Registration
Illinois registration options include Online, By Mail, and In Person.
State Voting Guide
Illinois Voting Guide
Use this Illinois voting guide to check registration options, voter ID requirements, polling hours, absentee voting, eligibility rules, and official resources.
Last reviewed: August 14, 2026. Generated from structured state voting models and official-source links.
At a Glance
Illinois voting quick facts
Voter ID
Illinois is listed as No document required to vote.
Poll Hours
Polling places are generally open 6:00 AM-7:00 PM.
Absentee and Mail Voting
Anyone may request a vote by mail ballot without specifying any reason for their absence on Election Day.
Felony Voting Rights
In Illinois, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2019, SB 2090 facilitated voting access in large-county jails, and HB 2541 required civics programs for incarcerated...
Voter Lookup
Lookup tools may help with check your voter registration status, check where you are registered to vote, check your political party preference, and 4 more.
Register
Illinois voter registration options
Illinois voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted. Same-day registration may also be available where noted.
Online Available
Online registration deadline is 16 days before Election Day
- Online registration must be completed 16 days before Election Day.
By Mail Available
Under federal law, citizens may apply to register to vote by mailing in an application. Mail or deliver this application to your County Clerk or Board of Election Comissioners no later than 28 days before the next election.
- Mail registration must meet the state deadline 28 days before Election Day.
In Person Available
Qualified individuals may register to vote at the polling place during on Election Day. “Grace period registration” is from the 27th day prior to the election through Election Day. 10 ILCS 5/5-50
- In-person registration may be completed on Election Day.
same day registration Available
Qualified individuals may register to vote at the polling place during on Election Day. “Grace period registration” is from the 27th day prior to the election through Election Day. 10 ILCS 5/5-50
- Same-day registration is available through Election Day where permitted.
military overseas Available
The MOVE site will enable you to set up a MOVE account to register to vote and request vote by mail ballots for upcoming Federal Elections.
national_form
The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.
registration_status
Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site
Identification
Illinois voter ID laws
Illinois voter ID rule: No document required to vote.
No document required to vote
Illinois voter ID rule: No document required to vote.
Code: 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/17-10 and 10 Ill. Comp. Stat. 5/18A-5
Accepted forms of ID
- Illinois generally does not require registered voters to present identification when voting in person.
If you do not have ID
- Most Illinois voters are not required to present identification to vote.
- If identification is required for a first-time voter under federal law and the voter cannot provide it, the voter may be required to vote provisionally until eligibility is verified.
Polling Places
Illinois poll hours
Polling places in Illinois are generally open 6:00 AM-7:00 PM.
6:00 AM-7:00 PM
The polls at the election will be open at 6:00 o'clock A.M. and will continue to be open until 7:00 o'clock P.M. of that day.
Absentee Voting
Illinois absentee and mail voting
Anyone may request a vote by mail ballot without specifying any reason for their absence on Election Day.
Absentee Voting In Illinois
Anyone may request a vote by mail ballot without specifying any reason for their absence on Election Day.
Absentee Voting Eligibility
- Any qualified elector of the State of Illinois who is properly registered to vote may apply for a vote by mail ballot.
- Any registered or non-registered member of the United States Armed Forces while on active duty, members of the Merchant Marines, and/or U.S. Government employee serving outside the U.S., as well as his/her spouse and dependent(s)* who...
- Any registered and non-registered citizen of the United States, temporarily out of the country, and his/her spouse and dependent(s) of voting age when residing with or accompanying him/her, who maintain a precinct residence in a county in...
- Any State or federal employee (and their spouse) 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, may retain his/her voting rights in that...
Request an absentee ballot
- In Person: Not more than 90 days nor less than 1 day prior to the election.
- By Mail inside the US: Not more than 90 days or less than 5 days prior to the election.
- By Mail outside the US: Not less than 30 days prior to the election to receive full ballot or Less than 30 days prior to the election, but more than 10 days prior to the election to receive a Federal Ballot only.
Absentee ballot return
- A voter may authorize any person to return their ballot to the election authority, as long as the voter has signed the affidavit on the ballot envelope affirming that authorization was given to deliver the ballot.
Ways to Vote
Illinois voting options
Voting options available in Illinois.
Voting In Person at the Polls
Polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Voters wishing to cast their ballot on Election Day can do so in their designated polling place, or at a vote center designated by their election authority.
