Election season is underway in Illinois, with ballots currently being collected for this year’s Nov. 5 general election. Voting in Illinois began on Sept. 26, and there are several options for residents to cast their ballot between now and Election Day.
Because navigating the bureaucracy that governs voting in Illinois can be confusing, Capitol News Illinois has launched this voter guide to help Illinoisans find information about voting – and to have your voices heard.
In Illinois, voting is managed mostly by local election authorities, although the Illinois State Board of Elections handles some functions – like online applications to vote and overseas voting.
Below, you’ll find a list of resources to help you learn how, when and where to vote, as well as how to register. We’re not endorsing any candidates or providing a comprehensive list of candidates in any given race. But we do hope to help you find any of the information you need to get registered and cast a ballot. If you have questions, comments or concerns, email electionguide@capitolnewsillinois.com.
- Key dates
- What’s happening this election?
- Who runs your election?
- Registering to vote
- Voting early and by mail
Key dates
- Aug. 7: First day to submit vote-by-mail application
- Sept. 26: Early voting begins, and election authorities begin mailing ballots
- Oct. 8: Last day to register via the normal process
- Oct. 9: Grace period registration begins (new in-person registrants must vote when they register)
- Oct. 20: Online voter registration closes
- Oct. 31: Last day to request vote-by-mail ballot
- Nov. 4: Last day for early voting
- Nov. 5: Election Day – results will be considered “provisional,” until official vote canvass is complete
- Nov. 12: Last day for voters who cast provisional ballots to submit registration materials
- Nov. 19: Last day mail ballots can be received (provided they were postmarked as of Election Day)
- Dec. 2: Proclamation of official results
- Dec. 17: Electoral college votes cast in Springfield
What’s happening this election?
Election news this year has been dominated by the presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will appear on Illinois ballots this year alongside independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., but so too will dozens of other candidates for offices ranging from local positions to congressional seats.
While there is no race for a U.S. senator this year in Illinois, all of the state’s representatives in the U.S. House are up for election.
All seats in the Illinois House are up for grabs as well. Democrats currently hold 78 of the state’s 118 seats in that chamber, good for supermajority status. In addition, 24 of the state’s 59 Senate seats will be up for election in 2024. Democrats hold 20 of the 24 seats that are up for election, and they hold 40 of the 59 seats in the Senate. That’s also good for a supermajority.
Voters throughout Illinois will also be casting ballots in judicial elections for circuit court judges and appellate court justices. Two state Supreme Court seats are also on the ballot, although both Republican Lisa Holder White and Democrat Joy Cunningham are running unopposed.
Three non-binding advisory referendums will also appear on the ballot. These include a question about whether state officials should require insurance to provide coverage for reproductive treatments like in vitro fertilization, whether the state should create a new tax on income over $1 million, and whether state officials should establish civil penalties for candidates who attempt to interfere with election workers’ duties.
Who runs your election?
In Illinois, elections are run by local election authorities, usually the county clerk. Chicago, Bloomington and other places have their own local boards of elections that handle varying levels of administration.
While we’re hoping this election guide can help you understand how to navigate the process, some of your questions are better answered by local election authorities.
Visit our local election guide below for a breakdown of local election authorities and how you can contact them.
Registering to vote
How do I register to vote?
In Illinois, you can register to vote in several ways: online and in person, and by mail.
To register online, visit the state’s online voter application tool at ova.elections.il.gov. Online registration closes Oct. 20.
To register in person, you must visit your local election authority or a facility that offers in-person registration. Most counties also offer alternate locations for voter registration, including secretary of state facilities, libraries and other government buildings.
You can also mail in a voter registration form to your local election authority. That mail must be postmarked by the end of normal registration for the election you’re voting in. For the 2024 general election, that means it must be postmarked by Oct. 8.
For a breakdown of county-level information, check out our local election guide.
The standard in-person registration process runs through Oct. 8.
When do I need to register to vote?
While Illinois allows voters to register at any time up to and including on Election Day, a “grace period” process begins on Oct. 9. If you register during this period, you must also vote at the same time you register.
Grace period registration must be done in person at a location designated by the county or election authority.
Illinois also offers same-day registration on Election Day, where voters can register and vote at the same facility.
If there are issues, such as someone forgetting an ID after they have registered by mail, voters may be asked to cast a “provisional” ballot, which is identical to a regular ballot. Those ballots won’t be counted until the issue is resolved, which may take additional trips to the local election authority’s offices.
What documents do you need to register to vote?
