7.C. People Allowed In the Polling Room
Once the polls open, the Polling Place — and especially the Polling Room — are not open to the public.
Most of the rules for who may be in the Polling Room are explained earlier. This page points to those sections for reference.
7.C.1. Voters & Those Registering to Vote
- Voters and Registrants In Line To Vote, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- Registrants, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- Voters, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- The Person Assisting the Voter, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- Children, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- Voters Waiting To Vote Within the Polling Room, this link opens in a new browser tab.
7.C.2. Election Workers
7.C.3. Observers
All observers must present credentials or official identification to the Judges of Election upon entering the Polling Place.
- Poll Watchers
- Election Authority In the Polling Place, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- Police Officers, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- Candidates, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- Representatives of the State Board of Elections, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- United States Attorney, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- State's Attorney, this link opens in a new browser tab.
- Illinois Attorney General, this link opens in a new browser tab.
What the Poll Watcher Is Looking For
All observers are authorized under the same statutes as poll watchers and are subject to the same rules and restrictions. (10 ILCS 5/7-34; 10 ILCS 5/17-23)
- They cannot handle election materials or equipment.
- They cannot instruct a voter on the use of electronic election equipment.
- They cannot instruct a voter on how to fill out a ballot.
- They cannot instruct or assist a voter in casting a ballot in the ballot box or tabulator.
- They must ensure that the secrecy of the ballot is not compromised.