Article 4

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10 ILCS 5/4-1 — Voters Must Be Registered

Except as provided in this Article 4, it is unlawful for any person residing in a county containing a population of less than 500,000, to vote at any election at which any officers are to be nominated or elected, or at any election at which any questions of public policy are to be voted on, unless such person is at the time of such election a registered voter under the provisions of this Article 4.

The provisions of this Article do not apply to electors voting in an election of any soil and water conservation district or drainage district or to electors residing in municipalities in this State which have adopted "An Act regulating the holding of elections and declaring the result thereof in cities, villages and incorporated towns in this State", approved June 19, 1885, as amended, or which have adopted Articles 6. this link opens in a new browser tab., 14. this link opens in a new browser tab. and 18. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Act. This Article shall not apply to electors voting pursuant to Article 20. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Act.

The provisions of this Article 4, so far as they require the registration of voters as a condition to their being allowed to vote shall not apply to persons otherwise entitled to vote who have made and subscribed to the affidavit provided in paragraph (b) of Section 17-10 of this Act. this link opens in a new browser tab..

10 ILCS 5/4-2 — Residential Requirement

No person shall be entitled to be registered in and from any precinct unless such person shall by the date of the election next following have resided in the State and within the precinct 30 days and be otherwise qualified to vote at such election. Every applicant who shall be 18 years of age or over on the day of the next election shall be permitted to register, if otherwise qualified.

To constitute residence under this Act, Article 3. this link opens in a new browser tab. is controlling.

10 ILCS 5/4-3 — Precinct Re-Reregistration

10 ILCS 5/4-4 — County Registration Officer

The county clerk shall be ex officio the registration officer of such county and shall have full charge and control of the registration of voters within such county, where this Article 4 is in effect.

For the 3 days of any 1969 and 1970 re-registration and for precinct registrations hereinafter provided, 2 of the judges of election, no more than one from the same political party, theretofore duly appointed and confirmed as such and acting in each precinct, shall be designated by the county clerk to constitute a board of registration for each precinct, respectively, and each of such judges of election so designated shall serve as a judge of registration therein.

In counties over 1,000,000 population town or road district clerks, city or village clerks, their duly authorized deputies approved by the county clerk, and employees of the office of the county clerk may be appointed by the county clerk as deputy registration officers.

Such clerks appointed as deputy registration officers may accept registration of voters at their offices at any time that such registrations may be accepted by the county clerk, but shall not accept such registrations at any other place. Such deputy registration officers shall return any registrations accepted by them to the county clerk within 7 days after any registration is accepted by them.

Registration officers, deputy registration officers and judges of registration shall be officers of the court and the provisions of the laws of this State as to vacancies, removal and control (except as hereinafter provided), and punishment in case of misbehavior of judges of election shall apply to such registration officials.

Each registration officer including officers and judges of registration shall before entering upon his duties take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:

This oath shall be administered by the county clerk, or by one of his deputies, or by any person qualified to take acknowledgments and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the county clerk, except that judges of registration may administer such oath or affirmation to each other and such oath of office and all affidavits which have been signed and sworn to before them shall be returned to the office of the county clerk in an envelope provided for that purpose.

No registration official for a precinct or other place of registration shall, without urgent necessity, absent himself from the place of registration or revision of registration upon any day of registration or revision of registration whereby less than the number of persons necessary to conduct the registration or revision of registration shall be present during such hours of registration or revision of registration.

10 ILCS 5/4-5 — 1942 Registration not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-5.01 — 1970 Registration [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-6 — Additional Method for Precinct Registration

For the purpose of registering voters under this Article in addition to the method provided for precinct registration under Section 4-7, the office of the county clerk shall be open every day, except Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Saturdays the hours of registration shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and such additional hours as the county clerk may designate. If, however, the county board otherwise duly regulates and fixes the hours of opening and closing of all county offices at the county seat of any county, such regulation shall control and supersede the hours herein specified.

Close of Registration

There shall be no registration at the office of the county clerk or at the office of municipal and township or road district clerks serving as deputy registrars during the 27 days preceding any regular or special election at which the cards provided in this Article are used, until the 2nd day following such regular or special election; provided, that if by reason of the proximity of any such elections to one another the effect of this provision would be to close registrations for all or any part of the 10 days immediately prior to such 27 day period, the county clerk shall accept, solely for use in the subsequent and not in any intervening election, registrations and transfers of registration within the period from the 27th to the 38th days, both inclusive, prior to such subsequent election.

In any election called for the submission of the revision or alteration of, or the amendments to the Constitution, submitted by a Constitutional Convention, the final day for registration at the office of the election authority charged with the printing of the ballot of this election shall be the 15th day prior to the date of election.

Any qualified person residing within the county or any portion thereof subject to this Article may register or re-register with the county clerk.

