Skip to Main Content

Voter Resources: Voter Registration in Illinois

This page offers quick links, resources and information about voting in IL. Everything from checking your voter status to researching election runners can be found here.

Voter Registration in Illinois

Deadlines

  • Voter registration deadlines are determined by the date of the election. Not sure if you're registered? Check here (link)
  • February 20, 2024 is the registration deadline for the 2024 primary election
  • October 6, 2024 is the deadline for in-person registration and postmark of mail-in registration for the general election.
  • Registration Guidelines (link)
  • Election Calendar (link)
  • Illinois allows grace period registration and voting at certain sites, ask your local site if you need one!


Eligibility

  • Age: 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
  • Formerly incarcerated individuals: voting rights restored upon release from prison.
  • Incarcerated individuals: You must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction.
  • Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Residence: You must live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
  • College students can either vote absentee in their home state or register to vote in IL.
  • Check to see if you are already registered (link).

Online registration

To use the online voter registration system you must have a current and valid driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver photo identification card issued by the State of Illinois.

Online registration form (link).

 

Mail-in registration

Refer to the links below for printable PDF forms in English and Spanish.

Choosing a political party:
Illinois does not register political parties.  In primary elections, voters request either a political party ballot or a non-partisan ballot with only public questions on it.  

Updating Registration      

To update registration after a move, name change, or change of political party affiliation, use the online voter registration form.

 

Cancelling Registration

To cancel a registration, voters must send a signed letter or a signed form to local election authorities.

Directory of Election Authorities (link).