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1. Am I registered to vote?

Find out if you're registered to vote in the State of Illinois with the Illinois State Board of Elections registration lookup tool.

https://ova.elections.il.gov/RegistrationLookup.aspx

2. What are the requirements to register to vote?

To be eligible to register to vote, a person must:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be 18 years of age on or before the next general election
• Reside in the precinct for 30 days prior to the next election
• Provide two forms of identification, one showing current name and address
• Provide the last 4 of your Social Security number and/or your Illinois Driver's License or State Identification number.

3. Where can I register to vote?

In addition to the Board of Election Commissioners Office, registrations are taken at the Peoria County Courthouse, City Hall-City Clerk's Office, the Driver's License Facility (only if you have business there), and any Peoria Public Library. You may also register by mail or online.

4. What if I move and/or change my name?

If you move, you must file a written change of address with the Election Authority. The back of your Voter Registration Card contains a Change of Address Form. If you don't have your card, a handwritten note with your signature is sufficient. If you change your name, you must complete a new voter registration form. Find more information on the Registration Information page.

5. What are registration options for college students?

College students have two options with respect to registration and voting.

1. Remain registered to vote in your hometown.  Prior to each election, reach out to your hometown election jurisdiction to request a ballot be mailed to you at school.
2. Register to vote in your college town.  Be sure to update your voter registration each year if your campus address changes.   

6. Is it true that 17 year old's can register and vote?

A person who is 17 years old on the date of the primary and will turn 18 by the date of the following general election may register and vote in the primary election.  (10 ILCS 5/3-6)

7. Can people who have been convicted of a felony register and vote in Illinois?

Since most election law is decided at the state level, many laws are different from state to state.  The right to vote during and/or after confinement is an example of this.  Illinois Election Code states that no person shall be permitted to vote if he or she has been legally convicted, in this state or another state or in any federal court, of any crime, and is serving a sentence of confinement.  Confinement is defined as any person convicted and imprisoned, including those granted a furlough or admitted to a work release program.   Confinement does not include any person convicted and imprisoned but released on parole.  Confinement or detention in a jail pending acquittal or conviction of a crime is not a disqualification from voting. (10 ILCS 5/3-5)  
In summation, if you are in jail awaiting trial, you can still vote.  If you have been convicted but have finished serving your time, you may vote.  

8. How are registered voters who have moved or died removed from the voter rolls?

Peoria County Election Commission staff work daily to ensure our voter rolls are accurate and up to date.   Notifications of potential transfers are received from the United States Postal Service, other election jurisdictions throughout the state of Illinois, and even from election jurisdictions from around the country. If information is received from one of these entities, the associated registration is made inactive. If a registration remains inactive for two federal general elections with no changes or attempts to vote, then that registration is cancelled. This process is required per the National Voter Registration Act, a Federal Law.

However, you, as the voter can be proactive in this process and help us speed it up.  To remove (i.e., cancel) a voter from our voter registration records (and forego the inactivation timeline), we must have a signed statement from the voter asking for the cancellation.  Please include full name, date of birth, Peoria County address, signature, and reason for cancellation request.   I know it may seem easier to call the office to inform us that you have moved but to ensure no malicious activity, we must have the request in writing from the voter.  

If a relative has passed away, a copy of the obituary or a copy of the death certificate is required to cancel that voter.