Each county clerk shall appoint one or more registration or re-registration teams for the purpose of accepting the registration or re-registration of any voter who files an affidavit that he is physically unable to appear at any appointed place of registration or re-registration. Each team shall consist of one member of each political party having the highest and second highest number of registered voters in the county. The county clerk shall designate a team to visit each person with a disability and shall accept the registration or re-registration of each such person as if he had applied for registration or re-registration at the office of the county clerk.

As used in this Article, "deputy registrars" and "registration officers" mean any person authorized to accept registrations of electors under this Article.

10 ILCS 5/4-6.1 — Additional Methods of Registration

In addition to registration at the office of the county clerk, and at the offices of municipal and township or road district clerks, each county clerk shall provide for the following additional methods of registration:

• (1) the appointment of deputy registrars as provided in Section 4-6.2; and
• (2) the establishment of temporary places of registration, as provided in Section 4-6.3.

Each county clerk may provide for precinct registration pursuant to Section 4-7.

10 ILCS 5/4-6.2 — District Registrar

• (a) The county clerk shall appoint all municipal and township or road district clerks or their duly authorized deputies as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of all qualified residents of the State.

  The county clerk shall appoint all precinct committeepersons in the county as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State, except during the 27 days preceding an election.

  The county clerk shall appoint each of the following named persons as deputy registrars upon the written request of such persons:

  • 1. The chief librarian, or a qualified person designated by the chief librarian, of any public library situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State, at such library.
  • 2. The principal, or a qualified person designated by the principal, of any high school, elementary school, or vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State, at such school. The county clerk shall notify every principal and vice-principal of each high school, elementary school, and vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction of their eligibility to serve as deputy registrars and offer training courses for service as deputy registrars at conveniently located facilities at least 4 months prior to every election.
  • 3. The president, or a qualified person designated by the president, of any university, college, community college, academy or other institution of learning situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State, at such university, college, community college, academy or institution.
  • 4. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide labor organization, or a reasonable number of qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State.
  • 5. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide State civic organization, as defined and determined by rule of the State Board of Elections, or qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State. In determining the number of deputy registrars that shall be appointed, the county clerk shall consider the population of the jurisdiction, the size of the organization, the geographic size of the jurisdiction, convenience for the public, the existing number of deputy registrars in the jurisdiction and their location, the registration activities of the organization and the need to appoint deputy registrars to assist and facilitate the registration of non-English speaking individuals. In no event shall a county clerk fix an arbitrary number applicable to every civic organization requesting appointment of its members as deputy registrars. The State Board of Elections shall by rule provide for certification of bonafide State civic organizations. Such appointments shall be made for a period not to exceed 2 years, terminating on the first business day of the month following the month of the general election, and shall be valid for all periods of voter registration as provided by this Code during the terms of such appointments.
  • 6. The Director of Healthcare and Family Services, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at public aid offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such public aid office.
  • 7. The Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at unemployment offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such unemployment office.
  • 8. The president of any corporation as defined by the Business Corporation Act of 1983, or a reasonable number of employees designated by such president, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State.

  If the request to be appointed as deputy registrar is denied, the county clerk shall, within 10 days after the date the request is submitted, provide the affected individual or organization with written notice setting forth the specific reasons or criteria relied upon to deny the request to be appointed as deputy registrar.

  The county clerk may appoint as many additional deputy registrars as he considers necessary. The county clerk shall appoint such additional deputy registrars in such manner that the convenience of the public is served, giving due consideration to both population concentration and area. Some of the additional deputy registrars shall be selected so that there are an equal number from each of the 2 major political parties in the election jurisdiction. The county clerk, in appointing an additional deputy registrar, shall make the appointment from a list of applicants submitted by the Chair of the County Central Committee of the applicant's political party. A Chair of a County Central Committee shall submit a list of applicants to the county clerk by November 30 of each year. The county clerk may require a Chair of a County Central Committee to furnish a supplemental list of applicants.

  Deputy registrars may accept registrations at any time other than the 27 day period preceding an election. All persons appointed as deputy registrars shall be registered voters within the county and shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:

  "I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of deputy registrar to the best of my ability and that I will register no person nor cause the registration of any person except upon his personal application before me.

  SIGNATURE

  (Signature Deputy Registrar)"

  This oath shall be administered by the county clerk, or by one of his deputies, or by any person qualified to take acknowledgement of deeds and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the county clerk.

  Appointments of deputy registrars under this Section, except precinct committeepersons, shall be for 2-year terms, commencing on December 1 following the general election of each even-numbered year; except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be until December 1st following the next general election. Appointments of precinct committeepersons shall be for 2-year terms commencing on the date of the county convention following the general primary at which they were elected. The county clerk shall issue a certificate of appointment to each deputy registrar, and shall maintain in his office for public inspection a list of the names of all appointees.

