Chicago Id Law: Voting Access Or Barrier?

In Chicago, voters are required to present ID at the polling station, but those who cannot do so may still cast a Provisional Ballot. This ballot will only be counted if the voter presents ID to the Chicago Election Board within seven days of the election. Ex-convicts who have been released from prison and meet all other requirements are eligible to register and vote in Illinois. To register, voters must be 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election and turn 18 on or before the date of the General Election.

Provisional ballots

In Chicago, voters who have moved to a new address at least 30 days before Election Day can vote at the precinct polling place for their new address. They can update their registration and vote with two forms of ID, at least one of which shows their current address. If a voter has moved within Chicago less than 30 days before Election Day, they can vote at the precinct polling place for their previous address.

Voters who are already registered and whose signature matches the one on file do not need to present ID. Ex-convicts who have been released from prison or jail and meet all other requirements are eligible to register and vote in Illinois.

In Illinois, voters in a Primary Election only vote on one ballot that lists the candidates for that one party. Voters are free to stick with or switch parties from election to election, and selections in the Primary do not affect how a person may vote in future elections.

Ex-convicts' voting rights

Ex-convicts who have been released from prison or jail and meet all other requirements are eligible to register and vote in Illinois. In Chicago, voters must be 17 years old on or before the date of the primary election and turn 18 on or before the date of the general election. 16-year-olds may pre-register to vote online. Voters must live in their precinct at least 30 days before the election and not be in prison or jail serving time for a conviction.

If a voter is already registered to vote and their signature matches the one on file, they do not need ID to vote. If they need ID but cannot present it, they may cast a Provisional Ballot. To count, the voter must present ID within seven days of the election to the Chicago Election Board.

Voters who have moved to a new address at least 30 days before Election Day may update their registration and vote at their new precinct polling place with two forms of ID, at least one of which shows their current address. Voters can also vote by mail by applying online or using a mail-in form.

Early voting and registration

In Chicago, voters who need ID but cannot present one may cast a Provisional Ballot. For this ballot to be counted, the voter must present ID within seven days of the election to the Chicago Election Board.

If you moved to your current address at least 30 days before Election Day, you can vote at the precinct polling place for your new/current address. You may update your registration and vote at your new precinct polling place with two forms of ID, at least one of which shows your current address. If you moved within Chicago less than 30 days before Election Day, you must vote at the precinct polling place for your previous address.

You do not need ID if you are already registered to vote and your signature matches the one on file.

All eligible voters in Chicago, including those who need to use Election Day registration to register for the first time, file a change of address, or file a name change, can vote. To register, you must be 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election and turn 18 on or before the date of the General Election. 16-year-olds may pre-register to vote online and will have their application held until they reach voting age.

There is In-Person Early Voting and Registration in Chicago, and any voter may Vote By Mail by applying online or using the mail-in form. The Board recommends applying to Vote By Mail early to make sure that voters have enough time to receive and return their ballots on or before Election Day.

Ex-convicts who have been released from prison or jail and who meet all other requirements are eligible to register and vote in Illinois.

Primary elections

In Chicago, voters in a Primary Election can vote on one ballot that lists the candidates for one party. Voters are free to stick with or switch parties from election to election, and their selections in the Primary do not affect how they may vote in any future elections. During a Primary Election, voters may request a specific party ballot when they go to vote in person, early, or when requesting a Vote By Mail ballot. When the time comes to select a ballot, voters may choose any party they wish.

Voters do not need to register for a political party as part of their voter registration unless they are on the Permanent Vote By Mail Roster. To vote, voters will need two forms of ID, one with their current address. A voter who needs ID but cannot present it may cast a Provisional Ballot.

Chicago's CityKey ID Cards can be used to register to vote, but voter-registration applications require applicants to attest that they are U.S. citizens. The applications also note potential fines and penalties if false information is provided. City officials have repeatedly said that the CityKey ID program does not change the state or federal laws requiring that voters be U.S. citizens.

Change of address

If you have moved to your current address at least 30 days before Election Day, you can vote at the precinct polling place for your new/current address. You can update your registration and vote at your new precinct polling place with two forms of ID, at least one of which shows your current address. If you moved within Chicago less than 30 days before Election Day, you can vote at the precinct polling place for your old address.

All eligible voters in Chicago can file a change of address. To register, you must be 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election and turn 18 on or before the date of the General Election.

Frequently asked questions