Illinois Voting Requirements

You must be a United States Citizen.

You must turn 18 on or before the date of the General Election. Seventeen year-olds may register prior to and vote in primary elections if they will be 18 by the next General Election.

You must live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.

You must not be serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution as a result of a conviction.

You may not claim the right to vote anywhere else.

Register to Vote

Register In Person

Did you know that you can register to vote at the library? It only takes a few minutes, and all you need are two forms of identification. At least one form must include a current residence (i.e. driver’s license, check book, utility bill, a postmarked piece of mail, etc.). Ask about voter registration at the Circulation Desk, and a staff member will be glad to help you. You can also register at the East Peoria City Clerk’s Office and the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office, listed below. During the Grace Period for registration (end of the normal registration period until one day before the election), you may register at the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office and vote in-person at the same time.

Always check your status before registration deadlines and remember to update your registration if you’ve changed your name or moved to a new address: ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx.

East Peoria City Clerk’s Office
401 W Washington Street
East Peoria, IL 61611
309-698-4715

Tazewell County Clerk’s Office
11 S. 4th Street #203
Pekin, IL 61554
309-477-2267

Register Online

A super easy way to register! Visit ova.elections.il.gov/ to get started.

Register by Mail

Download the PDF and then mail the completed form to:

Tazewell County Clerk’s Office
11 S. 4th Street #203
Pekin, IL 61554

English PDF

Spanish PDF

Motor Voter/Automatic Voter Registration

The Motor Voter service (or Automatic Voter Registration) is a bipartisan initiative to establish electronic voter registration at multiple Illinois state agencies, including at Secretary of State Driver’s Services facilities. Currently, you can automatically register when you obtain a REAL ID driver’s license or ID card at the DMV. You will not be registered to vote if you obtain a regular license /ID or choose to “opt out.” The program is still being rolled out at other state agencies. Visit the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State site for more information.

Same Day Voter Registration

Illinois law allows any qualified resident of the state to go to register to vote and cast a ballot on election day. To register, you must bring two pieces of identification: one must have your current address, and the other should be another form of ID. For more info, contact the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office at 309-477-2267.

Voting Rights After a Felony Conviction

You can vote in Illinois regardless of previous criminal history. Visit campaignlegal.org/restoreyourvote for more information.

How to Vote

Vote by Mail/Absentee Voting

Voting by mail is a safe and secure way to vote, and any registered Illinois voter may apply for an absentee ballot to vote by mail — no excuse required. You may request a ballot from the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office by phone, mail, or online form. When you request to vote by mail, you may now also request to stay on the permanent vote by mail list. Additional provisions and requirements apply to Military and Overseas Citizens.

Ballots may be returned by mail or delivered in person to the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office. To mail, you must affix postage, and the ballot must be postmarked and received within 14 days after the election in order to be counted. You may confirm receipt of your ballot by your election authority on their website or by calling their office.

Early Voting

In Illinois, early voting allows voters to cast a ballot in person at the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office or by mail before Election Day. You do not need an excuse to vote early. A valid ID is not required but can be helpful if there’s a question about your registration, address, or signature. Contact the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office at 309-477-2267 for additional locations or more information.

Voting on Election Day

Find your polling place here. On election day, head to your assigned polling location to cast your vote from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Tazewell County Polling Locations & Precinct Map

Voter Rights

  • You don’t need to present a photo ID to vote in Illinois. A poll worker should not ask you for ID except in a narrow range of circumstances. You may need an ID if:
    • An Election Judge challenges your right to vote
    • You registered to vote by mail and did not provide ID
    • If you are also registering to vote or changing your registration address on the day that you vote
  • On Election Day, you can cast your ballot after the polls close if you are in line at the time listed as closing.
  • You may bring written or printed materials into the voting booth to assist you.
  • If you are wearing campaign clothing, buttons, or stickers, you may be required to remove or cover them. You are not allowed to display campaign signs, pamphlets, or other materials.
  • You can request up to two hours off of work to go and vote in Illinois, if your work schedule prevents you from getting to the polls while they are open.
  • If you are denied the right to vote because you are challenged by a judge, your name does not appear on the roles, or you do not have ID (in the few circumstances where ID is required), you’re entitled to a provisional ballot. Be sure the poll worker gives you instructions about any steps you need to take in order to ensure that your ballot is counted.

IF YOU, OR ANYONE YOU KNOW, ENCOUNTERS PROBLEMS WHILE VOTING CALL: 1-866-687-8683 (866-OUR-VOTE).

Important Dates

August 7 – The first day to file an application for a vote by mail ballot with the Election Authority.

September 26 – First day of early voting at permanent election sites, which are open on weekends and holidays.

October 8 — Last day to register (or change address) by mail or register in-person at FDL.

October 9 — Grace period registration available at the Tazewell County Clerk’s Office.

October 21 – Last day to mail request for Vote by Mail Ballot.

October 31 — Last day to register online.

November 4 — Last day for early voting at Tazewell County Clerk’s Office.

November 5 — General Primary Election (Polls Open: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and last day to postmark mail ballot.

You can still register in-person on Election Day at Tazewell County Clerk’s Office and other designated locations.

Fact Checking

Annenberg Political Fact Check – Designed to help voters by “monitoring the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews, and news releases.” This site is updated even when it is not election season and includes information on special interest groups behind television ads.

Center for Public Integrity – A well documented investigative journalism organization and winner of the Pulitzer Prize in 2014 & 2017.

FactStream – An iOS app developed by the Reporter Lab at Duke University. App Summary: “FactStream helps you find the truth in American politics by bringing together the work of the three largest U.S. fact-checking organizations – the Washington Post, PolitiFact, and FactCheck.org. During major events such as speeches and debates, you can follow along as our partners fact-check in real time.”

Newsguard – A browser extension that provides an easy way to evaluate websites. “Green-Red ratings compiled by a team of trained journalists signal if a website is trying to get it right, has a hidden agenda, or knowingly publishes falsehoods or propaganda.”

Politifact – A fact-checking website founded by editors of Time Magazine and in conjunction with Congressional Quarterly.

More Resources

ACLU of Illinois – General voting information and specific information on voting rights for individuals who are disabled, transgender, students, homeless, non-English speaking, or have a criminal record.

East Peoria Voter and Election Information – Basic information about local elections and voter registration services.

Federal Voting Assistance Program – Federal voting assistance for service members, their families, and overseas citizens. Provides access to election officials and voting assistance officers to help navigate the absentee voting process.

Illinois State Board of Elections – A quick and easy way to find candidate filings, general election information, and to verify if you are registered to vote in Illinois.

Peoria County Election Commission – Voter registration and election information for residents of Peoria County.

Presidential Election Process – Learn about the Presidential election process, including the Electoral College, caucuses and primaries, and the national conventions. Includes a glossary of common terms used during election seasons.

Project Vote Smart – A non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office.

Tazewell County Clerk Elections Office – Local election information, voter registration, and election results.

TurboVote – A tool that makes voting easy by sending text or email messages verifying voter registration status, reminders about important election deadlines, and polling place location. Developed by the nonpartisan group Democracy Works.