• (b) The county clerk shall be responsible for training all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a), at times and locations reasonably convenient for both the county clerk and such appointees. The county clerk shall be responsible for certifying and supervising all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a). Deputy registrars appointed under subsection (a) shall be subject to removal for cause.
• (c) Completed registration materials under the control of deputy registrars, appointed pursuant to subsection (a), shall be returned to the appointing election authority by first-class mail within 2 business days or personal delivery within 7 days, except that completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars during the period between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the appointing election authority within 48 hours after receipt thereof. The completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars on the 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars within 24 hours after receipt thereof. Unused materials shall be returned by deputy registrars appointed pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection (a), not later than the next working day following the close of registration.
• (d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must provide any additional forms requested by any deputy registrar regardless of the number of unaccounted registration forms the deputy registrar may have in his or her possession.
• (e) No deputy registrar shall engage in any electioneering or the promotion of any cause during the performance of his or her duties.
• (f) The county clerk shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the acts or omissions of any deputy registrar. Such deputy registrars shall not be deemed to be employees of the county clerk.
• (g) Completed registration materials returned by deputy registrars for persons residing outside the county shall be transmitted by the county clerk within 2 days after receipt to the election authority of the person's election jurisdiction of residence.

10 ILCS 5/4-6.3 — Temporary Place of Registration

The county clerk may establish a temporary place of registration for such times and at such locations within the county as the county clerk may select. Notice of the time and place of registration under this Section shall be published by the county clerk in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county not less than 3 nor more than 15 days before the holding of such registration.

Temporary places of registration shall be established so that the areas of concentration of population or use by the public are served, whether by facilities provided in places of private business or in public buildings or in mobile units. Areas which may be designated as temporary places of registration include, but are not limited to, facilities licensed or certified pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, Soldiers' and Sailors' Homes, shopping centers, business districts, public buildings and county fairs.

Temporary places of registration shall be available to the public not less than 2 hours per year for each 1,000 population or fraction thereof in the county.

All temporary places of registration shall be manned by deputy county clerks or deputy registrars appointed pursuant to Section 4-6.2.

10 ILCS 5/4-7 — Registration Events

In counties having a re-registration in 1969 and 1970, there shall be 3 days of precinct re-registration in each precinct. The first of such 3 days shall be Friday, November 21, 1969; the second, Friday, December 19, 1969; and the third, Tuesday, January 15, 1970. In all counties over 1,000,000 population, or in counties under 1,000,000 population if the county clerk determines to have precinct registration in the county pursuant to Section 4-6.1 there shall be one day of precinct registration preceding each regular election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even numbered years, on Saturday preceding the Tuesday 6 weeks preceding the election. The county board shall have authority to designate 2 days of registration in each precinct, in which event the second day of precinct registration shall be 29 days before such election. On each day of registration, the registration places shall be opened at noon and remain open until 9:00 P.M. The provisions of Section 4-3 of this Article shall apply to the selection of places of registration or re-registration under this Section.

At least 20 days prior to a precinct registration or re-registration, the county clerk shall publish a notice of registration or re-registration, giving the dates, hours and places of registration or re-registration, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county, if there is one, or otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation in such county.

Pollwatchers At Registration Events

The election authorities shall issue credentials to registration day pollwatchers in the manner and on the terms prescribed in Section 17-23. this link opens in a new browser tab. with respect to pollwatchers at elections.

Registration day pollwatchers shall be allowed to see the names and addresses of the people who have registered during the course of the day.

No person shall, at any precinct registration or reregistration, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any precinct registration place or within 30 feet thereof. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any candidate from being present in or near any precinct registration place. All persons who register to vote at any precinct registration place must be residents of the precinct in which they register.

10 ILCS 5/4-8 — Registration Forms

The county clerk shall provide a sufficient number of blank forms for the registration of electors, which shall be known as registration record cards and which shall consist of loose leaf sheets or cards, of suitable size to contain in plain writing and figures the data hereinafter required thereon or shall consist of computer cards of suitable nature to contain the data required thereon. The registration record cards, which shall include an affidavit of registration as hereinafter provided, shall be executed in duplicate.

The registration record card shall contain the following and such other information as the county clerk may think it proper to require for the identification of the applicant for registration:

Each applicant for registration shall make an affidavit in substantially the following form:

Space shall be provided upon the face of each registration record card for the notation of the voting record of the person registered thereon.

Each registration record card shall be numbered according to precincts, and may be serially or otherwise marked for identification in such manner as the county clerk may determine.

The registration cards shall be deemed public records and shall be open to inspection during regular business hours, except during the 27 days immediately preceding any election. On written request of any candidate or objector or any person intending to object to a petition, the election authority shall extend its hours for inspection of registration cards and other records of the election authority during the period beginning with the filing of petitions under Sections 7-10, 8-8, 10-6 or 28-3 and continuing through the termination of electoral board hearings on any objections to petitions containing signatures of registered voters in the jurisdiction of the election authority. The extension shall be for a period of hours sufficient to allow adequate opportunity for examination of the records but the election authority is not required to extend its hours beyond the period beginning at its normal opening for business and ending at midnight. If the business hours are so extended, the election authority shall post a public notice of such extended hours. Registration record cards may also be inspected, upon approval of the officer in charge of the cards, during the 27 days immediately preceding any election.

