ILLINOIS

Voter Registration Deadline: 28 days before Election Day for registration by mail and 16 days before Election Day for online registration.

Grace period registration begins the 27^th day before an election and runs through Election Day and is available in person at designated sites and some polling places on Election Day. If you are registering during the grace period and plan to vote in that election, you must vote at the same time that you register. If you do not vote when you register, you cannot vote later in that election. Contact your local election authority or check online for locations. For more information on grace period registration, please visit: https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/EarlyVotingLocationsSearch.aspx.

2026 Election Information

General Primary: March 17, 2026

• Regular Voter Registration Deadline: February 17, 2026 (by mail), March 1, 2026 (online)
• Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: March 12, 2026
• Early Voting Period: February 5, 2026 through March 16, 2026

General Election: November 3, 2026

• Regular Voter Registration Deadline: October 6, 2026 (by mail), October 18, 2026 (online)
• Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: October 29, 2026
• Early Voting Period: September 24, 2026 through November 2, 2026

More information regarding important dates and deadlines is available at https://www.elections.il.gov/Main/CalendarEventsAll.aspx.

More election information at: https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx

Online voter registration available at: https://ova.elections.il.gov/

Mail-in PDF voter registration form available at: https://bit.ly/IL-Mail-In-PDF

Students have a decision about where to register to vote.

You have a right to register to vote at the address you consider the place where you live, whether that is your family’s home or the place where you attend school. You should update your registration anytime this home address changes.

You may only be registered and vote in one location.

In Illinois, a person who is otherwise qualified to vote may preregister to vote on or after their 16^th birthday, though they may not vote in an election until they reach the required age to vote. Additionally, 17-year-olds who will be 18 on or before the general election may register and vote in the corresponding primary election. For more information on voter registration and preregistration, visit: https://www.elections.il.gov/votingandregistrationsystems/register.aspx.

Paper Voter Registration Application: The Illinois paper voter registration form asks for your Illinois driver’s license or ID number, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. Be sure to provide one of these numbers if you have it.

Online Voter Registration Application: The Illinois online voter registration portal requires your Illinois driver’s license or ID number.

You do not need ID to vote in Illinois; however, if you are registering to vote for the first time, are applying by mail, and do not have an ID number or Social Security number, you must submit a copy of a current and valid photo ID, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows your name and current address. This type of documentation includes a student ID card, coupled with either a copy of your lease for a residence, or any postmarked mail delivered to you at your current residence address

Make a plan. Look up your voting site and hours at:

https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx

By Mail: Any registered Illinois voter can vote by mail without an excuse. A mail-in ballot application can be submitted in-person or by mail. Some counties offer the option to submit an online application. The Illinois State Board of Elections’ website will direct voters in these counties to their county’s online application form. 

• Mail-in Ballot Application Deadline: Your application must be received no later than 5 days before Election Day if submitted by mail or must be received no later than 1 day before election day if submitted in person.
• Completed Mail-in Ballot Return Deadline: Completed mail-in ballots must be returned in-person by the close of the polls on Election Day or, if returned by mail, postmarked on or before Election Day.

Mail-in ballots can be returned by mail, in person to your local elections office, or, where available, to a secure drop box. You can find a list of drop box locations in your election jurisdiction at:

https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/VoteByMailBallotDropBoxLocations.aspx?T=637636656789293501

Early In-person: All voters may vote early in person without an excuse at an early voting location established by their local election authority. Early voting takes place from the 40th day before Election Day through the day before Election Day.

Contact your local election authority for information about early voting locations and hours or check online here.

Election Day: Voting sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. If you are in line by closing time, then you have a right to cast a ballot.

Does Registering to Vote Affect my Federal Financial Aid?

Where you register to vote will not affect federal financial aid such as Pell Grants, Perkins or Stafford loans, or your dependency status for FAFSA.

Does Registering to Vote Affect my Status as a Dependent on My Parents’ Taxes?

Being registered to vote at a different address from your parents does not prevent them from 

claiming you as a dependent on their taxes.

Does Registering to Vote impact my Tuition Status?

Being deemed out-of-state for tuition purposes does not prevent you from choosing to register to vote in your campus community.

Will registering to vote in Illinois affect my driver’s license or car registration?

As a resident of Illinois, you may be required to obtain an Illinois driver’s license or update your car registration, regardless of whether you register to vote there. For more information, you may wish to contact the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles.