IMPORTANT ELECTION DATES
October 7 Last Day to Register
October 13 - 30 Early Voting
November 4 Election Day
An individual may register to vote in Illinois if he/she is 18 years or older on the next election day, resides in the jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the election, and is a U.S. citizen.
Illinois’ residents may register in person at the office of the election authority, at driver’s license facilities, with deputy registrars who are appointed in each jurisdiction, or via mail registration forms available in English and Spanish.
Illinois citizens residing overseas and military personnel may register using a Federal postcard application found on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website. Other questions maybe answered using the Military and Overseas Voter Guidelines
Registration is closed during the 27 days prior to an election. Individuals who miss the deadline may register or transfer their registration at the office of the election authority under the guidelines of grace period registration. Check these election registration deadlines.
Cook County Residents
If you are a resident of Cook County and would like to register to vote, click here.
Lake County Residents
If you are a resident of Lake County and would like to register to vote, click here.
Voters requiring special assistance
Every early voting and Election Day site in Lake County offers ADA wheelchair-accessible voting equipment allowing disabled voters to cast a ballot while maintaining their privacy and anonymity. Voters requiring vision assistance can have the ballot displayed on a touch screen in larger type and with a reverse contrast option. There is also an option for an audio ballot used with headphones in order to ensure privacy. For voters with limited physical mobility, the ADA equipment offers three options: an easy-to-use touch screen interface, arrow keys with Braille instructions to toggle through the ballot, and a sip-and-puff technology for marking ballot choices.
Voters who cannot read, write, or need translation of the ballot have the option to be assisted by two election judges or the person of their choice as long as the person providing assistance is not the voter’s employer or a member of the voter’s union. An affidavit and oath are required when assistance is given. The affidavit confirms that the person assisting will read the entire ballot and will mark the ballot as the voter instructs, without influencing the voter. The affidavit must be signed by the voter and the person providing assistance.
A voter who is physically unable to enter a voting site may request curbside voting assistance. Call the Lake County Clerk’s office at (847) 377-2314 at least one day in advance of Election Day to assure the voter the best possible service.
Registered voters who are admitted to a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation center not more than fourteen days (subject to the Governor’s signature) before the November 4, 2008 election are qualified for personal delivery of an absentee ballot, subject to statutory requirements. The voter must complete an application for ballot, and the voter’s physician is required to complete accompanying documents. This form can be obtained by calling the Lake County Clerk’s office at (847) 377-2311.