Registration record cards shall also be open to inspection by certified judges and poll watchers and challengers at the polling place on election day, but only to the extent necessary to determine the question of the right of a person to vote or to serve as a judge of election. At no time shall poll watchers or challengers be allowed to physically handle the registration record cards.

Updated copies of computer tapes or computer discs or other electronic data processing information containing voter registration information shall be furnished by the county clerk within 10 days after December 15 and May 15 each year and within 10 days after each registration period is closed to the State Board of Elections in a form prescribed by the Board. For the purposes of this Section, a registration period is closed 27 days before the date of any regular or special election. Registration information shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: name, sex, residence, telephone number, if any, age, party affiliation, if applicable, precinct, ward, township, county, and representative, legislative and congressional districts. In the event of noncompliance, the State Board of Elections is directed to obtain compliance forthwith with this nondiscretionary duty of the election authority by instituting legal proceedings in the circuit court of the county in which the election authority maintains the registration information. The costs of furnishing updated copies of tapes or discs shall be paid at a rate of $.00034 per name of registered voters in the election jurisdiction, but not less than $50 per tape or disc and shall be paid from appropriations made to the State Board of Elections for reimbursement to the election authority for such purpose. The State Board shall furnish copies of such tapes, discs, other electronic data or compilations thereof to state political committees registered pursuant to the Illinois Campaign Finance Act or the Federal Election Campaign Act and to governmental entities, at their request and at a reasonable cost. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of voter registration information, the disclosure of electronic voter registration records to any person or entity other than to a State or local political committee and other than to a governmental entity for a governmental purpose is specifically prohibited except as follows: subject to security measures adopted by the State Board of Elections which, at a minimum, shall include the keeping of a catalog or database, available for public view, including the name, address, and telephone number of the person viewing the list as well as the time of that viewing, any person may view the centralized statewide voter registration list on a computer screen at the Springfield office of the State Board of Elections, during normal business hours other than during the 27 days before an election, but the person viewing the list under this exception may not print, duplicate, transmit, or alter the list. Copies of the tapes, discs, or other electronic data shall be furnished by the county clerk to local political committees and governmental entities at their request and at a reasonable cost. Reasonable cost of the tapes, discs, et cetera for this purpose would be the cost of duplication plus 15% for administration. The individual representing a political committee requesting copies of such tapes shall make a sworn affidavit that the information shall be used only for bona fide political purposes, including by or for candidates for office or incumbent office holders. Such tapes, discs or other electronic data shall not be used under any circumstances by any political committee or individuals for purposes of commercial solicitation or other business purposes. If such tapes contain information on county residents related to the operations of county government in addition to registration information, that information shall not be used under any circumstances for commercial solicitation or other business purposes. The prohibition in this Section against using the computer tapes or computer discs or other electronic data processing information containing voter registration information for purposes of commercial solicitation or other business purposes shall be prospective only from the effective date of this amended Act of 1979. Any person who violates this provision shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.

The State Board of Elections shall promulgate, by October 1, 1987, such regulations as may be necessary to ensure uniformity throughout the State in electronic data processing of voter registration information. The regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, specifications for uniform medium, communications protocol and file structure to be employed by the election authorities of this State in the electronic data processing of voter registration information. Each election authority utilizing electronic data processing of voter registration information shall comply with such regulations on and after May 15, 1988.

If the applicant for registration was last registered in another county within this State, he shall also sign a certificate authorizing cancellation of the former registration. The certificate shall be in substantially the following form:

The cancellation certificate shall be mailed immediately by the County Clerk to the County Clerk (or election commission as the case may be) where the applicant was formerly registered. Receipt of such certificate shall be full authority for cancellation of any previous registration.

10 ILCS 5/4-8.01 — Assisted Voting Registration

If an applicant for registration reports a permanent physical disability which would require assistance in voting, the county clerk shall mark all his registration cards in the right margin on the front of the card with a band of ink running the full margin which shall be of contrast to, and easily distinguishable from, the color of the card.

If an applicant for registration declares upon properly witnessed oath, with his signature or mark affixed, that he cannot read the English language and that he will require assistance in voting, all his registration cards shall be marked in a manner similar to the marking on the cards of a voter who requires assistance because of physical disability, except that the marking shall be of a different distinguishing color. Following each election the cards of any voter who has requested assistance as a voter with a disability, and has stated that the disability is permanent, or who has received assistance because of inability to read the English language, shall be marked in the same manner.

