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Resources & Registration
RVC Voter Guides 2025
Frequently Asked Questions
To register in Illinois, you must:
- be a citizen of the United States;
- be a resident of Illinois and of your election precinct at least 30 days before the next election;
- be at least 18 years old on or before the next election;
- not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution or under house arrest as a result of conviction of any crime;
- not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
If you are currently 16 years old and meet all other eligibility requirements, you can pre-register to vote. Your election authority will hold your registration until your 18th birthday.
No, Illinois does not require an ID to vote. However, if you register to vote online, you will be required to show your ID the next time you vote.
Illinois Residents: To vote by mail, request your vote by mail ballot online and either mail it or drop it off at your local election office.
- If you live in the City of Rockford, you can apply online to vote by mail.
- In Illinois, to vote by mail, you need to request a ballot at least five days before the election. Make sure to drop off your ballot at the election office or have it postmarked by Election Day.
Out-of-State? To vote by mail (or absentee ballot), request your vote by mail ballot online and either mail it or drop it off at your local election office.
No, Illinois does not require an excuse for absentee voting or early voting.
Yes. If you have completed your sentence and/or have been released from jail on parole, mandatory supervised release, or electronic monitoring your voting rights are restored. You will need to re-register to vote at your current address (even if you have previously registered to vote at that address). Learn more about voting rights restoration.
Anyone age 17 who will turn 18 on or before Election Day, can register to vote.