Registering to vote in Illinois takes a few minutes, and you can do it three ways.
Three ways to register
Online
Register or update your address through the Illinois State Board of Elections. You will need an Illinois driver’s license or state ID.
By mail
Download the Illinois voter-registration form, complete and sign it, then return it to the election authority serving your home address before the regular-registration deadline.
In person
Register with your election authority or a deputy registrar. After October 6, use a designated grace-period location and be prepared to vote when you register.
Registration deadlines for November 3, 2026
Illinois keeps online registration open longer than the regular registration window. If you miss either deadline, grace-period registration and voting remain available through Election Day.
Regular registration closes
October 6
Grace period begins
October 7
Online registration closes
October 18
Election Day registration
November 3
Registering during the grace period? Go to a designated grace-period location with two forms of identification, including one showing your current address. You must vote when you register. Use our Election Offices page to start with the authority serving your registered address.
Already registered? Apply to vote by mail
Vote-by-mail applications are open for the November 3 General Election. Rockford voters and other Winnebago County voters use different election authorities, so start with our local guide to choose the correct application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register to vote in Winnebago County?
Three ways: online at ova.elections.il.gov (you need an Illinois driver’s license or state ID), by mail using the state form sent to the Winnebago County Clerk, or in person at the Clerk’s office.
What is the registration deadline for the November 3, 2026 election?
Regular registration closes October 6, 2026. Online registration through the Illinois State Board of Elections remains open through October 18. After the regular deadline, grace-period registration and voting are available at designated locations through Election Day if you bring two forms of ID, including one showing your current address.
How do I check whether I’m already registered?
Use the Illinois State Board of Elections voter lookup at elections.il.gov. It takes about a minute and shows your polling place too.
I moved within Winnebago County. Do I need to re-register?
You need to update your registration with your new address. The same three options apply — online, by mail, or in person — and updating takes just a few minutes.