To register online, you must provide all four of the following:
- Your Illinois driver’s license or state ID number
- The date the license or ID was issued
- The last four digits of your social security number
- Your birth date
To register in person or by mail, you must provide two forms of ID, one of which must show your current address. Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Passport
- Military ID
- Driver’s license or state ID
- College, university, school or work ID
- Vehicle registration card
- Lease or mortgage
- Credit card
- Social Security card
- Medicare or Medicaid card
- Insurance card
- LINK card
- FOID card
- Official mail such as bills, school report cards, bank statements, pay stubs, utility or medical bills, or official mail from a government agency
If you register by mail, you can provide photocopies of identification documents. If you do not, you must vote in person and provide documentation then.
How do I register to vote if I’m in the military or if I’m overseas?
The Illinois State Board of Elections maintains a separate website at move.elections.il.gov to cater to military and overseas voters. To create an account in this system, you need to provide your Illinois driver’s license or state ID number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
What to do if you move before an election?
If you moved more than 30 days before the election, you would need to re-register at your new address. You can do that through the standard registration process.
If you moved less than 30 days before the election, you may vote at your previous address.
If you moved out of your county less than a month prior to the election, but still live in the state, you may update your registration using the “grace period” voting process or you may vote in your old polling place after completing an affidavit.
Where do I register if I’m a student living at a college or university?
In Illinois, if you’re a student living at or near a college where you’re studying, you have two choices. You can register to vote at your current address, such as a college dorm. You can also register at your home address and vote in person or with a vote-by-mail ballot.
If you’re an out-of-state student, you may register in person or by mail in Illinois through the standard registration methods.
Most universities and colleges have resources for students interested in voting, so check with your student affairs or other appropriate office to learn more.
Voting early and by mail
How to get a vote-by-mail ballot?
Each election jurisdiction handles its own vote-by-mail procedure. Most have an online or downloadable application form. You can also fill out a paper form in most places by visiting the election administrator’s office – usually the county clerk.
The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 31. If you haven’t requested a mail-in ballot by that day, you will have to vote in person. You can do so on most days up to and including Election Day.
Can a ballot be automatically mailed to me?
Since 2022, election authorities in Illinois have maintained permanent vote-by-mail request lists. Sometimes it’s called a continuing vote-by-mail list. You can request to be added to this list through your local election authority.
What to do with a vote-by-mail ballot
Vote-by-mail ballots must be mailed after Sept. 26 and must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 5.
Ballots are sent with prepaid envelopes, and you can submit them by putting them in any post office mailbox. Voters can also hand deliver a vote-by-mail ballot to their local election authority.
Many counties also offer drop boxes for mail-in ballots. Some offer one at a central location, like the county clerk’s office, while others offer dozens of drop box locations.
How to vote early in person
Illinois has 40 days of voting before Election Day. Beginning on Sept. 26, most Illinoisans can vote at their local election authority’s office. In Chicago, people may start voting on Oct. 3. Voters in suburban Cook County can start voting on Oct. 9.
On Oct. 21, early voting expands so that voters in most counties can vote at locations other than the election authority’s office.
If you’re not registered to vote, you can register at early voting locations. If you register to vote after Oct. 9, you must also vote at the same time.
Where do I go to vote early?
The state board of elections maintains a list of nearly all early voting locations and their hours. Early voting locations vary based on date, with some open earlier in the election process and others only open closer to Election Day, so check the hours of a location before going. We’ve also created the searchable table below to help you find early voting locations.
Can I vote in person even if I received a mail-in ballot?
If you applied for a mail-in ballot but didn’t receive it, you may vote in person by filling out an affidavit when you vote. Just tell an election judge about your situation and they’ll walk you through the process.
If you did receive a mail-in ballot but would prefer to vote in person, bring the ballot with you and an election official will “cancel” or invalidate your mail-in ballot and you can vote as normal.
If you don’t have the ballot, you can still vote in person by casting a provisional ballot.
How to vote if you’re in a nursing home, homebound or in a hospital?
Federally operated facilities, licensed nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other state-licensed long-term care facilities are required to coordinate with local election authorities to offer on-site voting in the days leading up to Election Day.
Voters in health care facilities may also request a vote-by-mail ballot up to five days before the election, October 31 for this year’s election.
If you personally were admitted to a hospital or other health care facility less than 14 days before the election, you may obtain an “Application for Ballot for Qualified Voter Admitted to Hospital, Nursing Home or Rehabilitation Center.” If you and your doctor fill out this form and return it to the relevant local election authority, a relative or registered voter may take it to the election office, obtain an absentee ballot, take it to you and return it on your behalf.
Voting on Election Day
When to vote on Election Day
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 5. If you’re in line by 7 p.m., you’re guaranteed the chance to vote on Election Day if you’re still in line when polls close.
Where to vote on Election Day
On Election Day, where you vote depends on where you live. In some jurisdictions, all voting locations are open to all voters. In others, you can only vote at your assigned precinct or at a central “vote center.”