10 ILCS 5/4-8.02 — Assisted Voting on Voter Identification Card

Upon the issuance of a voter's identification card for persons with disabilities as provided in Section 19-12.1, the county clerk shall cause the identification number of such card to be clearly noted on all the registration cards of such voter.

10 ILCS 5/4-8.03 — Design of Registration Record Card [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-8.5 — Deputy Registrar Eligibility [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-9 — County Clerk Instructing Registrars In Their Duties [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-10 — Registration In Person

Except as herein provided, no person shall be registered, unless he applies in person to a registration officer, answers such relevant questions as may be asked of him by the registration officer, and executes the affidavit of registration. The registration officer shall require the applicant to furnish two forms of identification, and except in the case of a homeless individual, one of which must include his or her residence address. These forms of identification shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following: driver's license, social security card, public aid identification card, utility bill, employee or student identification card, lease or contract for a residence, credit card, or a civic, union or professional association membership card. The registration officer shall require a homeless individual to furnish evidence of his or her use of the mailing address stated. This use may be demonstrated by a piece of mail addressed to that individual and received at that address or by a statement from a person authorizing use of the mailing address. The registration officer shall require each applicant for registration to read or have read to him the affidavit of registration before permitting him to execute the affidavit.

One of the registration officers or a deputy registration officer, county clerk, or clerk in the office of the county clerk, shall administer to all persons who shall personally apply to register the following oath or affirmation:

The registration officer shall satisfy himself that each applicant for registration is qualified to register before registering him. If the registration officer has reason to believe that the applicant is a resident of a Soldiers' and Sailors' Home or any facility which is licensed or certified pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, the following question shall be put, "When you entered the home which is your present address, was it your bona fide intention to become a resident thereof?" Any voter of a township, city, village or incorporated town in which such applicant resides, shall be permitted to be present at the place of any precinct registration and shall have the right to challenge any applicant who applies to be registered.

In case the officer is not satisfied that the applicant is qualified he shall forthwith notify such applicant in writing to appear before the county clerk to complete his registration. Upon the card of such applicant shall be written the word "incomplete" and no such applicant shall be permitted to vote unless such registration is satisfactorily completed as hereinafter provided. No registration shall be taken and marked as incomplete if information to complete it can be furnished on the date of the original application.

Any person claiming to be an elector in any election precinct and whose registration card is marked "Incomplete" may make and sign an application in writing, under oath, to the county clerk in substance in the following form:

All such applications shall be presented to the county clerk or to his duly authorized representative by the applicant, in person between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day after the days on which the 1969 and 1970 precinct re-registrations are held but not on any day within 27 days preceding the ensuing general election and thereafter for the registration provided in Section 4-7 all such applications shall be presented to the county clerk or his duly authorized representative by the applicant in person between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day prior to 27 days preceding the ensuing general election. Such application shall be heard by the county clerk or his duly authorized representative at the time the application is presented. If the applicant for registration has registered with the county clerk, such application may be presented to and heard by the county clerk or by his duly authorized representative upon the dates specified above or at any time prior thereto designated by the county clerk.

Any otherwise qualified person who is absent from his county of residence either due to business of the United States or because he is temporarily outside the territorial limits of the United States may become registered by mailing an application to the county clerk within the periods of registration provided for in this Article, or by simultaneous application for registration by mail and vote by mail ballot as provided in Article 20 of this Code. opens in a new browser tab.

Upon receipt of such application the county clerk shall immediately mail an affidavit of registration in duplicate, which affidavit shall contain the following and such other information as the State Board of Elections may think it proper to require for the identification of the applicant:

Upon receipt of the executed duplicate affidavit of Registration, the county clerk shall transfer the information contained thereon to duplicate Registration Cards provided for in Section 4-8 of this Article and shall attach thereto a copy of each of the duplicate affidavit of registration and thereafter such registration card and affidavit shall constitute the registration of such person the same as if he had applied for registration in person.

10 ILCS 5/4-11 — Creation of Precinct Lists

At least 2 weeks prior to the general November election in each even numbered year and the consolidated election in each odd-numbered year the county clerk shall cause a list to be made for each precinct of all names upon the registration record cards not marked or erased, in alphabetical order, with the address, provided, that such list may be arranged geographically, by street and number, in numerical order, with respect to all precincts in which all, or substantially all residences of voters therein shall be located upon and numbered along streets, avenues, courts, or other highways which are either named or numbered, upon direction either of the county board or of the circuit court. On the list, the county clerk shall indicate, by italics, asterisk, or other means, the names of all persons who have registered since the last regularly scheduled election in the consolidated schedule of elections established in Section 2A-1.1 of this Act. this link opens in a new browser tab.. The county clerk shall cause such precinct lists to be printed or typed in sufficient numbers to meet all reasonable demands, and upon application a copy of the same shall be given to any person applying therefor. By such time, the county clerk shall give the precinct lists to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party, as such party is defined in Section 10-2 of this Act. this link opens in a new browser tab., or to the chair's duly authorized representative. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Amendatory Act of 1983, the county clerk shall give the precinct lists compiled prior to the general November election of 1982 to the chair of county central committee of an established political party or to the chair's duly authorized representative.

