Voter Registration & Info

Voter Registration & Information

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Important Dates

Election related dates for voters so you don't miss any important deadlines.

Upcoming Election Dates

March 19, 2024
Presidential Primary Election
November 5, 2024
Presidential General Election

Illinois Primary Dates

February 20, 2024
In-Person Voter Registration Deadline
March 3, 2024
Online Voter Registration Deadline
March 4, 2024
Early voting starts at polling places
March 14, 2024
Mail Ballot request deadline, online or postmarked mail-in

March 18, 2024
Mail Ballot request deadline, in-person
March 18, 2024
Last day of early voting
March 19, 2024
Last day Mail Ballots can be postmarked
March 19, 2024
Election Day

Presidential Election Dates

October 8, 2024
In-Person Voter Registration Deadline
October 20, 2024
Online Voter Registration Deadline
October 21, 2024
Early voting starts at polling places
October 31, 2024
Mail Ballot request deadline, online or postmarked mail-in

November 4, 2024
Mail Ballot request deadline, in-person
November 4, 2024
Last day of early voting
November 5, 2024
Last day Mail Ballots can be postmarked
November 5, 2024
Election Day

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Voter Registration

Every voter must be registered to vote. Not sure if you're registered? Check am I registered?External Link Your registration is permanent unless you move or change your name. Not sure if you need to re-register? Check when to re-registerExternal Link.

How to Register

Online:

You can register online 16 days or more before an election.

By Mail:

You can register by mail (postmarked) no fewer than 28 days before an election.

English ApplicationPDF File
Solicitud en españolPDF File
Aplikacja hiszpańskaPDF File
Mail application to:
- Cook County Clerk’s Office
  69 W. Washington, Suite 500
  Chicago, IL 60602

In-person:

You can register in-person up to 28 days before an election.

Grace Period / Early voting / Election Day:

You can register in-person & vote in-person during early voting (at early voting locations) & on election day.

Early Voting SitesExternal Link
Election day registration is available only at your proper polling place
Look up polling placeExternal Link

Registration Requirements

To Register you must:

Be a U.S. citizen
Reside in the county for at least 30 days prior to the election
Be at least 18 years old by the general election

Bring two forms of ID:

Driver’s license
Social security card
Current utility bill
Credit card
Student identification card
Union membership card
See full listExternal Link

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Voting & Polling Places

Vote By Mail:

Any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot up to 5 days before an election.

Request an Absentee Ballot

Online ApplicationExternal Link
Permanent Vote By Mail OPT-INExternal Link
English ApplicationPDF File
Solicitud en españolPDF File
Aplikacja hiszpańskaPDF File
Mail Request to:

Cook County Clerk’s Office
Mail Voting Unit
69 W. Washington, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60602

Return an Absentee Ballot

Use return postage to mail Ballot back through the U.S. Postal ServiceExternal Link
Mail Ballot Drop Box LocationsExternal Link

Early Voting:

Voters do not need to provide an excuse or reason why they cannot vote on Election Day.

Find an Early Voting LocationExternal Link
You can also register to vote during Early Voting with two forms of valid IDExternal Link

In-Person Voting:

Polling places are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless otherwise specified.

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Learn About Candidates

Find unbiased information about candidates and issues on the ballot to make educated voting choices. Some information may not be available until closer to an election date.

Look up Candidates

Judicial Candidate Qualifications

Non-partisan Election Research Tools

Voting Assistance & Helpful Links

Accessibility & Special Populations

Voting Assistance & Accessibility External Link - Cook County Clerk’s office assistance

Registering at Home External Link - Registering to vote without leaving your home
Pre-Election Day Services External Link - Information about voting before Election Day
Polling Place Access External Link - Entering your polling place
Polling Place Services External Link - Receiving assistance on Election Day
Language Assistance External Link - Language options in the polling place

Nursing Home and Hospital Voting External Link - Arrange to have a ballot delivered to you at the hospital
Overseas and Military Voters External Link - Active U.S. Armed Forces may register to vote and apply for a mail ballot by completing a Federal Postcard Application
Visually Impaired & Print Disabled Voters External Link - Request an accessible mail ballot
Where’s My Illinois Refund? External Link - Find out if the Illinois Department of Revenue has initiated the refund process

Election Authorities

Cook County Clerk’s Office Elections External Link - The Cook County Clerkʼs office is the chief election authority for suburban Cook County, including Rolling Meadows

Federal Election Commission External Link - Explore legal resources, campaign finance data, and help for candidates and committees
Illinois State Board of Elections External Link - A quick and easy way to find candidate filings, general election information, and to verify if you are registered to vote in Illinois
USA.gov External Link - An interagency portal of the United States government including information on voting and the election process

Election Resources

Cook County Voting Portal External Link - Find your polling location, sample ballots for upcoming elections and your elected officials
Election Results External Link - Unofficial and official results from the Illinois State Board of Elections
Election Statistics External Link - The Clerk of the House has collected and published the official vote counts for federal elections from 1920 to present
Find My District External Link - See government districts for your address on a map, and explore district boundary lines
U.S. Vote Foundation External Link - Online tools to assist US citizens living anywhere in the world to register to vote and request their absentee ballot using their state’s specific voter forms
Voting Instructions and Assistance External Link - Helpful information from the Illinois State Board of Elections

In the Collection

To browse books on voting issues and the history of voting in the library, ask for help at the Adult Reference Desk.

Voting Book List External Link

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Online Resources

You will need your Rolling Meadows Library card to access many of our online resources if you are not using them in the Library. Need help? Stop by or call the Reference Desk at 847-259-6050 x130.

See every online resource the Library has to offer on the A–Z Online Resources page.

Use from home = Use from home

Library Card Required = Library card required

America’s News

Use from home Library Card Required Current and archived full-text articles from news sources nationwide. Browse topics like midterm elections, electoral college, voting by mail, and more.

Go Now External Link

History Reference Center

Use from home Library Card Required Full-text journals, magazines, reference books and thousands of primary source documents that cover election topics including interest groups, lobbying, and political parties.

Go Now External Link

Points of View Reference Center

Use from home Library Card Required A balance of materials from all viewpoints about controversial issues including topics like campaign finance, gerrymandering, voting technology, and more.

Go Now External Link

Explore More Helpful Resources

If you didn't find what you needed on this page, we have more resources for politics & government, local histor & public records, legal forms & reference, and more.