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Here’s everything you need to know about registering to vote
On Election Day in March 2025, the polls were open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. Photo by Melanie Jongsma, The Lansing Journal _______________________________
By Meredith Shamburger The Lansing Journal February 13, 2026 LANSING, Ill. — The March 17 Primary Election is coming up. Are you registered and able to vote? Lansing residents will have opportunities to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primaries for positions statewide, in Cook County, and in their respective townships. Some races will be decided in March because there are candidates running unopposed or because there are only candidates running in the Democratic Primary and not the Republican Primary. Races with candidates running in both the Democratic and Republican primaries will be decided in the November General Election. Below is information from the Cook County Clerk’s Office about how you can check your registration status and register to vote if you are not already. Who Can Vote? To register to vote, you must be: • A U.S. citizen • At least 18 years old by the general election • A resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day You also need two pieces of identification. Neither needs to be a photo ID, but one must include your current address. Acceptable forms of ID include: • Illinois driver’s license • Illinois state ID • Employee or student ID • Credit card • Social security card • Birth certificate • Utility bill in applicant’s name • Mail postmarked to the applicant • Valid U.S. passport • Public aid ID card • Lease or rental contract You do not declare a political party when you registered to vote, but in primary elections you choose to vote a specific political party’s ballot. Are You Registered? You must be registered to vote to cast a ballot in the
upcoming primary election. The Cook County Clerk’s Office maintains a voter information tool for Suburban Cook County residents online at https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/ your-voter-information. You can look up your registration status by providing your name and address. The Voter Information Tool will also tell you where your polling place is located, where you can vote early, which elected officials represent you, and the status of your mail ballot. Your voter registration is permanent unless you move or change your name. If you’ve moved: If you have moved within suburban Cook County, you must transfer your registration by reregistering. You may choose to write your new address on the back of your voter identification card and mail it to the Clerk’s downtown Chicago office. You must re-register with the new local election authority or county clerk if you move to an address outside suburban Cook County. If you’ve changed your name: If you are changing your name but are not moving — and forget to update your registration — you will be required to fill out an affidavit on Election Day in order to cast your ballot. You will not be able to vote by mail. If you are legally changing your name at the Secretary of State’s office (www.cyberdriveillinois.com), you can ask them to process a new or updated voter registration. The Cook County Clerk’s Office also offers specific information for newlyweds at https:// www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/ Vitals%20-%20Newlywed%20Brochure%20-%20 2024_0.pdf. How to Register to Vote You can register online. If you have an Illinois driver’s license or state ID, you may register online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website at https://ova. elections.il.gov. You can register through the mail. Download registration forms, print sign and mail your registration in. Find a registration form PDF at https://www. cookcountyclerkil.gov/sites/default/files/pdfs/ivrapp-en_2026_online.pdf and more information at https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/voterregistration. You can register in-person. There are several ways to register in-person. • Register at a Cook County Clerk’s Office: Eligible suburban Cook County residents can also register to vote in person with a certified registrar by going to a Cook County Clerk’s Office location. The closest location is at the Markham Courthouse, 16501 S. Kedzie Avenue, Room 238, Markham, IL 60428. Find a full list of offices at https://www.cookcountyclerkil. gov/locations. • Register with a village, city, or township clerk: For Lansing residents, that is the Village of Lansing and either Bloom or Thornton Townships. • Register at an Illinois Secretary of State’s drivers license facility: You can register to vote when you obtain or renew your driver’s license or state identification
card at any of the license facilities. Registration is also available at other state government offices, including public assistance offices and military recruitment offices. Find the full list here: https://www.ilsos.gov/facilities/ facilitylist.html. The closest drivers license facilities are located in South Holland and Chicago Heights: • South Holland, 41 W. 162nd St., South Holland, IL 60473 • Chicago Heights, 570 W. 209th St., Chicago Heights, IL 60411 • Register with a deputy registrar: Trained volunteer deputy registrars may register you to vote. Find more information about that process at https://www. cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/voter-registration/ deputy-registrar. After processing your registration application, the Clerk’s office will mail you a voter identification card with your precinct information and voting districts. You may also check your voting eligibility with the Your Voter Information search tool. If you have questions about your voting status, e-mail Voter.Reg@ cookcountyil.gov or call (312) 603-0906. Is There a Deadline to Register to Vote? Voter registration closes for deputy registrars and local election officials on Feb. 17. The last day to register to vote by online application is March 1. If you miss both voter registration deadlines, you may still register to vote during the Grace Period or on Election Day: Registration During Early Voting: Early Voting extends the registration period by allowing voters to register and vote until the Monday before an election. Guidelines limit when and where Early Voting registrants can vote — during the Early Voting period, voters must register and vote in person at one of the Clerk’s designated Early Voting locations. Individuals wishing to vote during the Early Voting must bring two pieces of identification to register, one with a current address. Registrants must immediately cast their ballot after registering to vote. Election Day Registration and Voting: On Election Day, voters who are not registered to vote can register and vote at their home precinct or at one of the Election Day Vote Centers. Any voter who is not registered and needs to know where to go to register and vote on Election Day can utilize the Clerk’s online Your Voter Information Tool to find their proper polling place by address or birthday. Key Dates for the March 17 Primary Election • Feb. 17: Voter registration closes for deputy registrars and local election officials • March 1: Last day to register to vote by online application • March 2: First day of early voting • March 12: Last day to request a mail ballot, including military and overseas voters • March 16: Last day of early voting • March 17: Last day mail ballots can be postmarked • March 17: Election Day
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