Frequently Asked Questions

To register to vote, you must:

• Be a United States citizen; and

• Be at least 18 years old by the next general (not primary) election, and

• Be a resident of your precinct for at least 30 days prior to Election Day

Registering to vote for the first time or updating an existing registration has never been easier or more convenient.

If it is more than 28 days before the election in which you want to vote you can:

• Register online. This is the easiest and fastest way to register to vote. You will need o long as you have: your Illinois Drivers License or Illinois State ID number, the date the license or ID was issued., the last four digits of your social security number and your birth date. Click Here to begin the process.

• Download a registration application form to print, fill out and mail in. Click Here. to download a paper application form

• Register in person . Registrar are available at Village Hall during regular business hours.

If you registered by mail, but you did not bring ID to the polling place on Election Day), you may be asked to show proof of your identification the first time you vote.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

• a current and valid photo ID

• a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck

• other government document showing your name and address.

If you do not have proof of your identification when you vote, you can vote with a Provisional Ballot. In that case your vote will only be counted if you bring your identification to the Cook County Clerk's downtown Chicago office (69 W. Washington St., Room 500) or you fax a photocopy of your ID to the Clerk's office at (312) 603-9786. Proof of identification must be submitted by 7:00 p.m. the Thursday after Election Day for your vote to be counted.

*In this instance, you must supply the Clerk's office with a copy of acceptable identification

You amust have two pieces of identification. Neither needs to be a photo ID, but one must include your current address. Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Illinois driver's license

• Illinois state ID

• Employee or student ID

• Credit card

• Social security card

• Birth certificate

• Utility bill in applicant's name

• Mail postmarked to the applicant

• Valid U.S. passport

• Public aid ID card

• Lease or rental contract

If you think that you may already be registered to vote, you can check your registration by using the State Board of Election's Voter Registration Lookup

Yes! You can register to vote in person during the Early Voting Period or on Election Day. During Early Voting you can go to any Early Voting Site, register to vote and vote at the same time.

You do not need to re-register unless you move or change your name. 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.

If you are changing your name but are not moving—and forget to update your registration—you will be required to fill out an affidavit on Election Day in order to cast your ballot. You will not be able to vote by mail.

If you are legally changing your name at the Secretary of State’s office or online at (www.cyberdriveillinois.com) you can ask them to process a new or updated voter registration.

Any registered voter can vote with a Mail Ballot- you do NOT need a reason. Many people find this method of voting convenient.

The first day to apply for a Mail Ballot for the April 1, 2025 Election is January 1, 2025. The last day to request a Mail Ballot is March 27, 2025.

• Click Here to request a Mail Ballot online.

• To complete an online mail ballot application, you will need:

        -  your driver’s license or state identification number;
        -  the last four digits of your Social Security Number;
        -  the address where you would like your ballot mailed; and
        -  an email address

NOTE: If your driver's license/state ID or your Social Security number are not on file, you will not be able to complete this application online unless you update your voter registration by calling 312.603.0946. This is most common for voters who have been registered at the same address for 20 years or more.

• If you do not have one of the online application requirements, or if you prefer to apply on paper, click here to download, and print a Mail Ballot application. Complete, sign, and send the application to: Cook County Clerk’s Office Mail Voting Unit 69 W. Washington St., Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60602. Applications must be received by March 27, 2025

Visually impaired or print disabled voters may request an accessible mail ballot by calling 312.603.0976 or by emailing visuallyimpaired.voting@cookcountyil.gov.

Cook County is now offering Permanent Vote By Mail.  This option will allow you to apply once to vote by mail in all subsequent elections held in Cook County. You will still have the option to vote by mail in a single election if you so choose.

Please note: If you change your voting residence and move within Suburban Cook County, you must re-register at your new address.  Your permanent vote by mail status will remain the same and be updated to the new address.  

If you would like to change your permanent vote by mail option at any time, please contact the Cook County Clerk’s Office Mail Voting unit at 312.603.0946 or email us at mail.voting@cookcountyil.gov.

Completed Mail Ballots can be returned to anyMail Ballot Drop Box location at most Early Voting Locations including the Morton Grove Civic Center or mailed to Cook County Clerk’s Office Mail Voting Unit 69 W. Washington St., Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60602.

BALLOTS MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 1, 2025 - ELECTION DAY AND RECEIVED BY APRIL 15, 2025

You can check on the status of your Mail Ballot by clicking here

Voters who live overseas or are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces may register to vote and apply for a mail ballot by completing a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA). Click here for more information.

Unless you require assistance, do not let anyone else mark your ballot; do not let anyone force or coerce you into voting for any candidate; and do not let anyone, other than a close relative or authorized messenger, mail, deliver or handle your voted ballot.

Please note: Making a false statement to obtain a mail ballot or soliciting someone to do so is considered vote fraud, a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison. Call 312.603.0942 to report vote fraud.

All Voters can Early Vote. You do not need to provide an excuse or reason why you cannot vote on Election Day

Beginning March 5, 2025 Early Voting will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Skokie Court House, at all suburban Cook County Circuit Courthouse locations and in downtown Chicago at 69 W. Washington. 

Early Voting will take place from March 7 – March 31 at the Morton Grove Civic Center and all Suburban Cook County Early Voting locations.   Early Voting locations and hours can be found here. 

Usually, You do NOT need a government-issued photo ID to Early Vote, but it is helpful if there is a question about your voter's registration, address or signature.  Providing an ID can also speed up the process because ID card readers are available the Early Voting site.

YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE AT ALL EARLY VOTE SITES. If you need to register to vote  for the first time or file an address change you must present two forms of ID, one of which shows your current address

Election Day is April 1, 2025. Polls are open from 7;00am to 8:00 pm

On Election Day , you must vote at your Precinct's Polling Place. To find your Polling Place click here.

Your Voter Information is a tool that provides key information unique to your voting address or you.

By clicking this link you can find:

• the location, hours and accessibility of your polling place,

• the status of your Voter Registration,

• the status of your Mail Ballot.

• the status of status, your Early Voting status,

• the location of your Polling Place,

• the names of your elected officials, and

• a sample ballot.

• and see a sample Ballot.

Learn how to use the Voter Information Tool by watching this video

If your voter registration record cannot be found or your eligibility to vote is questioned at your polling place on election day, you may still cast a provisional ballot.

You can vote with aProvisional Ballot if:

If you are required to show proof of your identification (because an election judge challenges your signature, or because you registered by mail, but you did not bring ID to the polling place on Election Day), you can still vote by a Provisional Ballot.

In that case you must bring your identification to the Cook County Clerk's downtown Chicago office (69 W. Washington St., Room 500) or you can fax a photocopy of your ID to the Clerk's office at (312) 603-9786 by 7 p.m. the Thursday after Election Day.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

• a current and valid photo ID

• a copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck

• other government document showing your name and address

*In this instance, you must supply the Clerk's office with a copy of acceptable identification

f you need a ride to your polling place email the Action Party at ActionPartyofMG@gmail.com. We suggest you send this email at least by the day before you would like to Vote.

You can search online or call (312) 603-0987 to check if your polling place is accessible.

If you anticipate having difficulty entering your polling place, notify the Clerk's office (312) 603-0987 at least 24 hours in advance to request Election Day assistance. The Clerk's office will arrange to have election judges help you enter the room where voting takes place.

You may also request to have election materials brought out to you in your parked vehicle on Election Day. Election judges will provide you with a paper ballot at a curbside or other location outside your polling  place. Please call ((312) 603-0987) or email (Accessibility.Info@cookcountyil.gov) the Clerk's office at least a week before Election Day to request curbside voting.