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Voting is a fundamental right for all U.S. citizens of 18 years and older of all races, genders, backgrounds, and abilities. Please use this resource to assist your voting rights.
Early voting begins 40 days before an election and continues until the day before Election Day. Before you vote, it is important to check hours and locations for early voting. By law, all early voting locations must be physically accessible
Absentee voting is also known as voting by mail. Anyone can vote using an absentee ballot for any reason. You have to request an application for absentee ballot by mail, in person, or online from your local election authority. You have to fill out the application and return it to the local election authority in person or by mail. You can request an absentee ballot 90 days before the election up until one day before the election if you do it in person, or five days before the election if you do it by mail or online.
Request IL Ballot:
Phone: (217)782-4141
E-Mail: webmaster@elections.il.gov
Cook County vote by mail
https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/ways-to-vote/vote-by-mail
(312) 603-0946
Link to All States Absentee Voting
https://www.usa.gov/absentee-voting
1-844-USA-GOV1
Curbside Voting is available If you are able to vote on Election Day, but cannot enter the polling place because it is not accessible or because you have limited mobility to enter the polling place, you may request curbside voting.
Voter Assistance is the actual casting of a vote for a voter by a specified person in the privacy of the voting booth on Election Day. Those giving assistance must vote as directed by the voter. IL law states that the person in need of assistance may need an appropriate affidavit signed or be accompanied by two voter judges to assist in the voting booth.
Do I need to show ID?
https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/service/when-voters-do-and-dont-need-identification-id
Acceptable forms:
- Passport or Military ID
- Driver's License or State ID card
- College/University/School/Work ID
- Vehicle registration card
- Lease, mortgage or deed to home
- Credit or debit card
- Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid card
- Insurance card
- Civic, union or professional membership card
- LINK/Public Aid/Department of Human Services card
- Illinois FOID card
Voters with Aphasia may ask for options:
- Large Ballot Viewer to enlarge the print
- Audio Ballot to hear the options and instructions
- Ballot Market Gripper to hold the pen for paper ballots
- Assisted Voting friend or judge.
Healthcare Facility Voting
If you are registered to vote and are admitted to a hospital, nursing home or rehabilitation center less than 14 days before the election, you can still vote. You must obtain an “Application for Ballot for Qualified Voter Admitted to Hospital, Nursing Home or Rehabilitation Center” from your local election authority and fill it out. Your doctor must fill out a section of the application and sign the form, too. A legal relative or a registered voter who lives in the same precinct as you can go in person to the election authority’s office to hand in the form. They will be given an absentee ballot to deliver to you. You can then vote the absentee ballot and place it in the envelope given to you.
Voting By Mail/ Absentee during COVID-19 Pandemic
https://www.eac.gov/election-officials/voting-by-mail-absentee-voting
More voters are using mail ballots as a safe way to vote.
As more voters may be using this process, please mail in time to have the ballots counted.
Are You Registered to Vote in IL?
Check here and sign up
Chicago Office
100 W. Randolph, Suite 14-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 312-814-6440
Fax: 312-814-6485
Springfield Office
2329 S. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62704
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 217-782-4141
Fax: 217-782-5959
Resources:
EAC - U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Equip For Equality - Voter Information Page
Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984
The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 1973ee to 1973ee-6) requires polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to people with disabilities.
National Disability Rights Network
American Association of People with Disabilities - Voting
Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
Illinois State Provisions Regarding Voting Rights:
Constitutional Terms:Silent as to incapacity. Only prohibits felon or those in jail from voting. ILL. CONST. art. III, § 2. "Disabled person" means a person 18 years or older who (a) because of mental deterioration or physical incapacity is not fully able to manage his person or estate, or (b) is a person with mental illness or a person with a developmental disability and who because of his mental illness or developmental disability is not fully able to manage his person or estate, or (c) because of gambling, idleness, debauchery or excessive use of intoxicants or drugs, so spends or wastes his estate as to expose himself or his family to want or suffering. 755 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/11a-2.
Guardianship Terms: Order appointing limited guardian removes only that authority specifically conferred by order. 755 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/11a-14(a). “Guardianship shall be ordered only to the extent necessitated by the individual's actual mental, physical and adaptive limitations.” 755 ILL. COMP. STAT. 5/11a-3(b).
