Regular elections are held on the third Tuesday in March (primary) and the first
Tuesday after the first Monday in November (general) of even-numbered years. In
odd-numbered years, some jurisdictions have a primary on the last Tuesday in February
and all jurisdictions have an election on the first Tuesday of April (consolidated).
The polls are open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Each voter must vote at his/her precinct
polling place. Check your polling place location with the
election authority
for your jurisdiction.
Prior to Election Day, voters should familiarize themselves with their
voting rights
and related voter information.
Each jurisdiction selects a
voting system
from among the systems that have been tested and certified for use in Illinois by
the State Board of Elections. Each voter is entitled to receive
instruction
on the use of the voting equipment. Disabled voters may receive
assistance in voting
either from the election judges or from a person of the voter's choice.
Voters whose registration is active at their residence will receive a full ballot
which includes all offices and public requests applicable to that address. Voters
who have moved and not updated their registration record should check with their
election authority (county clerk or board of election commissioners) to determine
what ballot they may receive on Election Day.
If a voter's name doesn't appear on the official voter list or if his/her vote is
successfully challenged, he may cast a
provisional ballot
. A voter who casts a provisional ballot may check the
status of that ballot
to determine whether it was tabulated.
Candidates, political parties and civic organizations are entitled to appoint
pollwatchers
to observe the conduct of procedures in the polling place. Voters also play a key
role in helping guarantee fair elections by reporting
fraudulent activities
in or near the polling place.