County Clerk's Office

Frequently Asked Questions:

Registration Questions
How do I register to vote?
Can I register at a public assistance office?
Can I register to vote by mailing an application to my election office?
Do I ever have to re-register?
Do I have to re-register every election?
How will I know that I am registered?
When can I consider myself officially registered to vote?
What are the voter registration requirements?
Do I need identification when I register to vote?
What if I'm not listed as being registered to vote at the vote center?
When can I register to vote?
Is there a deadline to register?
Where can I register to vote?
Will I automatically be registered to vote when I renew my driver's license?
What should I do if I change my name?
What if I move, can I still vote?
Voting Questions
If I mail in an application to vote, can I vote by absentee ballot?
Can I receive help in voting my ballot?
How do I vote?
May I vote for a write-in candidate?
My next door neighbor's ballot is different than mine, why?
What if I can't make it to my vote center?
What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
What is early voting?
What is grace period voting?
What is absentee voting?
When is a person allowed to vote absentee?
Miscellaneous Questions
What options do voters with disabilities have?
Can a registered voter sign petitions for candidates of more than one political party for the same primary election?
May a voter who voted republican in the last primary election now sign a petition for a democratic candidate?
What could happen if a voter signs one party's petitions for the primary election but requests another party's ballot at that primary election?
Do I have to declare a political party preference?
Is a lottery conducted for party placement on the ballot?
How can I help with elections?
May I use a cell phone in the polling place?
What's on my ballot?
When is election day?

