Voting & Civil Rights

Illinois voters can vote in person:

• Before Election Day through early voting, or
• On Election Day at their assigned polling place or another authorized voting location.

Voters do not need a reason to vote early. Early voting locations may be different from Election Day polling places.

Illinois holds elections every year. Generally:

• In even-numbered years, primary elections are held in March and general elections in November, and
• In odd-numbered years, local primary elections are held in February and local elections in April.

Dates can vary for certain elections. The Illinois State Board of Elections calendar and the local election authority can confirm upcoming election dates.

Early voting may be available at temporary or permanent early voting sites starting as early as 40 days before Election Day. Early voting continues through the day before Election Day. Each site has its own dates and hours, and not every site is open throughout that period.

Permanent early voting sites follow required schedules:

• Starting 15 days before Election Day, they must be open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and
• Starting 8 days before Election Day, they must extend weekday hours until 7:00 p.m., open on Saturdays and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and open on Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Some permanent sites must provide longer hours for holidays and the final weekend before Election Day. Those sites must open for at least 8 hours on a holiday during early voting and at least 14 hours total over the final weekend.

Temporary sites may open on fewer days or for different hours. 

Voters can find each site’s dates and hours through the Illinois State Board of Elections’ early voting search or their local election authority. Learn more about requirements for early voting sites in section 19A-15 and section 19A-20 of the Election Code.

Voters generally must vote at the polling place assigned to their address. Some election authorities also offer voting locations that serve voters from throughout their jurisdiction. Use the Illinois State Board of Elections’ polling place lookup or contact the local election authority to confirm where to vote. Election Day polling places may be different from early voting sites.

Voters who move within Illinois can update their registration and vote at a designated location serving their new address through Election Day. Voters using grace-period registration must update their registration and vote during the same visit. If a voter was registered in their former precinct and moves within Illinois during the 30 days before an election, they can still vote at their old polling place. Learn more about Voter registration.

Illinois polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Voters in line at 7:00 p.m. have the right to stay in line and vote, even after the polls close.

Learn more about Election Day voting from the Illinois State Board of Elections.

No, registered voters generally do not need to show ID to vote in person. Voters may need to provide ID when:

• Registering or updating their address at the voting location,
• Voting for the first time after registering by mail without providing the required proof of identity, or
• Responding to a challenge to their eligibility.

Illinois does not generally require a photo ID to vote, including during early voting. Election judges usually verify the voter’s identity by comparing their signature with the registration record. 

For a first-time voter who registered by mail without providing the required proof to verify their registration, acceptable documents include a current, valid photo ID or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document showing the voter’s name and address.

Different requirements apply to registration and voter challenges. A qualifying witness’s sworn statement may be accepted instead of ID when eligibility is challenged.

An election judge, pollwatcher, or another eligible voter can challenge a voter’s right to vote. A challenge does not automatically prevent the voter from voting. Election judges review the challenge and decide whether the voter can receive a regular ballot.

Election judges may check registration records, ask questions, and require a sworn statement, called an affidavit, with supporting proof. If the challenge is upheld and the voter cannot receive a regular ballot, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot. Election officials review provisional ballots before deciding whether they can be counted.

Learn more in section 18A-5 of the Election Code.

The proof a voter needs to show to cast a regular ballot depends on the reason for the challenge. A challenged voter may need to sign a sworn statement, called an affidavit, confirming their eligibility.

To establish their residence, the voter can provide:

• Two forms of ID showing their current residence address, or
• A sworn statement from a qualifying voter in the same precinct who knows the challenged voter and can confirm their residence.

If using two forms of ID, only one may be mail addressed to the voter. That mail must be postmarked within 30 days before the election. A college or university photo ID accompanied by a residential lease or qualifying recent mail can also establish residence.

A supporting witness must be eligible to vote in the precinct. The witness must be personally known to the election judges or identified by a precinct voter known to the judges. The witness must give the required statement under oath.

Learn more in section 17-10 of the Election Code.

A provisional ballot is a method for voting when a voter's eligibility is uncertain. All provisional ballots must be kept separate from regular ballots while the local election authority checks whether they can be counted. Provisional ballots are also used when a court extends polling hours and a person votes during the extended period.