Prior to the opening of the polls for other elections, the county clerk shall transmit or deliver to the judges of election of each polling place a corrected list of registered voters in the precinct, or the names of persons added to and erased or withdrawn from the list for such precinct. At other times such list, currently corrected, shall be kept available for public inspection in the office of the county clerk.

Within 60 days after each general election the county clerk shall indicate by italics, asterisk, or other means, on the list of registered voters in each precinct, each registrant who voted at that general election, and shall provide a copy of such list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair's duly authorized representative.

Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, the county clerk shall indicate by italics, asterisk, or other means, on the list of registered voters in each precinct, each registrant who voted at the general election of 1982, and shall provide a copy of such coded list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair's duly authorized representative.

The county clerk may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a list provided under either of the 2 preceding paragraphs.

10 ILCS 5/4-12 — Registering For the 1970 Election [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-13 — Restoration of Registration in 1970 [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-14 — Restoration of Voters [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-14.1 — Cancellation of Voter Registration Due to Death [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-15 — Issuance & Correction of Registration [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-16 — Updating Voter Registration Information

Changing Address Within A County

Any registered voter who changes his residence from one address to another within the same county wherein this Article is in effect, may have his registration transferred to his new address by making and signing an application for change of residence address upon a form to be provided by the county clerk. Such application must be made to the office of the county clerk and may be made either in person or by mail. In case the person is unable to sign his name, the county clerk shall require him to execute the application in the presence of the county clerk or of his properly authorized representative, by his mark, and if satisfied of the identity of the person, the county clerk shall make the transfer.

Updating the Application

Upon receipt of the application, the county clerk, or one of his employees deputized to take registrations shall cause the signature of the voter and the data appearing upon the application to be compared with the signature and data on the registration record card, and if it appears that the applicant is the same person as the person previously registered under that name the transfer shall be made.

Transferring Registration

No transfers of registration under the provisions of this Section shall be made during the 27 days preceding any election at which such voter would be entitled to vote. When a removal of a registered voter takes place from one address to another within the same precinct within a period during which a transfer of registration cannot be made before any election or primary, he shall be entitled to vote upon presenting the judges of election his affidavit substantially in the form prescribed in Section 17-10. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Act of a change of residence address within the precinct on a date therein specified.

Obtaining Information

The county clerk may obtain information from utility companies, city, village, incorporated town and township records, the post office, or from other sources, regarding the removal of registered voters, and may treat such information, and information procured from his death and marriage records on file in his office, as an application to erase from the register any name concerning which he may so have information that the voter is no longer qualified to vote under the name, or from the address from which registered, and give notice thereof in the manner provided by Section 4-12 of this Article, and notify voters who have changed their address that a transfer of registration may be made in the manner provided in this Section enclosing a form therefor.

Registering in the Wrong Precinct

If any person be registered by error in a precinct other than that in which he resides, the county clerk may transfer his registration to the proper precinct, and if the error is or may be on the part of the registration officials, and is disclosed too late before an election or primary to mail the certificate required by Section 4-15, such certificate may be personally delivered to the voter and he may vote thereon as therein provided, but such certificates so issued shall be specially listed with the reason for the issuance thereof.

Updating the Records

Where a revision or rearrangement of precincts is made by the county board, the county clerk shall immediately transfer to the proper precinct the registration of any voter affected by such revision or rearrangement of the precinct; make the proper notations on the registration cards of a voter affected by the revision or rearrangement and shall issue revised certificates to each registrant of such change.

Updating Voter Name and Other Changes to Registration

Any registered voter who changes his or her name by marriage or otherwise shall be required to register anew and authorize the cancellation of the previous registration; but if the voter still resides in the same precinct the elector may, if otherwise qualified, vote upon making an affidavit at the polling place attesting that the voter is the same person who is registered to vote under his or her former name. The affidavit shall be treated by the election authority as authorization to cancel the registration under the former name, and the election authority shall register the person under his or her current name.

Reporting Changes to the County Clerk

The precinct election officials shall report to the county clerk the names and addresses of all persons who have changed their addresses and voted, which shall be treated as an application to change address accordingly, and the names and addresses of all persons otherwise voting by affidavit as in this Section provided, which shall be treated as an application to erase under Section 4-12 hereof.

