To read Illinois Voting Do’s and Don’ts on Election Day, click here.
Hello Illinois – Election Day is here. And it’s time to vote.
Whether this is your first time voting in Illinois or your 40th time, let’s review some of the “do’s” and “don’ts” before stepping to the polls on November 8.
Bring ID – If you are registering to vote or need to change your address
If you are taking advantage of the grace period registration, you must bring two forms of identification, one with your address, such as a utility bill, bank statement, pay stub, etc.
If you are already registered to vote at your current address, you do not need a government-issued photo ID to vote under Illinois law. But it can be helpful to bring one in case questions about registration, address, signature, or more arise during the voting process.
If you are not sure whether or not you are registered to vote in Illinois, you can check here by entering your name, address, and date of birth. To register to vote in Illinois, you must be a United States citizen, be 18 years old on the date of the general election, and not be serving a sentence in a penal institution due to a criminal conviction.
If you’re not registered yet, it’s not too late.
Although the deadline to register online was October 23, you can still take advantage of the grace period to register in person during early voting or at your polling place on Election Day. To do so, you must bring two forms of identification, one with your current address (such as a utility bill), and be prepared to cast your ballot at the same time.
If you’ve moved since you last voted, you can also use grace period registration to update your registration to your current address. can find a full list of locations where you can take advantage of the grace period to register here.
Do not take a selfie with the ballot
In Illinois, state law prohibits ballot selfies. It is a felony to mark your ballot so someone else can see how you voted, which carries a possible prison sentence of one to three years.
State election officials have long said it’s “unlikely” anyone will be prosecuted for a ballot selfie, but you should play it safe and take a photo of your “I voted” sticker or pose next to the polling station sign. polling place.
Yes you can bring notes to the voting booth
You are legally allowed to bring written or printed materials into the voting booth to assist you. This includes items on your phone.
Don’t get out of line, even if the polls have closed
Polls open at 6 a.m. statewide and will remain open until 7 p.m.
But remember: if you are ONLINE when the polls close, you can still vote! So if he rushes to your polling place at the last minute, don’t worry if he sees a line, and don’t let anyone try to talk you out of casting your ballot.
Yes you can ask for help if you need it
Multiple poll workers are on site at each polling location to assist voters with questions that arise. They will also help direct you how to mail your ballot.
While millions of people will cast their ballots without any problems, some may find themselves questioned about their eligibility to vote, experience voter intimidation, or have problems at their polling place.
If you run into any issues or just have questions about the process, we encourage you to call the Election Protection hotlines at:
- 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683): English
- 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682): Spanish/English
- 1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683): Asian/English languages
- 1-844-YallaUS (1-844-925-5287): Arabic/English
The hotline is run by a nonpartisan coalition of more than 100 organizations, led by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.
Do not wear clothing related to political parties or political campaigns
According to the State Board of Elections, residents wearing campaign-related clothing or material may be required to remove or cover them while voting. No campaign signs or flyers may be displayed.
pay attention to the results
Live Election Day coverage will air on Telemundo Chicago and NBC 5 throughout the night and you can follow the election results live right here at TelemundoChicago.com or through the Telemundo Chicago app, where you can turn on notifications to be the first to know about the winners of the biggest races.
In short:
- You do need to bring a photo ID (two if you are checking in or changing your address)
- Yes, you can take your notes to the voting booth and ask for help if you need it.
- You may not take selfies with the ballot or wear clothing associated with political parties or campaigns