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How to register to vote in Illinois

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These guides are researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a non-partisan 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. The information in these guides originates from official state sources and is reviewed by state election offices. 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.

What are key deadlines for the November 2026 election?

Registration deadlines

Absentee ballot deadlines

Voting deadlines

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.

Registration Top Actions

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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.

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 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 at least one week before the registration 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.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

Illinois does offer in person registration on Election Day.
Watch this video about election day registration from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

Can I submit voter registration forms in person?

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

Can I register to vote before I turn 18?

You can register to vote in Illinois before you turn 18 if you:
  • are at least 16 years old
  • are a United States citizen
  • are a resident of Illinois and of your election precinct at least 30 days before the next election
  • are not serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction
  • do not claim the right to vote anywhere else

If you are at least 16 years old, you may register online. If you are at least 17 years old and will be 18 years old by the next general or consolidated election, you may register online, by mail, or in person.
You must be at least 18 years old to vote, except that you may vote in a caucus, general primary election, or consolidated primary election if you are 17 years old and will be 18 years old by the corresponding general or consolidated election.

Can I complete a voter registration application in person before I turn 18?

Yes, you can learn more about registering to vote in person on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

You must be at least 17 years old and you must be 18 on or before the next General or Consolidated Election to submit a voter registration application in person in Illinois. You can complete a voter registration application in person at any of the following public agencies in Illinois:
  • County Clerk's Office
  • schools
  • public libraries

You can find a full list of locations where voter registration is available on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

Can I submit a voter registration application online before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register online on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

To register using the Illinois online voter registration system, you are required to provide the last four digits of your Social Security number and ONE of the following ID numbers with its expiration date:
  • Illinois driver's license
  • 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.

Can I submit a voter registration application by mail before I turn 18?

Yes, you can register to vote by mail using this form.

You must be at least 17 years old and you must be 18 on or before the next General or Consolidated Election to submit a voter registration application by mail in Illinois. When submitting your application by mail in Illinois, you are required to provide your Illinois driver’s license number, Illinois Secretary of State ID card number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number, if you have one. If you have not been issued any of these numbers, check the box that indicates you do not have an ID number.

If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and you do not include an ID number on your mail-in application, you must submit with your form a copy of ONE of the following forms of ID:
  • current and valid photo identification
  • current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and address

If you do not include a copy of your ID, you will be required to provide identification when voting for the first time.

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.

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.

How do I contact my state election office?