Chapter 7. Election Day, While the Polls Are Open

7.D. Voters and Registrants Entering the Polling Place

7.D.2. A Request For Identification

7.D.2.a. Outside the Polling Room

If asked for identification or told to “have your ID out for the judge,” a person in line may choose not to and wait for instruction from the Election Judge at the ballot application station.

7.D.2.b. At the Ballot Application Station

7.D.2.b.1. To Register to Vote

A person registering to vote is required to provide two forms of identification. See:

7.D.2.b.2. To Apply for a Ballot

Illinois does not require a voter to present identification when applying for a ballot.

Identification may become relevant after the voter states their name and address and the Election Judge cannot find the voter in the list of eligible voters, there is a problem with the comparison of signatures, or another issue must be resolved before a ballot can be issued.

Before that point, a voter may proceed without presenting identification.

looking  What the Poll Watcher Is Looking For

It is a constitutional right for a person to be secure in their person and their papers.

The right to be secure in one's person and papers applies within the Polling Place.

If identification is requested before it is required by law, treat it as a challenge and report it to an Election Judge. Also inform the poll watcher team.

A poll watcher has no reason to ask to see identification.

United States Constitution

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated...

Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution

Relevant Illinois State Law

Any person who, by force, intimidation, threat, deception or forgery, knowingly prevents any other person from

  • (a) registering to vote, or
  • (b) lawfully voting, supporting or opposing the nomination or election of any person for public office or any public question voted upon at any election,

shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.

10 ILCS 5/29-4

Any person who subjects, or causes to be subjected, a citizen of the State of Illinois or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States or of the State of Illinois, relating to registration to vote, the conduct of elections, voting, or the nomination or election of candidates for public or political party office, shall be liable to the party injured or any person affected, in any action or proceeding for redress.

10 ILCS 5/29-17

If 2 or more persons conspire to prevent by force, intimidation, threat, deception, forgery or bribery any person from registering to vote, or preventing any person lawfully entitled to vote from voting, or preventing any person from supporting or opposing, in a legal manner, the nomination or election of any person for public or political party office, or a proposition voted upon at any election, or to injure any person or such person's property on account of such vote, support or advocacy, and if one or more persons so conspiring do, attempt or cause to be done, any act in furtherance of the object of such conspiracy, whereby another is injured in his person or property or deprived of having or exercising any right, privilege or immunity secured by the Constitution or laws of the United States or the State of Illinois relating to the conduct of elections, voting, or the nomination or election of candidates for public or political party office, all persons engaged in such conspiracy shall be liable to the party injured or any person affected, in any action or proceeding for redress.

10 ILCS 5/29-18

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