In general, identification is not required to vote at the polls, although you will be required to verify your signature. However, there are individual circumstances that may require that identification be shown. In those cases, you must present a photo ID, and if the photo ID has an address, it must match the registration address. If a photo ID is not used, the document (examples of which are listed below) must show your name and address. This must be presented to an election judge before being permitted to vote.
If you do not present a required form on identification, you may vote on a
provisional ballot. For further information, please see Provisional Voting
below.
If you registered to vote by mail after January 1, 2003, and you did not submit
a copy of the required identification with the registration application at
that time, and you will be voting in a jurisdiction for the first time, then you
will be required to submit a copy of one of the following:
- Current and valid photo identification
- Utility bill
- Government check
- Paycheck
- Government document
Illinois voters who vote during the early voting period must vote in person
and must provide a valid identification. Valid forms of identification for this
purpose include a current driver's license, state-issued identification card,
or another government-issued identification card.
You may vote absentee if meet one of the following criteria:
- You expect to be absent from your county of residence on Election Day
- You are appointed to be an election judge in a precinct different from
where you reside
- You are unable to be present at the polls because of a physical incapacity
- You are observing a religious holiday and are unable to be present at the polls because of the tenets of your religion
- You have election duties in the office of a state's attorney, county clerk, a board of election commissioners or state board of elections and will be unable to be present at the polls
- You are serving as a sequestered juror on a state or federal jury only
- You are a member of the United States Armed Forces while on active duty, members of the Merchant Marines, or you are a spouse or dependent of the aforementioned, and expect to be absent from your county of residence on Election Day
- You are a member of a religious group or welfare agency (or are a spouse/dependent of the aforementioned), that is officially attached to or assisting members of the armed forces who expect to be absent from the county where they reside on Election Day
- You are a state or federal employee who had a voting residence in the precinct at the time they entered employment, but who now reside elsewhere due to state or federal employment
- You are a registered citizen temporarily residing overseas
Note: If you are a U.S. citizen who resides outside of the country, and is not registered to vote, you may vote by absentee ballot for federal offices only
Steps to request an absentee ballot:
STEP 1: Obtain the proper application for an absentee ballot, either by mail or in person, from your election authority.
STEP 2: Upon receipt, complete the application. Make certain to include your name, home address, address where you want the ballot to be mailed, and please remember to sign the application.
STEP 3: After completing the application, either mail it or hand-deliver it to your election authority. If you return the application in person or complete the application in the election authority's office, you may immediately vote with your absentee ballot in the election authority's office. If you mail the application and it is properly completed, the election authority will mail your absentee ballot to you.
STEP 4: After receiving your ballot, VOTE THE BALLOT IN SECRET. Insert the ballot into the envelope provided, seal it, complete and sign the certification on the back and PERSONALLY return it or mail it. The absentee voter may authorize, in writing, that a spouse, parent, child, brother, sister, or licensed motor carrier, should deliver the completed absentee ballot to the election authority in sufficient time to be delivered to the polling place on Election Day.
You can request an absentee ballot by mail from 40 days prior to the election
up till 5 days before the election. You can request an absentee ballot in person 40 days
before the election up till 1 day before the election. Please contact specific
county officials for absentee ballots sent from outside the United States.
Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot from the Overseas Vote Foundation.