In large jurisdictions, like Chicago, you may be able to go to one of several vote centers. In smaller jurisdictions, there is only one vote center, and it is often located at a county clerk’s office.
The State Board of Elections maintains a lookup tool that will tell you the polling place for a given address.
It’s Election Day, but I forgot to register. How can I vote?
You can register to vote on Election Day at the location where you vote, but you must provide two forms of identification, one of which has your current address – the same requirements as regular registration.
What is a provisional ballot?
If there is a question about your voter registration status, you may be given a provisional ballot. This is a ballot that you fill out as normal but is set aside and not counted until the question about your voting status has been resolved.
If you’re given a provisional ballot, you’ll have seven days to go to the office of your local election authority to resolve the issue.
If you’re given a provisional ballot, an election judge should explain to you what steps you need to take to ensure your vote is counted.
Do I need to show my ID to vote?
In Illinois, you usually don’t need to show an ID to vote. There are a few cases where a state ID or driver’s license might be necessary, so it is a good idea to bring one with you, if you have one.
If your signature doesn’t appear to match voting records, you may be asked to prove your identity. This is usually done by showing a driver’s license or state ID. If you don’t have a license or ID with you, you’ll be given a provisional ballot and be asked to provide identification on another day.
Another reason you might be asked to show your ID is if your voter registration status has been marked as “inactive.” This may happen for a variety of reasons, including if you haven’t voted in a recent election. You can often reactivate your registration status by showing a driver’s license or state ID with your current address.
What is curbside voting?
If you have a permanent or temporary disability that prevents you from leaving a vehicle or entering a polling place, you may be able to request “curbside voting,” where election judges come outside and administer your vote. You must request this accommodation from your local election authority at least one day prior to voting.
What should I do if I have issues with my election authority or a poll worker?
If you’re turned away by an election judge or other poll worker or experience issues in voting or registering to vote, you can contact an official at your local election authority. They may be able to help you resolve the issue.
If you think something more serious has happened, like voter intimidation, fraud or a breach of someone’s civil rights, there are a few other organizations to consider contacting.
The nonpartisan Election Protection coalition operates several hotlines for voters. Its English hotline, 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) is administered by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. It also has hotlines in Spanish, Arabic and several Asian languages.
If you’d like to file a complaint because you believe that someone committed a crime like voter fraud or voter intimidation, you should file a complaint with the State’s Attorney in the county where the crime occurred.
If you believe someone violated the state election code, you can also file a complaint with the Illinois State Board of Elections. ISBE complaints should be delivered in person or by mail to 69 W. Washington St., Suite LL08, Chicago, IL, 60602.
You can also send us an email detailing any issues at electionguide@capitolnewsillinois.com and we can try to get to the bottom of it as well.
Other election FAQs
What is my election jurisdiction?
About three-quarters of Illinoisans live in an area where elections are overseen by a county clerk. These are local elected officials that often also oversee vital records like birth certificates and other county-level administration.
The other quarter of Illinoisans live in an area that has an election commission. The cities with election commissions are Chicago, Rockford, Bloomington, Galesburg, Danville and East St. Louis. Peoria County also has a county-level election commission.
For more information about your election administrator, including links to local registration pages or how to find your polling place, visit CNI’s guide to local election authorities.
What is an election judge and how are they selected?
Election judges are local residents paid by an election authority to help run Election Day operations. Large cities can employ thousands of election judges for each election.
These officials are temporarily appointed by the county clerk. They must be a citizen who lives in the county where they’re working and must not be a candidate.
Election judges open and close the polls, pass out ballots, answer procedural questions from voters, assist illiterate and disabled voters, conduct vote tallying and certify the results from their precinct.
The local election authority selects judges from lists of candidates of the two leading political parties in their jurisdiction. This process is usually done several months before an election.
At least one judge from each party in each precinct must have received training about the job within six months of the election.
Where elections are overseen by a county clerk, the party that cast more votes for their party’s candidate for governor in a particular precinct – averaged over the past three elections – sends three judges to that precinct and the minority party sends two judges. For cities with a board of election commissioners, the two leading political parties alternate which party sends three judges, and which sends two. One party has a majority in even-numbered precincts while the other in odd-numbered precincts.
What is a poll watcher?
Poll watchers are representatives of a political party, civic organization or a candidate. Poll watchers are sometimes referred to as challengers, observers or checkers. They are allowed to verify that ballot boxes are empty before the first ballot is cast, watch election judges distribute ballots, challenge an individual’s right to vote and observe poll counting.
Poll watchers must have a credential issued by the relevant local election authority or state board of elections. They must also follow the same rules as everyone else: no campaigning within 100 feet of a voting place.
