1. Home
  2. Cities & Towns
  3. Chicago

Requirements to Register to Vote in Illinois

Are you Eligible to Vote?

From Jennifer Roche, for About.com

To register to vote in Illinois you must:
  • Be a United States citizen.
  • At least 18 years old by Election Day.
  • A resident of your precinct for at least 30 days prior to an election.
  • You can not be convicted and in jail.
  • You can not claim the right to vote anywhere else.
Illinois voters do not have to register by political party or declare a membership to a political party to vote. But, in the state's election primaries, you will need to select a political party's ballot in order to vote.

After you have registered, you should receive a voter identification card within four weeks. Suburban Cook County residents can confirm their registration in the Cook County Clerk's database by here. Or, they and Chicago citizens can call (312) 603-0906.

Have you Moved or Changed Your Name?

If you have moved, you must re-register to vote. If you have changed your name, you must re-register to vote. Otherwise, your registration does not have to be renewed.

Explore Chicago

About.com Special Features

On the National Mall in Washington, DC

Take a look at the capital's best sight-seeing spot. More >

Oktoberfest in Phoenix

Find the best places to celebrate and join the festivities. More >

  1. Home
  2. Cities & Towns
  3. Chicago
  4. Chicago & IL Government
  5. Voter Registration - Requirements to Register to Vote in Chicago and Illinois

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.