RVC Votes!
Resources & Registration
Illinois Voting Deadlines
Consolidated Primary Election: Tuesday, February 25, 2025
What is a consolidated primary election? A primary election for a consolidated local election is a vote where people choose candidates who will run in the final election for local government positions, such as city council members, school board members, mayors, or park district officials.
- Thursday, January 16, 2025: Early voting begins for the Primary Election (Early voting takes place in-person at your election authority.)
- Tuesday, January 28, 2025: Last day for Deputy Registrars to register voters in the community
- Wednesday, January 29, 2025: Grace period voter registration and same-day voting begin for the Primary Election (Grace period registration takes place in-person at your election authority.)
- Sunday, February 9, 2025: Last day to register online to vote in the Primary Election
- Thursday, February 20, 2025: Last day to request to vote by mail in the Primary Election
- Tuesday, February 25, 2025: Consolidated Primary Election
Consolidated Election: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
What is a consolidated election? A consolidated election is a local election where voters choose leaders for various government positions, such as city council members, school board members, mayors, or park district officials, and it often includes multiple offices or issues on the same ballot.
- TBD: Early voting begins for the Consolidated Election (Early voting takes place in-person at your election authority.)
- Thursday, February 27, 2025: First day for Deputy Registrars to register voters in the community
- Tuesday, March 4, 2025: Last day for Deputy Registrars to register voters in the community
- Wednesday, March 5, 2025: Grace period voter registration and same-day voting begin for the Consolidated Election (Grace period registration takes place in-person at your election authority.)
- Saturday, March 16, 2025: Last day to register online to vote in the Consolidated Election
- Wednesday, March 27, 2025: Last day to request to vote by mail in the Consolidated Election
- Tuesday, April 1, 2025: Consolidated Election
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.
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.
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.
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.