yOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE

Whatever your views or party affiliation, LWV Wilmette wants to ensure that YOUR voice is heard. We are a non-partisan organization that can help you become "Vote Ready."

FAQ

HOW DO I REGISTER TO VOTE? WHAT FORMS OF ID DO I NEED?

In Illinois, you can register in person or online. For in person registration, you must show two forms of ID. One needs to be a photo ID such as drivers license, state ID or passport. The other just needs to contain your name and address, such as school transcript or utility bill.
​To register online, go to www.ova.elections.il.gov.  You will need your Illinois drivers license or state ID number and date of issuance, the last four digits of your social security number, and your birth date.

HOW DO I VOTE IF I GO OUT-OF-STATE FOR COLLEGE

Some states have requirements similar to Illinois’, while other states differ. View a state-by-state graph of registration requirements.

DO I HAVE TO RE-REGISTER IN MY NEW STATE OR TOWN?

If you plan to vote in your new college state, you will need to register in that state. If you are going to college in Illinois and your address will change, you will simply need to update your registration. 

CAN I VOTE BY ABSENTEE BALLOT? HOW DO I GET ONE?

Yes, absentee ballots, also known as mail ballots, are accepted in Illinois and many states. In Illinois, you can request a mail ballot be sent to you. You may request a mail ballot as early as March 30th and by June 23rd (if request made by mail) or November 2nd (if request made in person). You must mail it in by Election Day and it must be received by the clerk’s office within fourteen days after Election Day. Due to Covid-19 related issues this year, these dates are subject to change and we recommend requesting and submitting your mail ballot as soon as possible once the voting window opens.

HOW DO I FIND MY POLLING PLACE (HOME STATE, OUT-OF-STATE)?

Typically, you will receive a voter card in the mail that lists your polling place. If it doesn’t, you can find your polling place at vote411.org or rockthevote.org. 

HOW DO I LEARN WHAT’S ON MY BALLOT? WHOM TO VOTE FOR?

There are a number of good resources. We particularly like these non-partisan sites: vote411.org, rockthevote.org and Voting In College.

I AM SCARED I WON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO ONCE I GET TO MY POLLING PLACE. IS THERE SOMEONE WHO CAN GO WITH ME OR WALK ME THROUGH IT?

The first time you vote, it may be helpful to go with an experienced voter - maybe a parent, sibling or friend. They can give you an idea of what to expect. Additionally, there are volunteers at each polling place who will check your registration, give you your ballot, and direct you to your voting booth. They can answer most questions you have.

DO I NEED TO SHOW ID AT THE POLLING PLACE? WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE A DRIVER’S LICENSE?

It is best to take a photo ID with you when you vote. A driver’s license works as well as a passport, state ID and school photo ID.

WHAT CAN I DO IF I SHOWED UP TO VOTE AND WAS TURNED AWAY BECAUSE I HAD THE WRONG ID, SIGNATURE DIDN’T MATCH, ETC?

If your registration record cannot be found or your eligibility to vote is questioned at the polls, you may still cast a Provisional Ballot. A Provisional Ballot includes all offices that are on the regular ballot, and is counted only after the Clerk's office can verify your registration.
​If your Provisional Ballot is determined to be eligible, it will be counted in the official vote total which is counted within two weeks after Election Day. If your Provisional Ballot is deemed not eligible, it will not be counted. The information you provided for it will be used to register you. You will receive a voter identification card in the mail that will enable you to vote in the next election.

get vote ready:

• Plan for how you will vote now
• Make sure that you are registered
• Locate your polling place
• Know your ballot
• Understand the issues and candidate positions

---

high school voters

Talk with your parents or a trusted, experienced voter to get "Vote Ready."  Make a plan for going to the poll together - before or after school, during your lunch period, etc.  If you haven't already registered, you can do it online here

---

COLLEGE VOTERS: illinois

If you are going to college in Illinois, you can maintain your Illinois voter registration and get all the info you need at the Illinois State Board of Elections website. 

Illinois makes it easy to vote:

• you may apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot now through the Cook County Board of Elections
• you may vote early at select polling places OR
• you may vote at your assigned polling place on election day OR
• you may even vote through “grace period registration” (by showing up with proper identification and registering and voting on the spot).  

---

college VOTERS: out-of-state

If you are attending college out of state, you may still vote in Illinois or choose to vote in your new state (you can vote in either, but not both).

• To cast an Illinois ballot, you may apply for a Vote-by-Mail ballot now here; know that the ballot will be mailed to your college address. 
• To vote outside of Illinois, you will need to register in your new state. We advise doing so as soon as possible, as some states have different requirements than Illinois, such as requiring an in-state driver’s license or proof of residency. 

---

resources

​Great non-partisan resources for state-by-state voting information include:

rock the vote

vote 411

voting in college