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Voter Registration Information

 

Below is a list of important  guidelines for you to follow when you are registering to vote in Cook County, Illinois.  For more information, please refer to the contacts listed below:

Cook County Election Department:

South Suburbs/Markham

16501 S. Kedzie Ave., Room 238; Markham, IL 60426
(708) 210-4150

Downtown Chicago
69 W. Washington St., Suite 500; Chicago, IL 60602
(312) 603-0906


Official Website

https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/
 
 
 

 When may I register to vote?

You may register to vote up to 27 days before an election.

 What are the requirements for registering?

You must be:

1. A U.S. citizen
2. At least 18 years old by Election Day
3. A resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to an election

Illinois voters do not need to register by political party or declare a political party membership or preference.

 What forms of identification are needed when I register?

Two forms of identifcation are necessary.  One must show your current address of residence.

 Where can I register to vote?

Registering to vote has never been easier or more convenient. You can register online, in person or you can download registration forms and register through the mail.

1. Online

If you have an Illinois driver's license or state ID, you may register online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

2. PDF

If you don't have a driver's license or state ID, fill out a form online, print, sign and mail it in.

3. Paper

Download a mail-in voter registration card:

   English        Spanish
   Hindi            Chinese
   Korean         Tagalog

4. In person

Eligible suburban Cook County residents can also register to vote in person with a certified registrar by going to:

 

 Do I have to re-register?

Your registration is permanent unless you move or change your name.

1. Address Change

If you have moved within suburban Cook County, you must transfer your registration by re-registering.  You may choose to write your new address on the back of your voter identification card and mail it to the Clerk's downtown Chicago office.

You must re-register with the local election authority or county clerk if you move to an address outside suburban Cook County.

2. Name Change

Voters who have legally changed their name, but not their address, do not have to re-register.  You can update your information at the polls.

 Will I automatically be registered to vote when I renew my driver's license?

No.  But you will be given the opportunity to register if you are not already registered.  There is no need to register again unless you have moved or have changed your name.

 What is absentee voting?

Absentee voting is a convenient way of casting a ballot if you’re unable to make it to your polling place on Election Day. The most common method of voting absentee is by mail, but you may also cast ballots in person at your local village or township hall.

According to state law, if you're a registered voter in suburban Cook County, you may cast an absentee ballot only if you are:

  • Expecting to be out of Cook County on Election Day
  • Physically incapacitated or hospitalized
  • Temporarily away at college
  • Serving on a jury
  • Serving as an election judge or election official
  • Observing a religious holiday
  • In jail awaiting trial

However, Illinois voters may take part in Early Voting, which allows voters to vote before the election without having a reason or excuse. Those early voters must vote in person (not by mail) at a designated early voting site.

 Can I vote early?

Yes. Illinois voters can cast their ballots before Election Day at designated locations without having to provide a reason or excuse.

Casting your ballot before Election Day makes voting more convenient, especially for the elderly and voters with busy schedules.

 

 

State law requires early voters to display valid identification to an election official before receiving a ballot to vote early. Valid forms of ID include: a current driver’s license, state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

 

  • Voting Equipment

Early voting will be conducted on touch screens that store every ballot style in the county, permitting any voter in suburban Cook to vote at any location.

 

  • Ballot secrecy

Your ballot will remain secret and securely stored.

 Is there a grace period to register?

Yes.

There is only one way and one place to register during the 14-day grace period. Unregistered voters must sign up to vote in person at the Clerk's downtown Chicago office: 69 W. Washington St., Room 500. You must show two pieces of identification to register.

Grace-period voters must vote absentee. You can: 1) vote in person at the Clerk's downtown office immediately after signing up to vote; or 2) receive an absentee ballot by mail that you can complete at home and return to the Clerk's office before Election Day.

Grace-period registrants are not allowed to vote at the polls on Election Day or vote at any early voting site.