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Here's what you need to know if you're voting in Illinois in 2012:
VOTER ID
You do not need ID to vote in Illinois unless you did not provide adequate ID when registering by mail and this is your first time voting. See "Registration" for more information.
Go to:
www.elections.il.gov/VotingInformation/RegistrationLookup.aspx to find your polling place.
REGISTRATION
Print a form: You may obtain a printable form here: http://elections.il.gov/votinginformation/voteregforms.aspx
Registering in person: Two forms of identification are required with at least one showing your current residence address.
Registering by mail: If you register by mail, you must vote in person the first time, either at the polling place, in-person absentee or early voting, unless you submit with your mail-in registration form your driver license number or state ID number, the last four digits of your Social Security number or one of the forms of ID listed below:
- A current and valid photo identification;
- Utility bill;Bank statement;
- Government check;
- Paycheck;
- Lease or contract for residence;
- Student ID and mail addressed to voter's residence; or
- Government document.
The above listed forms of ID must show your name and address and must be presented to the election officials before you will be permitted to vote. If you do not present a required form of identification either at the time of submitting your mail-in registration or at the time of voting, you may vote a provisional ballot.
Registration is open year round except during the 27-day period just prior to an election and during the two-day period after each election (one day after in Chicago). However, there is a "grace period" for registration that extends the period of time for a voter to register to vote, or to update his or her registration information. This "grace period" registration extends registration from the normal close of registration up through the seventh day before the election. Once registered, this voter may cast a ballot during the "grace period" at the election authority's office or at a location specifically designated for this purpose by the election authority, or by mail, at the discretion of the election authority.
IMPORTANT: Voters should make every effort to register during the regular registration period. Voters who register during the "grace period" cannot vote on Election Day or at their regular polling location. They must vote during the "grace period" at the location designated by the election authority. If you choose to register or update your registration during the "grace period," go to www.elections.il.gov/downloads/electioninformation/pdf/graceperiodreg.pdf to review the deadlines and guidelines.
ABSENTEE VOTING
Any qualified registered voter in Illinois may vote absentee.
When can I apply to vote absentee?
In person: Not more than 40 days or less than one day prior to the election.
By mail inside the United States: Not more than 40 days or less than five days prior to the election.
Absentee ballots must all be personally returned or mailed to the election authority. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than midnight on the night prior to the election, and must be received within 14 days of the election. All absentee ballots are processed centrally.
For more information about voting, call the Illinois State Board of Elections at 217-782-4141 in Springfield or 312-814-6440 in Chicago or go to www.elections.il.gov/.