Voting Information

What to Expect:

Find the location of your polling place. This will be on your voter registration card or can be obtained by calling the Illinois State Board of Elections at (217) 782-4141 or visiting www.elections.il.gov. If you are not from Illinois, click HERE. The General Election is on November 2, 2010. Polling places are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

When you walk into the polling place, you will see a table with election judges. The election judges should have your registration information. The judges will ask for your name, find your registration card, and ask you to sign the card. They will then match your signature with the signature in their registration book. If they approve the match, the judges will then explain how to operate the voting machine, and direct you towards the next step in the process. If you do not understand, you have a right to ask questions at any time!

There may be a line, so plan on waiting. As long as you are in line by the time the polls close (7:00 pm), you are allowed to vote.

What to Bring:

Generally, you should not need to bring, or be asked to provide, any identification. However, if you are voting for the first time, or recently re-registered, you must show proof of identification: you should bring your voter registration card and one to two forms of ID that can confirm your name and current address, such as a driver’s license, state ID, or utility bill.

If You are Not Allowed to Vote:

If you have moved within the last 30 days, you must vote at your polling place for your previous address.

If your name is not in the registration book or your registration is challenged, you should verify that you are at the correct polling place. If you are in the wrong polling place, then poll workers will help direct you to the correct location. To find out where your poll is, you can call the Illinois State Board of Elections at (217) 782-4141, or
- If you live in the City of Chicago, call (312) 269-7900
- If you live in Cook County, call (312) 603-0906
- If you live in Kane County, call (630) 232-5990
- If you live in Aurora, call (630) 897-4030
If you are in the correct place, you have the right to fill out a provisional ballot. You would then need to provide additional proof of registration to the election authorities for your vote to be counted. To avoid this happening, make sure that the election authority has your correct registration information before you go to the polls. If you did not receive a voter registration card before the election, call the board of elections or county clerk in your area (at the phone numbers listed at the end of this section) to confirm your registration.

Your Rights as a Voter:

You have the right to vote without being subject to disturbances, intimidation, or discrimination.
You have the right to vote if you are in line by 7:00 pm.
Federal Law requires that all polling places be accessible to those with disabilities. If you need assistance, you have a right to ask for it!
If your registration is challenged, you have the right to vote by provisional ballot.
You have the right to vote at your old polling place if you have moved within 30 days of the election.
You have the right to request assistance in voting.
You have the right to bring sample ballots into the voting booth.
You have the right to secrecy of your ballot.
You have the right to review your ballot if you think you made a mistake.
You have the right to have your ballot counted fairly.
You have the right to bring your minor child into the voting booth with you, provided that he/she does not disturb the other voters.
You have the right to vote early. In Illinois, General Election early voting begin on October 11, 2010, and ends October 28, 2010. For more information, visit www.elections.il.gov.

Just in Case:

If you have witnessed any effort to commit fraud or corruption, call the Illinois State Board of Elections Complaint Hotline: (866) 513-1121.

If you have experience discrimination or intimidation while voting, call the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice: (800) 253-3931.