To be eligible to vote, you must be:

• A US citizen
• At least 18 years of age by Election Day
  • 17-year-olds may vote in a General Primary if they will be 18 by the following General Election
  • 16-year-olds may pre-register to vote so they may start voting as soon as they turn 18
• Have been a resident of the precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day
• Not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of any conviction
• Not be registered to vote elsewhere

Incarcerated Voters & Returning Citizens: 

In Illinois, you only lose your right to vote if you are currently incarcerated for a misdemeanor or felony conviction. If you lost your voting rights because of a conviction, you could register to vote immediately after release. Your voting rights are not restricted by pretrial detention, misdemeanors, probation, or parole. 

Voters without traditional residence: 

In Illinois, voters must provide a residence address for voter registration purposes. When providing the residence address, post office boxes should not be used. Individuals without a permanent or fixed home address may draw a map in the designated box on their voter registration form to indicate the exact location of where they stay. They should list the name of the subdivision; cross streets; roads; landmarks; mileage and/or neighbors’ names. 

If the individual does not receive postal service at their residence address, they must provide a separate mailing address, including the number, street, city, state, and zip code. The mailing address on their registration form can be a P.O. box, local shelter, advocacy organization, outreach center, or the home of someone who will accept mail for them.