Q:	How do I register to vote?
A:	You can register to vote in-person or by mail. Click here to read details.
Q:	Can I register at a public assistance office?
A:	Yes. Any person who requests public assistance will be given an opportunity to register to vote. If you are already registered, there will be no need to register again unless you change your name or move.
Q:	Can I register to vote by mailing an application to my election office?
A:	Yes. Under Federal law, citizens may apply to register to vote by mailing in an application. The applications are available at some public and private facilities where you live. When you register by mail your mail-in form must be postmarked prior to the close of registration. Click here to learn more about registering by mail.
Q:	Do I ever have to re-register?
A:	No, not unless you: Move to a different address Change your name
Q:	Do I have to re-register every election?
A:	Your registration is permanent unless you move or change your name. Under those circumstances, you must re-register.
Q:	How will I know that I am registered?
A:	Each newly registered voter will receive a voter identification card in the mail within a few weeks of registering. It is not necessary to bring the card with you on Election Day.
Q:	When can I consider myself officially registered to vote?
A:	As soon as you receive a voter ID card in the mail, you can consider yourself registered. If you do not receive an ID card within three (3) weeks after you have registered, call your County Clerk's Office.
Q:	What are the voter registration requirements?
A:	You must be: a U.S. Citizen; at least 18 years of age by election day; must have been a resident of the precinct at least 30 days prior to election day. Back to top
Q:	Do I need identification when I register to vote?
A:	Two forms of identification with one showing your current residence address. If you register by mail, you must vote in person the first time you vote. Click here to see a list of acceptable forms of identification.
Q:	What if I'm not listed as being registered to vote at the vote center?
A:	The Election Judge must call the County Clerk's Office to verify whether you are eligible to vote and to get further instructions. These instructions will depend on the circumstances of why you are not listed.
Q:	When can I register to vote?
A:	Registration is open year round except: During the 27-day period just prior to an election; During the 2 days after such election.
Q:	Is there a deadline to register?
A:	You must register to vote no later than 28 days before an election. Exception: Grace Period Registration New legislation provides for in-person voter registration, or execution of a change of address for an already registered voter, during the period of the 27th to the 7th day before an election. normally, voter registration closes 28 days prior to election day. However, this new legislation provides a "grace period" whereby a person may register at the office of the election authority only during the twenty-one (21) day period following the normal close of registration. Anyone registering during this period will be required to vote in person at the time of registering. All "grace period" ballots will then be counted in the office of the election authority and not transmitted or counted in the vote center. Grace period voters cannot cancel their ballot and vote in the vote center on election day.
Q:	Where can I register to vote?
A:	You can register to vote at: The County Clerk's Office; 1504 Third Avenue Rock Island IL Any Township, City or Village Clerk's Office; Any major public library; Rock Island; Moline; East Moline; Silvis Your precinct committeeperson Click here to view more details regarding voter registration locations. Back to top
Q:	Will I automatically be registered to vote when I renew my driver's license?
A:	No. But you will be given the opportunity to register to vote. If you are already registered to vote, there is no need to register again unless you change your name or move.
Q:	What should I do if I change my name?
A:	If you changed your name and moved outside the precinct before the election and did not re-register, you cannot vote. A person who changed his or her name before the election, and still lives in the same precinct and is otherwise qualified and did not re-register, may vote after completing an affidavit. A woman who continues to use her maiden name after marriage may vote without having to complete an affidavit if registered under her maiden name. Click here for more details.
Q:	What if I move, can I still vote?
A:	It depends on when you move. If you moved within 27 days of the election in the same precinct you can vote a full ballot by signing an affidavit. If you moved more than 30 days before the election and did not transfer your registration, you cannot vote (Exception: In even year elections you can vote for federal offices only, after completing an affadavit for "change of address"). If you moved within 30 days before the election outside of your precinct, but you still live in the State, and did not transfer your registration, you can vote a full ballot in your old polling place after completing an affidavit.
Q:	Can I receive help in voting my ballot?
A:	If you have difficulty voting your ballot, you may request assistance from a friend, family member or Election Judges in your vote center. Both the voter and the individual(s) providing assistance must sign a legal affidavit. Contact the County Clerk's Office at (309) 786-VOTE or (309) 786-8683 for details.
Q:	How do I vote?
A:	Voting instructions are posted in each voting booth on election day. Also, an Election Judge will offer you a demonstration.
Q:	May I vote for a write-in candidate?
A:	Write-in votes will count only for candidates who have filed a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate as required. The last day to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate is 61 days prior to the election. Back to top
Q:	My next door neighbor's ballot is different than mine, why?
A:	Your ballot may differ from your neighbors because precinct boundaries and units of government may not necessarily coincide. Ballot styles are specific to those candidates and issues for which you are entitled to vote.
Q:	What if I can't make it to my vote center?
A:	If you are unable to make it to your vote center on election day, you may be eligible to vote by absentee ballot before the election. Common reasons for voting absentee include: being out of the county; physical disability; Early and grace period voting. Click here to learn more about early and grace period voting. Voters who wish to vote absentee must submit an absentee ballot application no later than five (5) days before an election. You may click here to download and print an absentee ballot application or you may call (309) 786-VOTE, (309) 786-8683 or (309) 558-3571 to receive an absentee ballot application in the mail or to request curb-side voting.
Q:	What if I make a mistake on my ballot?
A:	If you make a mistake while voting your ballot, ask an Election Judge for a new ballot. If voting an absentee ballot, call (309) 786-8683 or (309) 558-3571 to request another ballot be sent.
Q:	What is early voting?
A:	This law allows any person to vote early during the 22nd through the 5th day preceding an election. Any voter may cast a ballot during this 17 day period and needs no excuse or reason, unlike the requirements for absentee voting. The law prohibits a person who voted during the early voting period from voting again on election day, and a list of all early voters will be provided to the judges of election prior to the opening of the polls.
Q:	What is grace period voting?
A:	New legislation provides for in-person voter registration, or execution of a change of address for an already registered voter, during the period of the 27th to the 7th day before an election. Normally, voter registration closes 28 days prior to election day. However, this new legislation provides a "grace period" whereby a person may register at the office of the election authority only during the twenty-one (21) day period following the normal close of registration. Anyone registering during this period will be required to vote in person at the time of registering. All "grace period" ballots will then be counted in the office of the election authority and not transmitted or counted in the vote center. Grace period voters cannot cancel their ballot and vote in the vote center on election day.
Q:	What is absentee voting?
A:	Many registered voters in Illinois are unable to vote in-person at the polling place or voting center Election Day. Click here to download the Application for Absentee ballot.
Q:	When is a person allowed to vote absentee?
A:	You must submit an application for an absentee ballot (Click here to download the Application for an Absentee ballot): By Mail - Not more than 40 days nor less than five(5) days prior to the election; or In Person - Not more than 40 days nor less than 1 day prior to the election Back to top
Q:	What options do voters with disabilities have?
A:	The County Clerk's Office is committed to enhancing access to the polls to make it easier for disabled voters to cast ballots independently. Several assistance programs and services are available, including absentee voting, wheelchair-accessible voting equipment and voting aids. For more information, call (309) 786-VOTE, (309) 786-8683 or (309) 558-3571.
Q:	Can a registered voter sign petitions for candidates of more than one political party for the same primary election?
A:	NO.
Q:	May a voter who voted republican in the last primary election now sign a petition for a democratic candidate?
A:	Yes. However, no one may sign petitions for candidates of more than one political party for the same primary election.
Q:	What could happen if a voter signs one party's petitions for the primary election but requests another party's ballot at that primary election?
A:	Illinois Statutes (10 ilcs 5/7-43) provide that no person shall be allowed to vote a party ballot in the primary election if the person signed the nominating petition of any candidate of another party or an independent candidate for any office for which such candidate is to be voted for at that primary election. If a voter requests the ballot of another party in the primary election, that voter’s right to vote that party’s ballot could be challenged in the polling place.
Q:	Do I have to declare a political party preference?
A:	In Illinois, you do not declare a party when you register to vote. In primary elections, you must declare a specific political party ballot on election day.
Q:	Is a lottery conducted for party placement on the ballot?
A:	For the general election, a lottery is conducted by each election authority for all established parties to determine the proper order of party placement on the ballot. This lottery is held within 30 days following the proclamation of the results of the primary election. New parties are involved in a lottery when there is a simultaneous filing with the State Board of Elections or the county Clerk. The State Board of Elections conducts the lottery for new parties which file in the Springfield office and the election authorities must use such order. No party lottery is done for the primary election since each party has its own ballot, separate from any other established party.
Q:	How can I help with elections?
A:	Registered voters who are residents of Rock Island County are encouraged to serve as Election Judges. Each judge can receive up to $140 for attending a training session and working at the vote center on election day. To learn more about becoming an election judge, you may click here or you may contact the County Clerk's Office at (309) 786-VOTE, (309) 786-8683 or (309) 558-3571
Q:	May I use a cell phone in the polling place?
A:	Cellular phones should not be brought in and used by a voter in the vote center. A voter using a cellular phone in the vote center may be considered electioneering.
Q:	What's on my ballot?
A:	Approximately two(2) weeks before the election, a specimen ballot is printed in the newspaper and will be available online. You can also call the County Clerk's Office at (309) 786-VOTE, (309) 786-8683 or (309) 558-3571 for further information (or to have a specimen ballot sent to you).
Q:	When is election day?
A:	Even-year elections take place throughout the County on the first (1st) Tuesday in February (Primary election) and the first (1st) Tuesday in November (General Election). Odd-year elections take place throughout the county on the third (3rd) Tuesday in February (Primary Election in some jurisdictions) and the first (1st) Tuesday in April (General Election).