Voting Information

Who Can Register to Vote?

You may register to vote if you are:

• A United States citizen and,
• 18 years of age by the date of the next election and,
• A resident of your Lake County precinct address for 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,
• only one form of identification may be a piece of mail for a contractual service addressed and delivered to you.

Where and When Can I Register to Vote?

You may register to vote:

• At the County Clerk's office, 18 North County Street, Waukegan, IL 847.377.2410,
• Through a Deputy Registrar duly appointed by the County Clerk,
• At your local municipal offices or right here at the township offices during normal working hours.

Under federal law, citizens may apply to register to vote by mailing in an application. When you register by mail your mail-in form must be postmarked prior to the close of registration. In addition, a person must vote for the first time in person and not by a mailed absentee ballot, unless the person first provides sufficient proof of identity and the County Clerk verifies the person's proof of identity.

Sufficient proof of identity shall be demonstrated by submission of the person's driver's license number or State identification card number. If unable to provide either form of identification, please call Voter Registration 847.377.2410

Persons who apply to register to vote by mail but provide inadequate proof of identity to the County Clerk shall be notified by the County Clerk that the registration has not been fully completed and that the person remains ineligible to vote by mail or in person until such proof is presented.

Registration is open all year throughout the County except:

• during the 27 days preceding an election.

Registration reopens:

• the second day following an election.

Grace Period Registration

Grace period registration is offered from the close of registration until the 14th day before an election. If a voter who registers or changes address during this grace period wishes to vote, they must do so by grace period voting at the County Clerk's office.

Contact the County Clerk's office at 847.377.2410

How Do I Know Where to Vote?

Your voter registration card lists your township, precinct number and location of your polling place. You can search for your polling place by your address or precinct number. Directions as well as photographs of your polling place are available.

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 Lake 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 I.D. card including your signature

If you move to Lake 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. This is accomplished by mailing notices to all registered voters to confirm their residency at the address on file.

Early Voting

Early voting will be offered to any eligible voter, without reason (i.e. not required to be absent, physically disabled, etc.) beginning 22 days prior to Election Day through the Thursday before Election Day.

Voters are required to present a valid Illinois driver's license, an Illinois identification card issued by the Secretary of State, or any other government-issued identification document containing their photograph, name and address.

Request an Application for Absentee Ballot

Illinois Election law provides that the first day to mail an absentee ballot is 40 days before the election.

Who May Vote by Absentee Ballot?

By applying to receive and vote an Absentee Ballot, the voter will not be able to vote in-person at the polling place on election day.

Persons who are registered voters in Lake County are eligible to cast an absentee ballot only if they meet one of these conditions:

• persons expecting to be absent from Lake County on election day,
• persons physically incapacitated or hospitalized,
• college or university students temporarily residing away from their home precincts,
• persons who will be serving as election judges outside their precinct on election day,
• officials employed by the County Clerk or a law enforcement agency,
• persons serving on jury duty on election day,
• persons who are observing a religious holiday,
• persons in jail as pre-trial detainees not serving jail sentences.
• persons unable to enter their voting site due to Illinois Code 720 ILCS 5/11-9.3.

In addition, the following unregistered voters are eligible to vote by absentee ballot:

• members of the Uniformed Service or merchant marine on active duty, or eligible spouses or dependents,
• U.S. citizens temporarily residing outside the U.S.,
• U.S. citizens overseas by virtue of employment or accompanying their spouses or dependents,
• other U.S. citizens residing outside the U.S.

Military personnel and voters outside the United States may apply 100 days prior to the election.