Registering to Vote
Voter registration allows qualified voters to participate in the electoral process and exercise one of their most basic rights.
Frequently Asked Questions:Click here to download the Illinois State Board of Elections' brochure on registering to vote. (PDF)
Am I Registered to Vote?
Who Can Register to Vote?
You can register to vote if you are:
- A United States citizen
- 18 years of age by the date of the next election, and
- A resident of your Madison County precinct address for at least 30 days immediately prior to an election.
Two forms of identification are required to register through a deputy registrar at least one of the two forms must show your name and current address.
Download Illinois Voter Registration Application form.
When Can I Register to Vote?
You can register to vote all year throughout the County except:
- during the 27 days before an election.
Registration reopens:
- the second day following an election.
Between 27 and 7 days before an election? Use grace period registration.
Where Can I Register to Vote?
You can register to vote:
- By Mail – see next section.
- At the County Clerk's office, 157 North Main Street, Edwardsville, IL 62025, 618-692-6290
- Through a Deputy Registrar duly appointed by the County Clerk
- At your local municipal or township office and other local agencies
Official Places of Voter Registration (PDF)
Can I Register to Vote by mail?
You can register to vote by mailing in an application. When you register by mail your mail-in form must be postmarked before the close of registration. In addition, you must vote for the first time in-person and not by a mailed absentee ballot, unless you provide sufficient proof of identity and the County Clerk verifies your proof of identity.
Sufficient proof of identity shall be demonstrated by submission of a copy of your Illinois driver’s license. If unable to provide either form of identification, please call Voter Registration 618-692-6290.
Download Illinois Voter Registration Application form.
Grace Period Registration
Grace period registration is offered from the close of registration until the 7th day before an election. Go to the County Clerk's office to grace period register and vote immediately thereafter. Contact the County Clerk's office at 618-692-6290 for further information on grace period registration.
What ID do I need to register to vote?
You need to be able to furnish two (2) forms of identification, one of which must include your current name and residence address. Identification can be, but is not limited to:
- Driver's License
- Social Security Card
- Employee ID Card
- Student ID Card
- Credit Card
- Library Card
- Insurance Card
- Selective Service Card
- Civic Membership Card
- Fraternal Membership Card
- Union Membership Card
- Professional Association Membership Card
- Utility Bill
- Checkbook
Your residence can also be verified with telephone books, city directories, school records, and utility records. Utility bills in the name of one spouse may be used as proof of residence for both husband and wife.
If your driver’s license does not have the correct address, proof of residence can be any letter mailed to him/her at the present address, postmarked within the last 30 days.
Does My Voter Registration Expire?
Your voter registration does not expire unless you move or change your name.
Change of name: Should you change your name by marriage, divorce or other legal name change, you must re-register under your new name and provide the new signature on your registration record. Two forms of identification with your new name are required, one of which must have your current address.
Change of address: If you move within Madison County, you must provide written notification of your new address and sign the request:
- Mail notification including your name, old and new address, date of birth and your signature or,
- Complete the back of your voter registration card including your signature
If you move to Madison County from another county or another state, complete a new registration application. The County Clerk's office is required to verify the accuracy of the voter rolls. On the odd year, every two years, this is accomplished by mailing notices to all registered voters to confirm their residency at the address on file.
Where to Vote
Your voter registration card lists your township, precinct number and location of your polling place. If you need assistance determining your polling place, we have developed an online polling place lookup to help you determine where to vote. You can search for your polling place by your address or precinct number. Directions as well as maps to your polling place are available.
You can vote at any Early Voting Center between 15 days and the 3rd day before an election.
Address confidentiality option
The Address Confidentiality option assists crime victims (specifically victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking) who have relocated to avoid further abuse. It helps participants keep their home address secret. It allows you to register to vote without revealing their actual address on voter records made public.
To participate or learn more about the Address Confidentiality option, please call Voter Registration 618-692-6290.
Registration cancellation
You will only be removed from the registration files if a cancellation card is signed by you or you register to vote in another state. Print and sign a cancellation form (PDF).
Report a deceased voter
If a voter is deceased, another registered voter may fill out a death card to cancel the registration. Print and sign a Understanding Your Certificate of Registration
The voter certificate is your official source document for determining where to vote and your congressional, state senate, state representative and county board districts. You are not required to present your voter card in order to vote on Election Day, though it is helpful as a quick reference tool for your correct precinct number and voting districts.
