How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Clerk / Election Authority (county level - each of Illinois's 102 counties) / Illinois State Board of Elections (state level)

Step by Step

How to do it

Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Illinois resident in your jurisdiction for at least 30 days before Election Day, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and not serving a sentence of confinement for a criminal conviction (on parole, on probation, or having completed sentence: CAN register and vote)
Choose your registration method:
ONLINE: Illinois Online Voter Registration at ova.elections.il.gov - requires Illinois driver's license or state ID number; closes 16 days before Election Day
BY MAIL: Download Illinois Voter Registration Application; complete, sign, and mail to your County Clerk - must be postmarked 28 days before Election Day
IN PERSON: County Clerk office; Secretary of State driver's license facilities; deputy registrar locations throughout the county - in-person deadline 28 days before Election Day
GRACE PERIOD REGISTRATION: If you miss the 28-day deadline, Illinois offers a GRACE PERIOD - register at the County Clerk's office during the period from 27 days before Election Day through Election Day (registration and same-day voting; usually at election authority office, not regular polling place)
Submit registration before your chosen deadline
Receive voter registration card by mail confirming enrollment

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Illinois driver's license or state ID number (for online registration)
OR last 4 digits of Social Security number
Date of birth and current Illinois address (must have resided 30 days before election)

Fee

Free ONLINE REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 16 days before Election Day MAIL / IN-PERSON DEADLINE: 28 days before Election Day (postmarked for mail) GRACE PERIOD: 27 days before through Election Day - register and vote at County Clerk office (Grace Period Voting) CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: ova.elections.il.gov/registrationlookup.aspx or contact your County Clerk EARLY VOTING: Illinois offers early voting - typically 40 days before through the day before Election Day; contact County Clerk for locations VOTE BY MAIL: Any registered Illinois voter may vote by mail - no excuse required; apply online, by mail, or in person through County Clerk ONLINE OPTION: Yes - ova.elections.il.gov WHERE TO GO: County Clerk / Election Authority; Secretary of State driver's license facilities; deputy registrar locations; County Clerk office for Grace Period registration

Online Option

Yes - ova.elections.il.gov

Where to Go

County Clerk / Election Authority; Secretary of State driver's license facilities; deputy registrar locations; County Clerk office for Grace Period registration

County-specific variations apply

Voter registration in Illinois is administered by county-level election authorities (usually County Clerk; Chicago uses the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners). Grace Period Voting locations, early voting sites, and election authority offices vary by county. Chicago has its own election authority at chicagoelections.gov. Contact your specific county clerk or election authority for local details.

Illinois Notes

Important state-specific details

Illinois GRACE PERIOD REGISTRATION: a significant voter-friendly provision - if you miss the 28-day deadline, you can still register and vote at your county election authority during the grace period (typically from 27 days before through Election Day). This is NOT same-day registration at a regular polling place - must be at the election authority office.
FELONY CONVICTION: Illinois allows voting for those on parole or probation; only those actually serving a sentence of confinement (in jail or prison) cannot vote. Rights automatically restored upon release from confinement.
No party registration in Illinois - simply register to vote; choose party ballot at the primary.
PHOTO ID NOT REQUIRED to vote in Illinois (one of more permissive states on ID).
Pre-registration available for 17-year-olds who will be 18 by Election Day.
Illinois also offers automatic voter registration through the Secretary of State DMV system.
Polls open 6:00 AM - 7:00 PM; anyone in line at closing must be allowed to vote.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Illinois State Board of Elections - elections.il.gov | (312) 814-6440 (Chicago); ova.elections.il.gov for online registration; County Clerk (varies by county)