Voter Information

The City Clerk is Evanston's local election official. The office works closely with the office of Cook County Clerk David Orr, Election Division, to determine accessible polling places; staff function as deputy registrars to register voters, process absentee ballot applications prior to each election and certify results from all referenda and local elections.

Locate your Polling Place

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VOTER QUALIFICATIONS

To register to vote, you must be

  1. A U.S. citizen
  2. At least 18 years old by Election Day
  3. A resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to an election

Illinois voters do not need to register by political party or declare a political party membership or preference.

Candidates for the February 2, 2010 primary election have already started circulating nominating petitions to be on the primary ballot. You must be a registered voter to be eligible to sign a petition.

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

December 24, 2009 is the first day a registered voter can apply for an absentee ballot. To obtain an application by phone contact the Cook County Clerk’s office at 312.603.0906 or visit the downtown Chicago location, 69 W. Washington St., Suite 500 or you can download the application at www.voterinfonet.com. Click on the VOTE tab, click the ABSENTEE tab and then click HOW TO VOTE ABSENTEE. You can also obtain an application from the City Clerk's Office in room 1200, in the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center.

REGISTERING TO VOTE

Your registration is permanent unless you move or change your name. If you have moved within suburban Cook County, you must transfer your registration by re-registering. You may choose to write your new address on the back of your voter identification card and mail it to the County Clerk's downtown Chicago office (69 W. Washington St., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602).

You must re-register with the local election authority or county clerk if you move to an address outside suburban Cook County.

By Illinois law, voter registration closes 28 days preceding an election and re-opens two days after Election Day.

WHERE TO GO TO REGISTER

Come to the Clerk’s office at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave.

Room 1200, Evanston, Monday - Friday between 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. You will need a picture I.D. and something showing your current name and address (utility bill, bank statement, lease, etc.). You must be a United States citizen and 18 years of age or older by the next election. Registration deadline for the upcoming election is Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

For the February 2, 2010 Gubernatorial Primary Election, grace period registration and voting will be conducted Jan. 6-26 at the Clerk's downtown office (69 W. Washington, Chicago) and our five suburban mini-centers. The hours are: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 6-8, Jan. 11-16, Jan. 18-23 and Jan. 25-26; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, Jan. 17 and Jan. 24