What are Electronic Automatic Registration Updates?

The State Board of Elections is required to cross reference voter registration information from the United States Post Office National Change of Address (NCOA) database and the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC) and present potential matches to Illinois Election Authorities for an automatic update of registration information, such as address (10 ILCS 5/1A-16.8).

How do Electronic Automatic Registration Updates work?

If you are identified as a potential update by either NCOA or ERIC within your current election jurisdiction, your election authority is required to afford you the opportunity to reject the change in address through a non-forwardable mailing to your new registration address. If you are identified as a potential update by either NCOA or ERIC within a new election jurisdiction, your new election authority is required to afford you the opportunity to reject the change in address through a non-forwardable mailing to your new registration address, as well as a forwardable mailing to your previous registration address from your previous election authority. If you receive the mailing, but do not reject the update, your voter registration address will be automatically updated to your new address.

What happens if I show up to vote and find out my voter registration address has been updated because of an Electronic Automated Registration Update?

If you show up to vote from your prior registration address and find out your registration address has been automatically updated from another address within the State of Illinois, you will be permitted to vote a full ballot if you attest your prior address is your true current address and the Election Authority is able to confirm your prior registration. If your election authority is unable to confirm your prior voter registration status, you may participate in grace period voter registration (an extension of the regular registration period, whereby you a permitted to register to vote and cast a ballot with two forms of identification, and one form listing your current address).

What can I do if I find out my address has been automatically updated prior to voting and I want to revert my registration back to my prior address?

You should contact your local election authority.

If you have any questions about Electronic Automated Registration Updates, or any other election related laws, please contact us.
Click here for Applicable Law: Public Act 100-0464 [10 ILCS 5/1A-16.8]
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