do I return my ballot?

  • Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
  • You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
  • Contact your local election authority for more information about where to return your ballot in person.
  • If you choose to return your ballot through the mail, be sure to mail your ballot at least one week before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.

What do I need to do if I’ve moved?

What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Yes, you can register at your local election authority on Election Day.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

Watch this video about in person registration from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

What are key deadlines for this election?

Registration deadlines

Absentee ballot deadlines

Voting deadlines

Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?

If you've voted in Illinois before, you don't need to provide ID to vote.

If you're a first-time voter who registered by mail and didn't provide your driver's license number, state ID number, last 4 digits of your Social Security number, or a copy of a current ID or government document that shows your name and address when you registered, you'll need to provide one of these when you vote:
  • copy of a current and valid photo identification
  • copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, student ID AND either a residential contract/lease or any postmarked mail delivered to your current residence address, or other government document that shows your name and address

Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. After voting provisionally, you will be told how to submit additional proof of registration to the election authority. The additional information must be received by your election authority no later than the close of business on the seventh day following the election.

How do I get help registering to vote?

TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.

Who can register to vote?

To register in Illinois you must:
  • be a United States citizen
  • be a resident of Illinois and of your election precinct at least 30 days before the next election
  • be 18 years old to vote in a Consolidated or General Election or 17 years old to vote in a Consolidated Primary or General Primary Election if you will be 18 by the time of the Consolidated or General 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

Watch this video about who can register to vote from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?

Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election authority for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
  1. Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election authority may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
  2. Send the application to your local election authority.
  3. It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
  4. Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
  5. States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election authority.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election authority first. Then:
  • You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election authority.
  • If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Illinois. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov

How can I check my voter registration status?

You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Illinois's voter registration lookup tool.

How do I contact my state election office?

Which election office should I contact?

  • In Illinois, your local election authority runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
  • The State Board of Elections oversees elections and election administration in Illinois. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.

How do I contact my local election office?

Visit your state’s site to find your local election authority.