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Vote on Election Day




What to expect





Election workers are trained to answer your questions and help you, if you ask them for assistance. Learn more about accessible voting, including curbside voting, in Illinois County.

Voting on Election Day





The election workers must determine if you are registered to vote and in your assigned polling place.

An election worker will ask you to say:
  • Your name
  • Your current residential address
  • Your party affiliation, if it is a primary election

Election workers determine your eligibility by reviewing a database using the information you tell them.

 If you are eligible, you:
  1. Sign your name.
  2. Receive your ballot.  
  3. Vote your ballot in a private voting booth.
  4. Review your ballot. Ask for a new ballot if you make a mistake.
  5. Place your ballot in the voting machine.
  6. Receive your "I voted" sticker.
 How to mark your ballot
  • Mark your ballot using a black ballpoint pen.
  • To vote for a candidate, completely darken the oval next to the candidate's name.
  • To vote on any measure, completely darken the oval next to the word Yes or the word No.
  • To vote for a write-in candidate, write the person's name on the blank line then completely darken the oval beside the written name. Write-in votes will only be counted for candidates who qualify.
  • If you make a mistake, you can request a replacement ballot by asking an election worker.

 Review your ballot
  • If you vote for more candidates than allowed or if you vote both Yes and No on a measure, your vote will not count for that candidate or measure.
  • You do not have to vote on all contests. Those you do vote on will still count.
  • Check both sides of your ballot for voting contests.

Registering on Election Day





If you are not registered to vote on Election Day, you have the opportunity to register and vote at your assigned polling place. Your assigned polling place is based on your home address. Please contact our office to learn about your assigned polling place.

You need to complete the voter registration application and provide two forms of acceptable identification at your assigned polling place.

To register you must:
  • Be a US citizen.
  • Be at least 18 years old by Election Day; 17 years old to vote in a General Primary if you will be 18 years old by the following General Election.
  • Be resident of the precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
  • Not be in jail.
  • Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

A new voter who registers during the grace period must present two forms of identification, at least one of which shows the current address. 

Acceptable forms of identification include:
  • Driver's license
  • State identification card
  • Passport
  • Current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck stub, or other government document that shows your name and address.

Once you are registered to vote, you are eligible to receive and vote a ballot at the same location.

Provisional voting






If your registration record cannot be found or your eligibility to vote is questioned at the polls on Election Day, you may still cast a provisional ballot.

By implementing provisional voting as part of the Help America Vote Act, the Illinois County Clerk's office ensures that all qualified voters have the opportunity to cast ballots.

When a provisional ballot is used

An election judge will issue you a provisional ballot at your polling place if:

  • Your name does not appear on the lists of registered voters for the precinct.
  • Your voting status has been challenged by an election judge, poll watcher or another voter and a majority of election judges agree.
  • A court order is issued instructing your polling place to remain open after 7 p.m. (Everyone voting after 7 p.m. must cast provisional ballots if this occurs).
  • You are required to show identification because you registered by mail, but you did not bring ID to the polling place on Election Day*.

*In this instance, you must supply the Clerk's office with a copy of acceptable identification by 7 p.m. the Thursday after Election Day. Bring the ID to the Clerk's office or fax a photocopy of your ID to the Clerk's office.

Acceptable forms of identification include:

  • A current and valid photo ID
  • A copy of a utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck 
  • Other government document showing your name and address

What to expect if you vote provisionally

1. Fill out and sign the provisional voter affidavit form stating that you believe you are:

  • Registered to vote
  • Eligible to vote in the election
  • Live in the precinct where you are voting

2. You will receive a copy of the affidavit form.




3. An election judge will note on the affidavit the reason(s) you were issued a provisional ballot.



4. The election judge will issue you a provisional ballot.

 A provisional ballot includes all offices that are on the regular ballot, but is counted only if the Clerk's office can verify your registration.

5. Proceed to a private voting booth and vote your ballot.



6. After voting, your votes will be secured and stored.

 What happens to your provisional ballot after Election day

Check the status of your provisional ballot on the Illinois state election website. 



Where to vote on Election Day