Chapter 3 — Registering To Vote

G. Grace Period Registration

What is A Grace Period?

During the Grace Period, a person can register to vote or change their registration in–person, at either an early voting polling place or, on Election Day, at their precinct polling place.

The Grace Period begins fifteen (15) days before an election through and including Election Day.
[In the 2022 election cycle, Grace Period runs from Monday, October 24, 2022 until the polls close on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, 2022.]

Grace Period registration occurs after other registration is closed. Online and in–person voter registration concludes at the end of the business day, twenty-eight (28) before Election Day.
[In the 2022 election cycle, twenty-eight (28) days before the election is Tuesday, October 11, 2022.]

"Same day registration" at the polling place is Grace Period registration.

The person registering or changing registration must be able to produce the required documentation.
See: Chapter 3B, Documentation Needed To Register To Vote.

[E]ach 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. 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, 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 and changes of address shall also be conducted for eligible residents in connection with voting at facilities under Section 19-12.2 of this Code. 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.

— 10 ILCS 5/4-50
10 ILCS 5/5-50
10 ILCS 5/6-100

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Where Can You Register To Vote During the Grace Period?

    During the Grace Period, the following locations may offer in-person Grace Period registration and in-person Grace Period voting:
  • The office of the local election authority, either the County Clerk's Office or the Local Election Board Office.
  • The early voting site (a permanent polling place).
  • A temporary early voting site (such as on campus, a high school, or a voting center).
  • The precinct polling place on Election Day.
    Counties under 100,000 may consolidate their Grace Period registration and Grace Period voting into fewer sites:
  • The election authority's office (the County Clerk's office)
  • A polling place in each municipality of 20 percent of the county's residents.

The election authority shall offer in-person grace period voting at the authority's office, any permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10, 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 Article 19A.

— 10 ILCS 5/4-50
— 10 ILCS 5/5-50
— 10 ILCS 5/4-100

    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 5/4-50
10 ILCS 5/5-50
10 ILCS 5/6-100

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Grace Period Voting

A voter who registers to vote or changes their voter registration during the Grace Period, can then vote during the Grace Period.

Voters in care facilities are also eligible to register, change registration, and vote during the Grace Period.

See: Chapter 9I, #1, Assisted Voting in Care Facilities.

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.

— 10 ILCS 5/4-50
10 ILCS 5/5-50
10 ILCS 5/6-100

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