Regular elections are held on the third Tuesday in March (primary) and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (general) of even-numbered years. In odd-numbered years, some jurisdictions have a primary on the last Tuesday in February and all jurisdictions have an election on the first Tuesday of April (consolidated).

The polls are open from 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Each voter must vote at his/her precinct polling place. Check your polling place location with the election authority for your jurisdiction.

Prior to Election Day, voters should familiarize themselves with their voting rights and related voter information.

Each jurisdiction selects a voting system from among the systems that have been tested and certified for use in Illinois by the State Board of Elections. Each voter is entitled to receive instruction on the use of the voting equipment. Disabled voters may receive assistance in voting either from the election judges or from a person of the voter's choice.

Voters whose registration is active at their residence will receive a full ballot which includes all offices and public requests applicable to that address. Voters who have moved and not updated their registration record should check with their election authority (county clerk or board of election commissioners) to determine what ballot they may receive on Election Day.

If a voter's name doesn't appear on the official voter list or if his/her vote is successfully challenged, he may cast a provisional ballot . A voter who casts a provisional ballot may check the status of that ballot to determine whether it was tabulated.

Candidates, political parties and civic organizations are entitled to appoint pollwatchers to observe the conduct of procedures in the polling place. Voters also play a key role in helping guarantee fair elections by reporting fraudulent activities in or near the polling place.