Voter Registration FAQs
In order to be qualified to register to vote:
- You MUST be a US citizen
- You MUST be at least 18 years of age by the next General Election (November Election)
- You MUST reside in the precinct 30 days prior to the next Election
- You MUST not be convicted AND in jail
- You MUST not claim the right to vote anywhere else
- Registration is open year round except during the 27 days preceding an election and reopens the second day following an election.There is also a special registration period called Grace Period, which allows for the registration of voters and for change of address during the period from the close of registration until the 3rd day before the election. During this period, an unregistered elector may register to vote or submit a change of address ONLY in person in the Macoupin County Election Office. If a person registers during this specific Grace Period time frame, they may ONLY vote in person in the Macoupin County Election Office, NOT at the polling place on Election Day. Please note that once a voter casts a Grace Period ballot, the vote cast is final and may not be revoked and the voter is not eligible to cast a vote on Election Day. The hours for Grace Period voting will be Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Please check the calendar on the right for a schedule for grace period voting for a specific election.
There are various places where you may register to vote.
- In-person at the Macoupin County Election Office at the Courthouse
- Submit a Voter Registration Application
- Use the State Board of Election’s Paperless Online Voter Registration Application
- In person with a Deputy Registrar/Precinct Committeeperson
- Local Municipal or Township Office
You can check to see if you are registered to vote by visiting the Voter Lookup page within this site. When you register to vote in Macoupin County, a voter identification card is mailed to every voter once their registration is completed by our office. This card serves as proof that you are a registered voter and includes information such as your polling place, precinct and all jurisdictions in which you are entitled to vote. If you have misplaced your card or are not sure if you ever received one, you may call the Election Office at (217) 854-3214 or contact us online to request a replacement card.
Grace Period allows for the registration of voters or change of address during the period from the close of registration until the 3rd day before the election. During this period, an unregistered elector may register to vote or submit a change of address ONLY in person in the Macoupin County Election Office. If a person registers during this specific Grace Period time frame, they may ONLY vote in person in the Macoupin County Election Office, NOT at the polling place on Election Day. Please note that once a voter casts a Grace Period ballot, the vote cast is final and may not be revoked and the voter is not eligible to cast a vote on Election Day. Please check the calendar on the right for grace period voting dates for a specific election.
Illinois law does allow for you to register to vote or change your registration on Election Day but only at the Election office at the Courthouse. There is NO Election Day voter registration at any polling place in Macoupin County.
Yes. If you register by mail, you must send a copy of a current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your current name and address. If you do not provide the identification, then you will be required to provide the information the first time you vote. A link to access the Voter Registration Application is located here.
Two forms of identification are required. One must show your name and current address. The second form must show your name.
If you register by mail, you must send a copy of a current and valid photo identification or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your current name and address. If you do not provide the identification, then you will be required to provide the information the first time you vote.
No. Your voter registration does not expire and only needs to be updated for a name or address change.
You may not be eligible to vote, depending when and where you moved. If you moved within Macoupin County, you may change your voter registration address by completing the information on the reverse side of your voter identification card and returning it to our office or by requesting a Voter Registration Application. If you moved outside of Macoupin County, you must re-register with the local election authority in your new county of residence.
A person who changes their name must re-register to vote. In order to complete this process, you will need be required to complete the forms as if you are registering to vote for the first time.
No. However, you will be given the opportunity to register to vote at that time. Be sure to retain your receipt until your voter identification card is mailed to you.
If you have misplaced your card, please call our office for a replacement at (217) 854-3214 or contact us online.
A voter may request in writing that their name be removed from the voter registration file (does not require that a reason be given), or a voter may acknowledge in writing that he/she is no longer a resident of the election jurisdiction. Similarly, an attempt by the voter to register to vote in another election jurisdiction is deemed to be a request to cancel all previous voter registrations.