For people who have never voted before, going to the polls, registering and marking the ballet is a new experience. With multiple elections approaching, students from out of state and first-time voters need to know what to do on Nov. 5. 

First-time voters must register before going to the polls on election day. For Jackson County voters, two forms of identification must be brought to the Circuit Clerk of Jackson County’s office to register. Voter’s must be 18 years old by election day and at least 17 years old to register to vote. 

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“You have to be a US citizen, you have to live in your precinct 30 plus days before the election and not be serving a sentence of confinement as a result of a conviction, you’ll need two forms of identification. One must be an Illinois picture ID and other one a current Illinois address, such as your electric bill,” Jackson County Circuit Clerk Frank Bryd said. 

Other forms of identification that are recognized are social security cards; public identification cards; utility bills; employee or student identification cards; lease or contract for a residence; credit cards; or a civic; union or professional membership card. 

The County Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday 8am to 4pm. It is located inside of the Jackson County Courthouse. The address is 1001 Walnut St, Murphysboro, Illinois. 

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“You can come to my office and you can register to vote. We’re open eight to four and we would just need those documents,” Byrd said. 

Until Oct. 8, residents of Illinois have the option to register online to vote. On the Illinois State Board of Election website people can provide their documents to the State Board to register without having to go in person. 

“You can go online to the State Board of election until Oct. 8, and then you cannot, because that’s when they close it. You will have to have documentation to give the State Board of Election to register. It’s fairly simple,” Byrd said. 

For students that are not residents of Illinois or a US citizen, voting registration begins Oct. 9th. Non-citizens are still required to bring documentation such as their state identification and proof of residency. 

“They can do grace-period voting. They would have to register to vote, but they would register at their new location and be able to vote, but they would again need documentation showing that they are a resident here,” Byrd said. 

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