On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, District 203 students have an E-Learning day due to the Illinois Primary Election Day. While many young adults are aware that they are eligible to vote if they are 18 years or older, and want to participate in an election, they don’t necessarily know where to start. So, if you are interested in voting at any point in the near future, below is a breakdown of what you need to know to register and have the ability to vote.

Information for New Voters 

Eligibility:

• In Illinois, you can register and vote in a primary election if you are 17 years of age. However, you must be 18 by Nov. 5, 2024, the day of the general election, in order to do so.
• You can register to vote in person on the day of the election if you:
  • Are a United States citizen
  • Are a resident of the precinct (the voting district) for at least 30 days
  • Are 18 years of age or older (or will be 18 by Nov. 5, 2024)
  • Provide two forms of ID, one of which includes your address. Acceptable forms of ID include, but are not limited to:
    • Driver’s License
    • Social Security Card
    • Employee or Student ID Card
    • Credit Card  
    • A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address

Registration:

Illinois State Board of Elections

• To register for voting, you can do it online, in person at the office of election authority, at a DMV with deputy registrars who are appointed in each jurisdiction or via mail. If you register via mail, use the Illinois Registration Application available on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
• Online registration is currently closed, but you can still register in person at an early voting site or an election-day polling place.
• Online registration is closed during the 27 days prior to an election. Individuals who miss the deadline may register or transfer their registration at the office of the election authority under the guidelines of grace period registration, which is just an extension of the regular registration deadline and must happen in person. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, although the traditional voter registration period closes 28 days prior to the election, grace period registration extends that deadline from the 27th day before an election through Election Day.

How to Vote:

Polls Nearby:

• Polling places are open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
• You can find out where your closest polling place is at https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx 

What You Will Vote On:

• On Tuesday, March 19, it is the Illinois Presidential Primary and the Illinois State Primary
• Information on each of the elections happening for Dupage County voters and all of the candidates for each category can be found on the County of Dupage Elected Officials Website. Some of the elections happening for Dupage County include congressmen and delegates for various congressional districts, judges and state attorneys. Some of the more discussed categories include races for:
  • US President
  • State Senator
  • State Representative

Voting Deadlines:

Illinois Presidential + State Primary

Online registration deadline: 16 days before Election Day (Sunday, March 3, 2024)

Register by mail deadline: Must be postmarked 28 days before Election Day (Post Received by Thursday, March 14, 2024)

In-person registration deadline: Available up to and including on Election Day (Available up to and including Tuesday, March 19, 2024)

*All of this information can be found on the Illinois State Board of Elections Website.