The June 28 primary election in Illinois is right around the corner. Voters in both of the major political parties are choosing their nominees for statewide and federal offices, state legislative races plus candidates in more local races to square off in the general election in November. Voters in some municipalities are also deciding the fates of school, library, fire district and other ballot questions.

To help get you ready, we checked in with St. Clair County Clerk Thomas Holbrook, St. Clair County Elections Supervisor Laura Kaemmerer, with information from the Madison County Clerk’s Voters Guide, plus the Illinois State Board of Elections.

What’s the difference between a primary and a general election?

Primary elections are designed to give political parties an opportunity to choose their candidates for the fall elections. You must be registered in one of the major parties to participate in the primary and you can only vote for candidates who belong to your party.

Anyone can request a nonpartisan ballot to vote only on local municipal questions in their communities.

How do I register to vote and what’s the deal with same-day voter registration?

To register, you must have two forms of identification.

While the voter registration deadline in Illinois has passed, the state still allows what’s called Grace Period Voting. We’re in the Grace Period now. According to the Illinois State Board of Elections:

“During the grace period people can register and vote: 1) at the office of the election authority; 2) at a permanent polling place established by the election authority; 3) at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election; 4) at some polling places on Election Day; 5) at a location specifically designated for this purpose by the election authority.”

In St. Clair County, Grace Period voters can do so at any polling place on election day, but you’ll want to consult your local election authority if you have questions.

If you register during the Grace Period, you have to vote at the same time, as a guardrail against potential fraud.

Early Voting

In Illinois, there’s no such thing as “Absentee voting” anymore. Early voting has been underway since May 19 and continues until 7pm on June 27 (the day before election day). You can vote in person at the County Clerk’s office or with East St. Louis, at the Board of Elections Commissioners.

Starting June 13, St. Clair County’s satellite locations in Fairview Heights and O’Fallon will open with daily hours through June 27.

Vote by Mail

State law allows voters to request a ballot to vote by mail 5 days before an election (June 23). They have to be postmarked by June 28 but can be received by mail up to 14 days following an election. Many election authorities use secure dropboxes, which can take ballots until polls close at 7pm on June 28.

When does my vote get counted?

Your vote doesn’t get counted until after polls close on election day. But state law does allow election authorities to process your ballot up to 15 days before an election. That means election judges can check to make sure your ballot’s signature is correct, that your ballot was filled out properly. It’s ok if you don’t vote in every race.

What about Redistricting?

The process of redrawing the state’s political boundaries, done every 10 years according to census data, was relatively easier in Illinois compared to its neighbors in Missouri, which only last month approved new congressional district maps.

St. Clair County mailed out new voter cards to approximately 175,000 voters and had 24,000 returned as undeliverable. Election Supervisor Laura Kaemmerer says it’s a good idea to double-check on election day that your polling place is correct and that you’ve got the right ballot.

New Law

Are you 17? In Illinois, that means you can now register to vote. If you’ll be 18 on or before the general election day of November 8, 2022, that means you can cast a primary vote too.

What about Election Security?

Election machinery, from the machines themselves to the tabulators, are not connected to the internet in Illinois.

In St. Clair County, security is top of mind for election officials, who will be using new equipment purchased last year for $1.3 million from Election Systems & Software.

“We wanted to make sure whatever we bought was going to be secure.None of our machines are hooked up to the internet at all, there are paper copies, just like our past equipment was, paper copies of all ballots, so as far as the integrity of the election, ES&S has not been called into question anywhere, to my knowledge to date, anywhere on this equipment,” St. Clair County Clerk Thomas Holbrook said.

In coordination with other local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, St. Clair County also has a Voter Integrity Hotline (618-825-2366) and an email address (Voterintegrity@stclaircountyil.gov) where people can report concerns about voter fraud.

Holbrook said people with concerns are invited to be part of the process. “We want them involved to show them the integrity of our system,” he said.

Still have questions?

St. Clair County’s Voter Information Guide

Madison County Primary Election Guide

Illinois State Board of Elections