Chapter 7. While the Polls Are Open

7.E. Ballot Application

7.E.1. The Voter States Their Name & Address

The first station in the Polling Room is where the voter applies for a ballot.

The voter states their name and address.

The Election Judge repeats the name and address "in a distinct tone of voice, sufficiently loud to be heard by all persons in the polling place."

7.E.1.a. What If the Voter Voluntarily Provides Their ID?

It's all good.

No action is required by the poll watcher.

A poll watcher does not challenge a voter who provides their ID, unprompted.

A voter has the right to provide identification, if they choose.

looking  What the Poll Watcher Is Looking For

Even if the voter provides an ID, the Election Judge must still announce the name and address "in a distinct tone of voice, sufficiently loud to be heard by all persons in the polling place."

Relevant Illinois State Law

Any person desiring to vote at a primary shall state his name, residence and party affiliation to the primary judges, one of whom shall thereupon announce the same in a distinct tone of voice, sufficiently loud to be heard by all persons in the polling place.

10 ILCS 5/7-44
Primaries.

Any person desiring to vote shall give his name and, if required to do so, his residence to the judges of election, one of whom shall thereupon announce the same in a loud and distinct tone of voice, clear, and audible; the judges of elections shall check each application for ballot against the list of voters registered in that precinct to whom grace period, vote by mail, or early ballots have been issued for that election, which shall be provided by the election authority and which list shall be available for inspection by pollwatchers.

10 ILCS 5/17-9
General, municipal, special,
and consolidated elections.

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