Who carries out elections in the state of Illinois?
Elections are administered locally by the state’s 108 election authorities. These are the county clerks in 101 counties, one county election commissions and 6 municipal election commissions. These local authorities are a very important part of Illinois’ election process. As part of their many responsibilities they handle local voter registration programs, train election judges, select polling places, get ballots printed, oversee Election Day activities, and supervise the vote count at the local level.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections
Can I be an election judge?
Registered voters can apply to be an election judge with their local election authority. Compensation differs by region.
In addition, Illinois high school students (ILCS 5/13-4) may serve as election judges. Qualifications include:
- Be a U.S. citizen by the time of the election
- Be a high school junior or senior in good standing enrolled in a public or private secondary school
- Maintain at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Successfully complete an election judge training course conducted by the Clerk's office
- Have written approval by your high school principal
- Have written approval from a parent or legal guardian
Applications for the Illinois Student Judge Program can be secured through your local election authority.
What are the requirements to be able to register to vote in the state of Illinois?
To be eligible to register to vote in the state of Illinois:
- You must be a United States Citizen
- You must be 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election and turn 18 on or before the date of the General or Consolidated Election
- You must live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day
- You must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction
- You may not claim the right to vote anywhere else
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections
How do new voters register to vote?
New voters can register online, with a mail in application or in person.
Individuals my also register to vote in person with their local election authorities or with an Illinois Deputy Registrar. Deputy registrars can be found at/include:
- County Clerk’s Office
- City and Village Offices
- Township Offices
- Precinct Captains
- Schools
- Public Libraries
- Military Recruitment Offices
- Some Labor Groups
- Some Civic Groups (League of Women Voters)
- Some Corporations
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections
What documents do I need to register to vote?
If you do not have a driver’s license, State Identification Card or social security number, you must provide (i) a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or (ii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter.
If you do not provide the information required above, then you will be required to provide election officials with either (i) or (ii) described above the first time you vote at a voting place or by absentee ballot.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections
I think I might already be registered. How can I be sure?
If you are not sure if you are already registered to vote, you may use the Illinois State Board of Elections Voter Registration Status Portal to check your status.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections
Under what circumstances would I have to re-register in Illinois?
- If you move.
- If you change your name.
- If you have not voted for several election cycles, your local election authorities may have assumed you moved. Be sure to check you status to make sure you are still registered.
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections
When do voters need to (and not need to) show ID in Illinois?
No ID is needed when:
- The voter is already registered at the voter’s current address and is voting in the correct precinct.
- Signature appears to match the voter signature on file.
- Election Judges do not challenge the person’s right to vote.
One (1) Form of ID with voter’s current address is needed when:
- Election Judges challenge the person’s right to vote.
- Voter submitted mail-in registration form that did not have Illinois identification/driver’s license number or Social Security number.
Two (2) Forms of ID are needed when:
- The voter is registering in person after the voter registration deadline, including in the voter's home precinct on Election Day.
- The voter is filing an address change in person after the voter registration deadline, including in the voter's home precinct on Election Day. One of these two IDs must list the voter’s current address.
What are acceptable forms of ID?
- Passport or Military ID
- Driver's License or State ID card
- College/University/School/Work ID
- Vehicle registration card
- Lease, mortgage or deed to home
- Credit or debit card
- Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid card
- Insurance card
- Civic, union or professional membership card
- LINK/Public Aid/Department of Human Services card
- Illinois FOID card
- First class mail addressed to voter. This includes: Bill, Transcript or Report Card from School, Bank Statement, Pay Stub or Pension Statement, Utility, Medical or Insurance Bill, Official mail from any government agency
Source: Cook County Clerk’s Office
I know someone serving overseas in the military. What about U.S. Citizens living overseas. Can they still register to vote?
There are several programs that allow those residing out of the country to register and vote on election day. You can find an overview of these programs on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
Can I become a Deputy Registrar and register people to vote?
The following may make application to their election authority to become deputy registrars:
- Chief librarian or their designee
- Principal or their designee of a high school, elementary school or vocational school
- President or their designee of a university, college, community college, academy or other institution of learning
- Officials or their designees of bona fide labor organizations
- Officials or their designees of bona fide state civic organizations as certified by the State Board of Elections
- The Director of Healthcare and Family Services or their designated employees
- Illinois Department of Employment Security Director or their designated employees
- President of any corporation as defined by the Business Corporation Act of 1983 or their designated employees
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections Deputy Registrar Guidelines
Can you vote if you have a felony conviction in Illinois?
The only people in Illinois who cannot vote because of their criminal record are people who:
- Are in prison or jail serving a sentence because of being convicted of any crime
- Are in an Adult Transition Center
- Are on furlough from prison or jail
- Are on work-release from prison or jail
You should be able to register and vote if you completed your sentence for a felony crime, if you are on probation or parole, if you have been arrested or charged with a crime but have NOT been convicted, or if you are in jail before your trial.
Source: 866 Our Vote
What if a person needs accommodations on election day due to a disability?
Polling places are required to be accessible to people with disabilities, but some polling places may be granted an exemption. If a polling place has been granted an exemption, you may contact your local election office ahead of time to request “curbside voting” so that you can vote from your vehicle.
Source: 866 Our Vote
What if a person has a disability or is not comfortable voting in English and needs someone’s help in order to vote. Can they get assistance at the polls?
Any voter who needs help voting has the right to get help, as long as the voter makes the choices on the ballot and the person helping just marks the choices made by the voter. A voter may choose anyone to assist them other than their employer or union representative. In many places, polling places are required to provide help in Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, and other languages.
Source: 866 Our Vote
Where can I find out more about Illinois youth’s voting habits and other indicators of civic health?
Where can my students research more about how our state governs elections and makes participation accessible and equitable?
WHERE CAN MY STUDENTS LEARN MORE ABOUT ACCESS TO THE BALLOT ISSUES IN ILLINOIS?
The Citizen Advocacy Center (CAC) recently hosted a webinar on Free and Fair Elections in Illinois During the Pandemic that provided an overview of election laws, procedures, and issues related to COVID-19. This one hour webinar hosted by the CAC high school interns can be used in the classroom to inform students about ballot access issues in the November elections.