Voter and Election
Question & Answers

Since December 1, 1980, all elections have been governed under the provisions of the general election law of the State of Illinois, commonly referred to as Election Consolidation.

To be eligible to register to vote, a person must be a U.S. citizen; be l8 years of age as of the next election and reside in the precinct for 30 days prior to the next election. Naturalized citizens must provide the name of the court where naturalized, state and date of naturalization.

Who may register

Those who may register to vote are the following: All persons who have never registered in DeKalb County and all persons who have changed their name through marriage or otherwise.

Where to register

Eligible voters may register to vote at the following locations: City, Village and Township Clerks, most area banks, Kishwaukee College and Northern Illinois University, Public Libraries, Secretary of State Driver's License Facility and Republican and Democratic Party Representatives.

When is the deadline to register to vote:

The deadline to register to vote is 28 days prior to an election. 

Voters who have moved within DeKalb County since registering should notify the County Clerk by filling out the reverse of their voter registration cards and returning them to the County Clerk. Notice of change of address may also be given by letter listing the old and new addresses and mailed to the County Clerk's office. A notification for change of address, either by card or letter, must bear the signature of the voter and be mailed to: Sharon L. Holmes, DeKalb County Clerk, 110 East Sycamore Street, Sycamore, Illinois 60l78. All changes of address must be received by the County Clerk postmarked not later than midnight 28 days prior to any election conducted by the County Clerk.

Physically Disabled Voters

Citizens who are not registered to vote and cannot leave their home, hospital, nursing home or other institution because of a permanent physical disability can arrange for voter registration by contacting the County Clerk's office. Additionally persons with a permanent physical disability can arrange for a special voter's registration card which allows absentee voting without obtaining a physician's certificate for each election. Contact the County Clerk's office for information at 895-7150.

Unregistered Voters

Members of the Armed Forces, who expect to be absent from the County in the course of their duties, need not be registered to cast absentee ballots in all elections. This also applies to their spouses and dependents living with the service person. Contact should be made with the Commanding Officer for the appropriate applications.

Voting by Absentee Ballot

The following voters must be registered to vote by absentee ballot: Voters who expect to be absent from the county on election day and still maintain a residence within the county; Physically incapacitated voters who will be unable to go to the polling place on election day. Voters, who because of a religious holiday, will not be able to go to the polls on election day and sequestered jurors.

Absentee Voting By Mail

The official "Application for Absentee Ballot" may be sent to the County Clerk not more than 40 nor less than five days prior to the election. If the official application is filed within that time and is properly completed, ballots will be mailed to the applicant.

All ballots, whether used or not, must be returned to the County Clerk's office. In order for ballots to be counted, they must be returned to the County Clerk's office and postmarked by midnight the day "BEFORE" the election.

Absentee Voting In Person

Registered voters who expect to be absent from the county on election day may vote in person at the office of the County Clerk during normal business hours beginning 40 days prior to the election through the day prior to the election.