10 ILCS 5/4-17 — Examination of Registration Record Cards [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-18 — Canvassing Registration [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-18.1 — Canvassing Registration of Voters Lacking A Permanent Abode [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-19 — Lost, Destroyed or Mutilated Registration Card [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-20 — Location of Original Registration Cards [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-21 — Keeping Records of Political Boundaries

10 ILCS 5/4-22 — Application To Vote

Except as otherwise provided in this Section upon application to vote each registered elector shall sign his name or make his mark as the case may be, on a certificate substantially as follows:

Social Security Number Used In Registration

An individual shall not be required to provide his social security number when applying for a ballot. He shall not be denied a ballot, nor shall his ballot be challenged, solely because of his refusal to provide his social security number. Nothing in this Act prevents an individual from being requested to provide his social security number when the individual applies for a ballot. If, however, the certificate contains a space for the individual's social security number, the following notice shall appear on the certificate, immediately above such space, in bold-face capital letters, in type the size of which equals the largest type on the certificate:

The certificates of each State-wide political party at a general primary election shall be separately printed upon paper of uniform quality, texture and size, but the certificates of no 2 State-wide political parties shall be of the same color or tint. However, if the election authority provides computer generated applications with the precinct, ballot style and voter's name and address preprinted on the application, a single application may be used for State-wide political parties if it contains spaces or check-off boxes to indicate the political party. Such application shall not entitle the voter to vote in the primary of more than one political party at the same election.

At the consolidated primary, such certificates may contain spaces or checkoff boxes permitting the voter to request a primary ballot of any other political party which is established only within a political subdivision and for which a primary is conducted on the same election day. Such application shall not entitle the voter to vote in both the primary of the State-wide political party and the primary of the local political party with respect to the offices of the same political subdivision. In no event may a voter vote in more than one State-wide primary on the same day.

Comparing Signatures

The judges in charge of the precinct registration files shall compare the signature upon such certificate with the signature on the registration record card as a means of identifying the voter. Unless satisfied by such comparison that the applicant to vote is the identical person who is registered under the same name, the judges shall ask such applicant the questions for identification which appear on the registration card, and if the applicant does not prove to the satisfaction of a majority of the judges of the election precinct that he is the identical person registered under the name in question then the vote of such applicant shall be challenged by a judge of election, and the same procedure followed as provided by law for challenged voters.

Elector Unable to Sign His Name

In case the elector is unable to sign his name, a judge of election shall check the data on the registration card and shall check the address given, with the registered address, in order to determine whether he is entitled to vote.

Checking the Certificate

One of the judges of election shall check the certificate of each applicant for a ballot after the registration record has been examined, and shall sign his initials on the certificate in the space provided therefor, and shall enter upon such certificate the number of the voter in the place provided therefor, and make an entry in the voting record space on the registration record, to indicate whether or not the applicant voted. Such judge shall then hand such certificate back to the applicant in case he is permitted to vote, and such applicant shall hand it to the judge of election in charge of the ballots. The certificates of the voters shall be filed in the order in which they are received and shall constitute an official poll record. The term "poll lists" and "poll books", where used in this Article, shall be construed to apply to such official poll record.

List of Voters Sent to County Party Chair

After each general primary election the county clerk shall indicate by color code or other means next to the name of each registrant on the list of registered voters in each precinct the primary ballot of a political party that the registrant requested at that general primary election. The county clerk, within 60 days after the general primary election, shall provide a copy of this coded list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair's duly authorized representative.

Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, the county clerk shall provide to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair's duly authorized representative the list of registered voters in each precinct at the time of the general primary election of 1982 and shall indicate on such list by color code or other means next to the name of a registrant the primary ballot of a political party that the registrant requested at the general primary election of 1982.

The county clerk may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a list provided under either of the 2 preceding paragraphs.

Where an elector makes application to vote by signing and presenting the certificate provided by this Section, and his registration record card is not found in the precinct registry of voters, but his name appears as that of a registered voter in such precinct upon the printed precinct register as corrected or revised by the supplemental list, or upon the consolidated list, if any, and whose name has not been erased or withdrawn from such register, the printed precinct register as corrected or revised by the supplemental list, or consolidated list, if any, shall be prima facie evidence of the elector's right to vote upon compliance with the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section. In such event one of the judges of election shall require an affidavit by such person and one voter residing in the precinct before the judges of election, substantially in the form prescribed in Section 17-10 of this Act. this link opens in a new browser tab., and upon the presentation of such affidavits, a certificate shall be issued to such elector, and upon the presentation of such certificate and affidavits, he shall be entitled to vote.

Provided, however, that applications for ballots made by registered voters under the provisions of Article 19. this link opens in a new browser tab. of this Act shall be accepted by the Judges of Election in lieu of the "Certificate of Registered Voter" provided for in this Section.

When the county clerk delivers to the judges of election for use at the polls a supplemental or consolidated list of the printed precinct register, he shall give a copy of the supplemental or consolidated list to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party or to the chair's duly authorized representative.

Whenever 2 or more elections occur simultaneously, the election authority charged with the duty of providing application certificates may prescribe the form thereof so that a voter is required to execute only one, indicating in which of the elections he desires to vote.

