Correction: This story is being reprinted because it ran in the Sept. 4 edition with the following errors: 

– The previous version of this story incorrectly stated that people who are not U.S. citizens are eligible to vote. Only U.S. citizens may vote in U.S. elections. 

– The county office that administers elections is the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. An earlier version incorrectly identified it as the Circuit Clerk’s Office.

Advertisement

– A photo I.D. is not required to register to vote in Illinois. An earlier version inaccurately stated the requirements for voter registration. 

– The previous version contained incorrect deadlines. 

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 County Clerk and Recorder’s Office to register. Voter’s must be 18 years old by election day and at least 17 years old to register to vote. 

Advertisement*

“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,” Jackson County Clerk Frank Byrd said. 

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, two forms of identification with at least one showing a current residence address are needed to register in-person. Registering by mail requires proof of identity by submission of a driver’s license number or State identification card number. 

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 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located inside of the Jackson County Courthouse. The address is 1001 Walnut St, Murphysboro, Illinois. 

“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. 

Through Oct. 20, 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. 

Regular registration deadline is Oct. 8. After the deadline, voters can register during grace-period registration. 

“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. 

Grace-period registration includes registering to vote and voting on the same day. This is an in-person process that takes place at the Jackson County Clerk’s office.

Early voting will take place at the Jackson County Clerk’s office for the Nov. 5 general election on weekdays beginning Sept. 26. Early voting will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2 as well from 8 a.m to noon. 

Jackson County will have several polls open for early voting. The Carbondale Civic Center will have polls open Oct. 16, Oct. 18, Oct. 21, Oct. 22, Oct. 23 and Oct. 25. The SIU student center will have polls open Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 30, Oct. 31, and Nov. 1. Voters must be registered prior to early voting at these locations.

Advertisement