Election officials put a restriction on the number of poll watchers allowed in each precinct at a given time. For general elections, like this November’s, each candidate appearing on the local ballot is allowed to appoint two poll watchers per precinct, each established political party is allowed two poll watchers and other nonpartisan civic organizations that work on issues related to elections are allowed one poll watcher. In primary elections, political parties are allowed one poll watcher per precinct, not two.
How are ballots counted?
In Illinois, the vast majority of voters live in an area that uses hand-marked paper ballots or ballot marking devices – computers that print out a filled-in ballot that is then used for counting.
Four counties – Rock Island, Knox, Saline and Pope – use either hand-marked ballots or “direct recording electronic” systems which record votes electronically and print out a filled-in ballot only for auditing purposes.
All Illinois counties, except for the four mentioned above, then feed ballots into an optical scanner that tabulates the results of the election.
After election day, ISBE works with local election authorities to perform an audit of the results by retabulating the results for 5% of precincts and 5% of the machines used for early voting. Once an error-free audit is complete and any errors have been addressed, the state board certifies the results of the election.
Who funds candidates’ campaigns?
Campaign funding comes from a variety of sources, including political parties, individual donors, corporations, professional associations and labor unions among others. In the past several elections, billionaire megadonors have played an increasing role in state elections.
For federal candidates, you can learn more about who has made donations to candidates from the Federal Election Commission. They publish campaign finance data for all federal elections.
You can also visit Open Secrets, an independent nonprofit organization that conducts research on federal elections, conflicts of interest and lobbying activities. They maintain several online tools that can be easier to work with than the FEC’s datasets.
For state and local elections, the Illinois State Board of Elections publishes campaign disclosure data, including spending and fundraising reports for each candidate political committee in the state.
The nonpartisan advocacy organization Reform for Illinois also maintains a website that republishes and organizes state-level data that is easier to navigate than the state’s website. The organization does lobby lawmakers on issues related to election administration and ethics.
What is a ‘retention election’ in Illinois?
Judges in Illinois are elected in a way unlike other offices. Supreme Court and appellate court judges are elected in partisan elections to serve 10-year terms. Circuit judges are elected to six-year terms.
At the end of their term, judges in Illinois must run for retention, a special type of election where they run unopposed and must receive a 60 percent “yes” vote to stay in office.
Associate judges at the circuit court level are appointed to four-year terms by elected judges and don’t run for election. They are like circuit judges, but they typically cannot hear felony cases.
What is the electoral college?
The electoral college is a system for presidential elections outlined in the U.S. Constitution where instead of electing a president by popular vote, state’s instead award several “electoral college” votes equal to the number of senators and congresspeople representing that state.
In all but two states – Nebraska and Maine – the winner of the popular vote in that state earns all the votes from that state. Illinois currently has 19 electoral votes. A candidate for president must win 270 electoral college votes to secure the presidency.
These votes are formally cast by “electors” at a ceremony in Springfield that will be held on Dec. 17 this year.
Donald Trump won the electoral college vote but lost the national popular vote in 2016. George W. Bush also won the election despite losing the popular vote in 2000. This also happened in 1888, 1876 and 1824.
The state of Illinois is party to an interstate agreement, the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, in which states agree to award all electoral college votes from that state to the winner of the national popular vote. This agreement is not active, as it would require entry from states with a combined 270 electoral votes to go into effect. Its constitutionality is also an open legal question.
Who’s running this year?
If you’re curious what will appear on your ballot, Illinois election authorities provide sample ballots to the public. Some issue one countywide ballot while others use interactive tools to generate a ballot for your address.
Check out our local election guide for more information about where to find a sample ballot. If you don’t see one linked in our guide, call your county clerk or board of elections.
The nonprofit, nonpartisan website Ballotpedia also maintains a tool that allows users to look up sample ballots for a given address. The tool asks for the user’s email address, but providing it is optional.
Ballotpedia also maintains one of the most comprehensive encyclopedia-style databases about candidates and ballot questions in the country. Their page for Illinois’ 2024 elections contains information about most candidates in the state.
About this guide
This guide was assembled by Capitol News Illinois reporter Andrew Adams. It is based on records obtained from the Illinois State Board of Elections and interviews conducted with election officials at the state and local level.
If you see something in this guide that is incorrect, reach out and we’ll update it!
Email us at electionguide@capitolnewsillinois.com with questions or to alert the team to a factual error on the page.
We may update this guide throughout the election if information changes.
Capitol News Illinois recommends the tools linked in this guide but does not guarantee their accuracy. They go through verification processes that CNI does not control and has no special knowledge of. The best source for up-to-date information about elections in your area is your local election authority.
What is Capitol News Illinois?
CNI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government news coverage to hundreds of newspapers, radio and TV stations in and around Illinois.
We aim to provide credible and unbiased coverage of state government and public policy. You can learn more about our mission here.
Our work is funded primarily by grants from the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association. You can see our donor transparency and ethics policies on our website.
