By Niya K. Kelly, Director of State Legislative Policy, Equity and Transformation

Voting While Experiencing Homelessness

Illinois residents who are homeless have the right to vote in all local, state, and national elections, including the general election on November 5, 2024. People experiencing homelessness, whether they are street-based, living in shelters, or doubled-up in the homes of others, still have the right to vote. This right is protected by state and federal laws, including the 2013 Illinois Bill of Rights for the Homeless Act .

The 2024 general election will decide your state legislators, judges, U.S. Representative and Senators, and the President. On Election Day, polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Illinois permits residents to vote early starting Thursday, October 3 or request to vote by mail without providing an excuse or reason for this request. Officials started sending out vote-by-mail ballots on September 26.

You can register to vote on Election Day!

Illinois residents can vote on Election Day or at any early voting location, even if they are not yet registered to vote. You can check online to see if you are registered here .

Any Illinois resident ages 18 or older can register to vote on Election Day at the precinct polling place assigned to their residential mailing address — that is, the address provided on one’s state ID or driver’s license. Chicago residents can also register at the Loop Super Site located downtown.

If you would like to register prior to Election Day, you may do so in-person at any early voting location , online with a state ID or driver’s license (deadline: Sunday, October 20), or by mail (must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 8).

What are forms of ID are required to register?

You are required to bring two forms of identification (ID), including one that shows proof of residence or a mailing address.

Acceptable forms of ID include:

• Mail postmarked to the applicant
• Illinois driver’s license or state ID card
• Municipal ID card (for example, the Chicago CityKey)
• Employee or student ID
• Social Security card
• Birth certificate
• Credit card
• Valid U.S. passport
• Lease or rental contract

If you are experiencing homelessness, a letter from a drop-in center, shelter, or the person in whose home they are living doubled-up can be provided as one form of ID. The letter must confirm that the named person has permission to use their address for the purpose of registering to vote.

To register to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen , be 18-years-old on or before Election Day, not be currently incarcerated for a conviction (if you are in pretrial detention and have not been convicted you are still eligible to vote), and not claim the right to vote elsewhere. Learn more about Voting in Pre-Detention .

When is ID needed and not needed to vote? 

Identification is not necessary if the homeless voter has already registered to vote at the polling place; the signature they provide matches the one on file; and an election judge does not challenge the person’s right to vote.

But identification is necessary if the homeless voter faces these situations:

• They registered by mail and did not include their Illinois ID/driver’s license number or Social Security number.
• An election judge challenges the person’s right to vote. Please note: A common reason for challenging a person’s right to vote occurs after the Board of Elections has sent mail to verify a voter’s mailing address and the mail was returned.
• If a voter needs to show ID but cannot present ID, they may cast a provisional ballot. For that provisional ballot to be counted, the voter must present ID to the Board of Elections within seven days of the election.

Voting after a recent move, whether homeless or housed

If you moved within the same precinct within 27 days of the election, you can vote a full ballot by signing an affidavit.

If you moved outside of your precinct more than 30 days before the election and did not register in your new precinct, you may grace-period update your registration through Election Day, and then grace-period vote.

If you moved outside of your precinct less than 30 days before the election, but still live in Illinois and did not transfer your registration, you may grace-period update your registration to your new address through Election Day and grace-period vote. Or, you can vote a full ballot in your old polling place after completing an affidavit.

Ballot Drop-Off Sites

Chicago Voters

Chicago voters may use any Secured Drop Box in the city. Please note: Whether you use the US Mail or a Drop Box, you must use the signed and sealed Ballot Return Envelope with your name on it to submit your ballot.

From September 26 through November 5
24-Hour Drop Box at 69 W. Washington St. (in front of building)
Through 7 p.m. on Election Day, November 5

From October 3 through November 5
Loop Supersite at 191 N. Clark St.
Weekdays: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
*From October 28 through November 4, open until 7 p.m. on weekdays
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Open Election Day (Nov. 5) 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.

From October 21 through November 5
Use the Drop Box at any Ward Early Voting Site
Weekdays: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Election Day (November 5): 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Illinois Voters

The Illinois State Board of Elections created a portal to help voters locate drop boxes in their county.

For Election Day assistance, call these legal help desks

Chicago Board of Elections
(312) 269-7870

Cook County Clerk’s Office
(312) 603-0236

Illinois State Board of Elections
Chicago: (312) 814-6440
Springfield: (217) 782-4141
Operators will be standing by until 11 p.m. in Chicago and until 12 midnight in Springfield.