Voter Registration

Voter registration is intended to prevent fraudulent voting on Election Day by providing a means of identifying voters. Unless exempt (Members of the Armed Forces), a citizen must be properly registered before he/she is eligible to vote, to sign nomination petitions or to sign petitions for questions of public policy in the City of East St. Louis.

Who is qualified to Register to Vote?

Any person who is a citizen of the United States AND

Is at least 18 years of age on or before the date of the next election (you may register prior to your 18th birthday) AND

Is a resident of the precinct at least 30 days as of the date of the next election AND

Must provide two pieces of identification, at least one of which contains the applicant’s residential address. Acceptable identification may include but is not limited to:

• Driver’s License
• Social Security Card
• Utility Bill
• Employee or Student Identification Card
• Credit Card
• Birth Certificate
• Public Assistance Identification Card
• Library Card

When can I register to vote?

All registrations and address changes must be made in person or postmarked by the date 28 days preceding any election for the voter to be eligible to vote in that election. The close of registration date is noted on the home page election calendar. Registrations are accepted again two days following the election.

Where can I register to vote?

• The office of the Board of Elections, 301 River Park Drive, Suite 300, East St. Louis, Illinois 62201, Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Department of Motor Vehicles Driver’s License Facility (only if you are renewing your license or changing it in some way)
• East St. Louis Public Library
• East St. Louis, Illinois Township office
• St. Clair County Clerk’s office
• With your precinct committeeman. Precinct committeeman information is available from the St. Clair County party websites.
• At a voter registration drive. Volunteer deputy registrars work throughout the City of East St. Louis and occasionally voter registration drives are held. We may not be informed of these events, but there may be publicity in local news media.

Can I register by mail, by telephone, or online?

The mail-in registration form (PDF) may be used. Print, complete all areas of the application, and mail to

Board of Elections
301 River Park Drive, Suite 300
East St. Louis, Illinois 62201

NOTE: If you register by mail, please follow directions on identification to be sent with the application.

There is no telephone voter registration in Illinois.

How do I know if I am registered?

After your registration application is received and processed by our office, you will receive a voter registration post card in the mail. This usually takes just a couple of weeks. If you have not received a card within 30 days, please call us at 618-482-6672. The card tells which election districts you live in and where your regular polling place is located. Cards are not sent automatically for each election. If you receive a new card, it is likely there has been a change in your districts or polling place. Your old card should then be discarded.

What should I do if I change my name?

Any previously registered voter who changes his/her name must re-register and cancel the former registration. A change of name requires a new registration and a new signature from the applicant.

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 St. Clair County.

Persons with a Disability

Any qualified applicant who is disabled and unable to appear at a registration location may apply to be registered to vote over the telephone or in writing. Upon receipt of the request, the Board will send a registration officer to take the registration in person. To request the registration of a disabled applicant, contact the Board of Election Commissioners.