You must be registered 27 days before election day to vote in Illinois. But registration means little if you don’t submit your vote on or before election day. There are a few methods you can use to vote, so find the one that works best for you! 

Know your rights! The State of Illinois law grants eligible employees up to two hours of paid leave for the purpose of voting in a general or special election within the State of Illinois if their working hours on the day of the election begin less than 2 hours after the opening of the polls and end less than 2 hours before the closing of the polls. For more information, click here.

Voting at the Polls ( Election Day Only) 

You can cast your vote in person at a designated polling place on election day. (Find your nearest polling place)

Each polling place must provide accessible parking and accommodations for individuals in wheelchairs and individuals with visual or hearing impairments. 

Illinois polls are open 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. 

What Do I Need to Bring to the Polls? 

You must provide a photo ID with your name and address. Any of the following forms of ID will work: 

• Valid Arizona driver license or valid Arizona non-operating identification card 

• Tribal enrollment card or other form of tribal identification

• Valid U.S. federal, state, or local government issued identification

If you can’t provide one of the above, you must provide two of the following: 

• Utility bill (dated within 90 days of the election day) - May be for electric, gas, water, solid waste, sewer, telephone, cell phone, or cable TV

• Bank or credit union statement dated within 90 days of the election day 

• Valid Arizona Vehicle Registration

• Indian Census Card

• Property tax statement (of your residence)

• Tribal Enrollment Card or other form of tribal identification

• Illinois vehicle insurance card

• Recorder's Certificate

• Valid U.S. federal, state, or local government issued identification, including a voter registration card issued by the County Recorder

• Any mailing to your address that is marked “Official Election Material”

If you cannot provide two items from the previous list, you must provide: 

• Any valid photo ID from the first list (in which the address does not reasonably match the precinct register), accompanied by a non-photo ID from the second list (in which the address does reasonably match the precinct register) 

• U.S. Passport without address and one valid item from the second list

• U.S. Military ID without address and one valid item from the second list

Early Voting

In-Person Early Voting

In Illinois, registered voters may cast a ballot prior to Election Day without having to provide a reason for wanting to vote early. The period for early voting begins the 40th day preceding an election and extends through the end of the day before Election Day. This ballot is cast by personal appearance at the office of the election authority or an early voting center. (Find an Early Voting Location).

Why do we have early voting? A major reason for early voting is to encourage greater participation in the election process. People who travel for business, work long hours, or are otherwise inconvenienced by the hours the polls are open on Election Day may find it easier to vote early. The votes cast during the early voting period will not be counted until after the polls close on Election Day.

Mail-in Ballot Early Voting

If you cannot make it to the polls on election day or want the convenience of not leaving your home, you can apply for a vote-by-mail ballot. Vote-by-mail applications can be submitted 90 days through 5 days before the election. If submitted by mail outside the U.S., an application must be made not less than 30 days before the election to receive a full ballot or less than 30 days before the election to receive a federal-only ballot. (Apply to Vote By Mail)

Voting by mail begins 45 days prior to the election for Military and individuals overseas and 40 days prior to each election for everyone else.

Voters can be added to a list of permanent vote-by-mail voters who receive an official vote-by-mail ballot for the general elections. This would allow voters to receive an official ballot for each general and primary election without having to apply each time. The election authority will notify qualified voters of this option or permanent vote by mail, which will include an application for permanent vote by mail.

If you are an eligible voter who will be traveling outside of the country on the day of the election, you can register for an absentee ballot on vote.org.

For more information about voting by mail, click here.

Practice Voting with a Sample Ballot

Practice makes perfect! Prepare for Election Day with a sample ballot. See which candidates you will have to choose from and do research so you can make informed decisions. 

Visit Ballotpedia and enter your address to obtain your Illinois sample ballot and start practicing your 2024 votes today!