Casting a provisional ballot does not guarantee that it will count. Election judges must give provisional voters written instructions explaining the process and how to check whether their ballot was counted. Voters can submit information supporting their eligibility to the local election authority. That information must be received within 7 calendar days after Election Day.

Use the Illinois State Board of Elections’ provisional ballot search or the local system linked there to check the result. Learn more in section 18A-5 and section 18A-15 of the Election Code.

Yes, Illinois employees eligible to vote can request two hours off to vote on Election Day. They must request the time off before Election Day. Employers cannot penalize employees or reduce their pay for taking protected voting leave.

Employers can generally choose the hours. However, employers must allow two hours during the workday when both conditions apply:

• The employee starts work less than two hours after polls open, and
• The employee finishes work less than two hours before polls close.

For example, an employee working from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. meets both conditions because polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Learn more in section 17-15 of the Election Code.

Students eligible to vote can take two hours away from school to vote on Election Day or during the 15 days before it. The school can choose the hours.

School schedules vary, so check the school’s calendar.

Learn more in section 17-15 of the Election Code.

Voters who are blind, have a disability, or are unable to read, write, or speak English can receive help marking their ballots from:

• A helper of their choice, other than the voter’s employer, an agent of the employer, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union, or
• Two election judges from different political parties.

Voters requesting assistance generally must explain why they need help and complete a sworn statement, called an affidavit. Voters with an Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card showing a Class 1A or Class 2 disability can present that card to establish their need for assistance. A disability ID card is not required to receive help.

A chosen helper must also sign an oath promising to follow the voter’s directions and not influence their choices.

Helpers must mark the ballot as the voter directs and keep the voter’s choices private. Intoxication does not qualify as a physical disability for voting assistance.

Learn more in section 17-14 of the Election Code.

Voters who need language assistance can ask their local election authority about:

• Translated ballots and voting instructions,
• Election judges or staff who speak other languages, and
• Language assistance by phone.

Available languages and services vary by location. Voters who are unable to read, write, or speak English can also choose a helper to assist with their ballot, subject to the restrictions explained above.

Contact the local election authority to learn which services are available. Election Protection also provides voting assistance through hotlines in several languages.

Voters with disabilities have the right to accessible voting equipment that allows them to mark, review, and cast their ballots privately and independently.

Equipment may include audio instructions, enlarged text, and controls for voters who have difficulty using a touchscreen or marking a paper ballot. Voters can ask an election judge to explain the equipment and demonstrate how to use it.

Voters can use accessible equipment without bringing a helper. They can also request assistance if needed.

Learn more about accessible voting systems and voters’ rights from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Yes. Voters whose disabilities prevent them from entering a polling place because of the building’s features can request a ballot outside the entrance. Weather permitting, two election judges from different political parties bring the ballot and equipment that allows the voter to mark it privately.

For this process, the voter must:

• Submit the required request to the local election authority by the close of business on the day before the election, and
• Be within 50 feet of the building’s entrance when voting.

Election authorities may also offer curbside voting during early voting and on Election Day. These programs may have different arrangements. Contact the local election authority for available locations and instructions.

Learn more in section 17-13 and section 17-13.5 of the Election Code.

No, voters must avoid taking or sharing photos showing their marked ballots, including "ballot selfies." Illinois law prohibits knowingly marking or casting a ballot in a way that another person can observe the vote, except for assistance and other situations allowed by law. Violating this rule is a Class 4 felony. Learn more in section 29-9 of the Election Code.

Voters can celebrate voting by taking a photo with an “I Voted” sticker outside the voting area, without showing a marked ballot.

Tell an election judge about a problem at the polling place right away. The local election authority can also answer questions about voting locations, mail ballots, ballot status, and accessibility arrangements.

During elections, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office operates election hotlines where voters can report voting problems or suspected improper or illegal activity:

• In Chicago and Northern Illinois, call (866) 536-3496, and
• In Central and Southern Illinois, call (866) 559-6812.

People with hearing or speech disabilities can use the 711 relay service. 

Voters can also contact:

• Election Protection by calling or texting (866) 687-8683,
• Equip for Equality at (800) 537-2632 for disability-related voting concerns, or
• The Illinois State Board of Elections at (217) 782-4141 or (312) 814-6440.