Register to Vote

In the state of Illinois, a citizen must be properly registered to be eligible to vote, to sign nomination petitions, or to sign petitions for public questions to appear on the ballot.  A voter must be registered at their actual place of residence, which means that you need to register again to update your address if you move.  Voter registration prevents fraudulent voting on Election Day by providing a means of identifying voters.

To register, a person must be:

  • A citizen of the United States AND
  • 18 years old on or before the date of the next election (17-year-olds may register for a General Primary Election if they reach 18 years of age by the following General Election).
  • 16-year-olds may pre-register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website. 16-year-olds will have their application held in abeyance until voting age.
  • Resident of the precinct for at least 30 days before the next election.

Registering ONLINE

Registering BY MAIL

This mail-in application may be printed and mailed to our office:

Voter Registration MAIL-IN Application
Voter Registration MAIL-IN Application (Español)

  • Print with a black pen and complete all areas of the application.
  • Application MUST INCLUDE required ID numbers and your signature
    or else it will be rejected.
  • Including phone number and/or email address is OPTIONAL.
    If given, it can help us communicate with you; HOWEVER by law it becomes part of your voter record which is made available to candidates and political parties.
  • Must be postmarked by the Close of Registration date. Mail to Bloomington Election Commission, PO Box 2400, Bloomington, IL 61702.

Registering IN PERSON

To register in person, you must be able to prove who you are and where you live by providing two pieces of identification.  Both ID’s must have your name, and at least one ID must show your current residential address.
Acceptable ID’s include but are not limited to:

  • Driver’s License or IL State ID
  • Social Security Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Employee or Student Identification Card
  • Public Assistance Identification Card
  • Lease or Mortgage
  • Utility Bill
  • Medical/Vehicle Insurance Card
  • Library Card
  • Credit Card

Digital ID’s shown on a cellphone CAN be used as proof of name and address.  The digital ID must be current (the latest statement available) but more than 30 days old (to prove residency for at least 30 days).

Close of Registration

  • IN-PERSON and MAILED voter registrations or address changes must be made by the 28TH DAY BEFORE an election.
  • ONLINE registrations must be made by the 15TH DAY BEFORE an election.
  • Any registrations after the close of online registration must be completed through GRACE PERIOD registration. This is done in-person at the polling place, vote center or early voting location. You are required to vote at the time of Grace Period registration.

  • REGULAR voter registration is re-opened 2 DAYS AFTER the preceding election for the next election.

Where & When to Register

Up to 28 days preceding any election.

  • Bloomington Board of Elections, 121 N. Main St. 1st floor; open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • McLean County Clerk, 115 E. Washington St. Room 102; open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Department of Motor Vehicles (Secretary of State) when getting a new or renewing an old drivers license or state ID
  • Bloomington Public Library, 205 E. Olive St.
  • Human Services agency if applying for benefits
  • With deputy registrar
  • With precinct committeeman
  •  At voter registration drives

After the 28th day Close of Registration through Election Day.
This is called Grace Period Registration, which allows you to register and vote if the Close of Registration has already passed.

  • Must register in person
  • Must have 2 forms of acceptable ID
  • You will Vote at the same time.
  • If before Election Day, Grace Period registration is done at the Early Voting location.
  • If on Election Day, Grace Period registration is done at your polling place or at the office.

VOTER REGISTRATION POST CARDS

After registration application is received and processed by our office, a voter registration post card is sent to the voter by mail. If you do not receive your card within 30 days, contact us. The card tells which election districts you live in and your polling place location.

If there is a change in your districts or polling place at any time, you will be sent a new card. In the summer of odd-numbered years, all voters in the city are mailed new cards. Cards are not sent yearly or prior to each election. Any old card should be thrown away if a new one is received.

REGISTRATION BY EMAIL, FAX, OR TELEPHONE

Voter registration in Illinois cannot be done by email, fax or telephone.

MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

Registration requirements do not apply to members of the United States Armed Forces on active duty, members of the United States Armed Forces who have been discharged within 60 days before an election, or to certain qualified residents who are absent from McLean County.

PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY

To request the registration of a disabled applicant unable to appear at a registration location, contact this office and a registration officer will be sent to take the registration in person.