After the signature has been verified, the judges shall determine in which political subdivisions the voter resides by use of the information contained on the voter registration cards or the separate registration lists or other means approved by the State Board of Elections and prepared and supplied by the election authority. The voter's certificate shall be so marked by the judges as to show the respective ballots which the voter is given.

10 ILCS 5/4-24 — Loss of Municipal Board of Elections [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-24.1 — Added into A Municipal Board of Elections [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-25 — Compensation for Deputy Registrars [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-27 — Pre-Election Update of Registration [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-28 — Drinking While Registering [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-30 — Canvasses of the Registered Voters In Any Precinct [not included]

10 ILCS 5/4-31 — Accepting Registration from Municipalities Under A Board of Electors

In any county in which there is a municipality under the jurisdiction of a board of election commissioners, the county clerk and his appointed deputy registrars shall accept the registration of qualified persons residing within such municipality and shall transmit the completed registration to the board of election commissioners prior to the close of registration before an election.

10 ILCS 5/4-33 — Computerization of Voter Records

10 ILCS 5/4-50 — Grace Period

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, each election authority shall establish procedures for the registration of voters and for change of address during the period from the close of registration for an election until and including the day of the election.

Grace Period Registration

During this grace period, an unregistered qualified elector may register to vote, and a registered voter may submit a change of address form, in person in the office of the election authority, at a permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10. this link opens in a new browser tab., at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election, at a polling place on election day, or at a voter registration location specifically designated for this purpose by the election authority.

Grace Period Registration In Nursing Homes & Care Facilities

Grace period registration and changes of address shall also be conducted for eligible residents in connection with voting at facilities under Section 19A-12.2 of this Code. opens in a new browser tab. The election authority shall register that individual, or change a registered voter's address, in the same manner as otherwise provided by this Article for registration and change of address.

Grace Period Voting

If a voter who registers or changes address during this grace period wishes to vote at the election or primary occurring during the grace period, he or she must do so by grace period voting.

Grace Period Locations

The election authority shall offer in-person grace period voting at the authority's office, any permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10. this link opens in a new browser tab., and at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election, at a polling place on election day, where grace period registration is required by this Section; and may offer in-person grace period voting at additional hours and locations specifically designated for the purpose of grace period voting by the election authority. The election authority may allow grace period voting by mail only if the election authority has no ballots prepared at the authority's office. Grace period voting shall be in a manner substantially similar to voting under Section 19A. opens in a new browser tab.

Within one day after a voter casts a grace period ballot, or within one day after the ballot is received by the election authority if the election authority allows grace period voting by mail, the election authority shall transmit by electronic means pursuant to a process established by the State Board of Elections the voter's name, street address, e-mail address, and precinct, ward, township, and district numbers, as the case may be, to the State Board of Elections, which shall maintain those names and that information in an electronic format on its website, arranged by county and accessible to State and local political committees. The name of each person issued a grace period ballot shall also be placed on the appropriate precinct list of persons to whom vote by mail and early ballots have been issued, for use as provided in Section 17-9. this link opens in a new browser tab. and Section 18-5. opens in a new browser tab.

A person who casts a grace period ballot shall not be permitted to revoke that ballot and vote another ballot with respect to that primary or election. Ballots cast by persons who register or change address during the grace period at a location other than their designated polling place on election day must be transmitted to and counted at the election authority's central ballot counting location and shall not be transmitted to and counted at precinct polling places. The grace period ballots determined to be valid shall be added to the vote totals for the precincts for which they were cast in the order in which the ballots were opened.

Election Authorities Who Opt Out of In–Precinct Grace Period Registration

In counties with a population of less than 100,000 that do not have electronic poll books, the election authority may opt out of registration in the polling place if the election authority establishes grace period registration and voting at other sites on election day at the following sites:

• (i) the election authority's main office and
• (ii) a polling place in each municipality where 20% or more of the county's residents reside if the election authority's main office is not located in that municipality. The election authority may establish other grace period registration and voting sites on election day provided that the election authority has met the notice requirements of Section 19A-25 for permanent and temporary early voting sites.

10 ILCS 5/4-105 — First Time Voting

A person must vote for the first time in person and not a vote by mail ballot if the person registered to vote by mail, unless the person first provides the appropriate election authority with sufficient proof of identity and the election authority verifies the person's proof of identity.

Sufficient proof of identity shall be demonstrated by submission of the person's driver's license number or State identification card number or, if the person does not have either of those, verification by the last 4 digits of the person's social security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other federal, State, or local government document that shows the person's name and address.

A person may also demonstrate sufficient proof of identity by submission of a photo identification issued by a college or university accompanied by either a copy of the applicant's contract or lease for a residence or any postmarked mail delivered to the applicant at his or her current residence address.

Persons who apply to register to vote by mail but provide inadequate proof of identity to the election authority shall be notified by the election authority that the registration has not been fully completed and that the person remains ineligible to vote by mail or in person until such proof is presented.