Voting By Mail
Any qualified elector of the State of Illinois who is properly registered to vote may apply for a vote by mail ballot. Voting by mail is an option for voters to cast their ballot prior to Election Day. Voters can request a vote by mail ballot through the mail or in person.
Early Voting
Registered voters may cast a ballot prior to Election Day without having to provide a reason for wanting to vote early.
Eligibility
Illinois voter eligibility
Under federal law, if you move within 30 days of a presidential election, you are allowed to vote for President and Vice President in your former state of residence, either in person or by absentee ballot.
Age requirements
Voting age: You can vote in a general primary if you are at least 17 and will be 18 as of the following general election.
Registration age: To register, you must be at least 18 by Election Day.
To register to vote in the State of Illinois, an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a United States Citizen
- Be at least 18 years of age by Election Day;
- Be a resident of the precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
- Not be convicted and in jail
- Not claim the right to vote anywhere else
Voting Rights
Illinois felony conviction voting rights
In Illinois, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2019, SB 2090 facilitated voting access in large-county jails, and HB 2541 required civics programs for incarcerated individuals.
Lost Only While Incarcerated; Automatic Restoration After Release
In Illinois, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2019, SB 2090 facilitated voting access in large-county jails, and HB 2541 required civics programs for incarcerated individuals.
Citation: Ill. Const. Art. III, § 2; 730 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 5/5-5-5, 5/3-14-1
Recent actions
- 2019 Enacted SB 2090 facilitating voting access in large-county jails; also enacted HB 2541 requiring civics programs for incarcerated individuals.
Work and Voting
Illinois time off for voting
Every employee is entitled, after giving notice, to two hours off work, provided that the employee's working hours begin less than 2 hours after the opening of the polls and end less than 2 hours before the closing of the polls.
Time off status: Yes
Every employee is entitled, after giving notice, to two hours off work, provided that the employee's working hours begin less than 2 hours after the opening of the polls and end less than 2 hours before the closing of the polls.
Illinois - TIME OFF FOR VOTING.
Every employee is entitled, after giving notice, to two hours off work, provided that the employee's working hours begin less than 2 hours after the opening of the polls and end less than 2 hours before the closing of the polls.
Lookup
Illinois voter information lookup
Check your Voter Registration Status.
Voter Information Lookup
Use the lookup tool to check your voter registration status, check where you are registered to vote, check your political party preference, check your polling place location, and 3 more.
Moving
Illinois moving and student voting
If you moved within 27 days of the election in the same precinct you can vote a full ballot by signing an affidavit.
Movers/college students Voting
If you moved within 27 days of the election in the same precinct you can vote a full ballot by signing an affidavit.
If I move,can I still vote?
- If you moved within 27 days of the election in the same precinct you can vote a full ballot by signing an affidavit.
- If you moved more than 30 days before the election within the same election jurisdiction, but outside your precinct, and did not transfer your registration, you my grace- period update your registration through Election Day and then...
- If you moved within 30 days before the election outside of your precinct, but you still live in the State, and did not transfer your registration, you may grace-period update your registration to your new address through Election Day and...
- If you moved more than 30 days before the election out of your county or municipality under a board of election commissioners and did not transfer your registration, you can only vote by re-registering from your new address.
College Student
- At School. Students can establish residency in Illinois if they have a present intention to remain at their Illinois school address for the time being, and they intend to make it their principal home. Any other interpretation of the...
Sources
Illinois official voting resources
Questions
Common Illinois questions
Can I register to vote online in Illinois?
Illinois lists online voter registration as available. Online registration deadline is 16 days before Election Day
What voter ID rule does Illinois use?
Illinois is listed as No document required to vote. Review the accepted ID forms and voter-without-ID procedures before voting.
What time do polls open in Illinois?
Polling places in Illinois are generally open 6:00 AM-7:00 PM. Confirm your assigned polling place before Election Day.
Where can I check my Illinois voter registration or polling place?
The Illinois voter lookup section lists tools for check your voter registration status, check where you are registered to vote, check your political party preference, check your polling place location, and 3 more.
Can people with felony convictions vote in Illinois?
In Illinois, people with felony convictions lose voting rights only while incarcerated and receive automatic restoration after release. In 2019, SB 2090 facilitated voting access in large-county jails, and HB 2541 required civics programs for incarcerated individuals.