Illinois Voting Requirements & Information
U.S. Vote Foundation’s Illinois Voting Requirements and Information directory informs you of Illinois voting rules and options. It focuses on Illinois-specific voting guidelines and information for all voters, including domestic, overseas, and military voters. Here you can find out about Illinois voter eligibility, voter ID requirements, registration, absentee and early voting options, ways to transmit voting documents and links to specific-Illinois voting tools. It's an all-in-one Illinois voting resource.
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
Illinois Federal and State Elections
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois Congressional Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- In-Person Request by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Postmarked by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Online by
Sun Mar 1, 2026 - Grace Period
A voter who registers or changes their address during this grace period must vote via "grace period voting."
From Wed Feb 18, 2026 to Tue Mar 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Online by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - Post Received by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Mon Mar 16, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Thu Feb 5, 2026 to Mon Mar 16, 2026
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois Gubernatorial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- In-Person Request by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Postmarked by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Online by
Sun Mar 1, 2026 - Grace Period
A voter who registers or changes their address during this grace period must vote via "grace period voting."
From Wed Feb 18, 2026 to Tue Mar 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Online by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - Post Received by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Mon Mar 16, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Thu Feb 5, 2026 to Mon Mar 16, 2026
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois State and Judicial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- In-Person Request by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Postmarked by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Online by
Sun Mar 1, 2026 - Grace Period
A voter who registers or changes their address during this grace period must vote via "grace period voting."
From Wed Feb 18, 2026 to Tue Mar 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Online by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - Post Received by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Mon Mar 16, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Thu Feb 5, 2026 to Mon Mar 16, 2026
General Information
Registration
You can register to vote or update your registration information:
- online
- by mail
- in person at your elections office
- at some public assistance offices and motor vehicle offices
- on Election Day - contact your local elections office to confirm locations where same day registration is available in your area
You must have resided in your precinct at least 30 days prior to the election in which you intend to vote.
Online registration is available until 16 days before the Election. Mail-in registration must be received 27 days before the Election.
Election Day Voting
Polling places are open from 6am until 7pm on Election Day.
Find my polling place
Early Voting
A registered voter may cast a ballot prior to Election Day at the office of the election authority or at an Early Voting Center. Contact your election office to inquire about early voting options in your area for specific elections.
Absentee Voting
Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot and vote by mail. You may now sign up to permanently vote by mail rather than request a ballot each election.
Please visit the US Vote Disability Voting Guide to see accommodations for the registration and voting process.
Eligibility Requirements
You are eligible to vote in Illinois if you:
- Are a U.S. citizen
- Are at least 18 years old by Election Day
- Live in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election
*You can vote vote in a Primary Election at the age of 17, if you will be 18 by the time of the General Election.
You are NOT eligible to vote in Illinois if:
- You are registered to vote in another state
- You are in prison or jail for a conviction of any kind. (Does not include pre-trial detention.)
Restorative Requirements
- If you have completed a felony prison sentence, even if you are still on parole or probation, then you are immediately eligible to register to vote.
You may preregister to vote in Illinois
- at the age 16
If you are a student, you are eligible to vote in Illinois if:
- You reside in Illinois but are attending college in another state
- You reside in another state but attend college in Illinois
Identification Requirements
Voter Registration
To register to vote in Illinois you should provide:
Last Four Digits of your Social Security Number
Your Illinois Driver's License or State non-driver ID Number
If you do not have any of these IDs, you can provide a copy of one of the following with your registration application:
Current and Valid Photo ID
Government Issued Document that shows your current name and address
Utility Bill
Government Check
Bank Statement
Paycheck that Shows your Current Name and Address
You can alternatively provide one of these documents when you vote to complete your registration. Two forms of identification with at least one showing your current residence address are needed when you register in-person.
Voting In-Person
If you registered to vote in Illinois, you may be required to present valid ID if you are voting for the first time or your registration is incomplete. You can use any ID from this list:
Lease or rent agreement
Paycheck that shows your Current Name and Address
Current and Valid Photo ID
Utility Bill
Bank Statement
Valid Student ID and Mail Addressed to your Residence
Government Check
Government Issued Document that shows your Current Name and Address
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Domestic Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |
State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered?
State Elections Website
Where is my Polling Place?
Can I Register to Vote Online?
Am I Registered?
Where are my Early Voting Locations?
Overseas / Military Voter Information
Where is my Ballot Drop Box?
State Voter Registration FAQ
Where is my Overseas or Military Ballot?
Upcoming Election Dates & Deadlines
Illinois Federal and State Elections
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois Congressional Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byFor applications received after February 17, 2026, and before March 9, 2026, from a citizen temporarily residing outside the U.S., the voter registration requirement is waived, and the applicant will be eligible for a federal ballot only.
Tue Feb 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byMon Mar 9, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois Gubernatorial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byFor applications received after February 17, 2026, and before March 9, 2026, from a citizen temporarily residing outside the U.S., the voter registration requirement is waived, and the applicant will be eligible for a federal ballot only.
Tue Feb 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byMon Mar 9, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois State and Judicial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byFor applications received after February 17, 2026, and before March 9, 2026, from a citizen temporarily residing outside the U.S., the voter registration requirement is waived, and the applicant will be eligible for a federal ballot only.
Tue Feb 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byMon Mar 9, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Eligibility Requirements
Overseas Voters
U.S. citizens living abroad have the right to vote as absentee voters, provided they are eligible to vote in their state. If you are living outside of the U.S. permanently, indefinitely, or temporarily, your voting rights stay with you, even if you never voted when you lived in the U.S. To vote from overseas:
- Complete and send an overseas voter registration/ballot request form to your election office in the U.S. This is one specific form that will register you as an overseas voter and request your absentee ballot – simultaneously.
Many states allow children who were born overseas, but never lived in the U.S., to use their U.S. parents’ last residence address to register.
Military Voters
Service members and their eligible family members living outside their voting jurisdiction (within or outside the U.S.) are able to vote as absentee voters.
- If you are a service member, or an eligible family member, there is a single form to file for both voter registration and ballot request. It is often called the “Federal Post Card Application” or the FPCA form. This form must be re-filed with your election office each time you change location.
To vote as a service member or eligible family member:
- Complete and send a voter registration/ballot request form “FPCA” to your election office in the U.S. It is the same form in all states.
Identification Requirements
Voting Overseas
U.S. citizens living overseas may register and request a ballot using the overseas voter registration/ballot request form. You will have the following identification options when completing the form:
U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
Option to Indicate that you do not have the Requested ID
Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
Voting Military
Service members and their dependents may register and request a ballot using the federal voter registration/ballot request form ("FPCA"). You will have the following identification options when completing the form:
U.S. State or Territory or District Issued ID
Option to Indicate that you do not have the Requested ID
Last 4 Digits of your Social Security Number
Voter Materials Transmission Options
Overseas Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |
Military Voter |
In-Person |
|
Fax |
|
Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voter Registration | |||||
| Absentee Ballot Request | |||||
| Blank Ballot To Voter | |||||
| Voted-Absentee Ballot Return |