How do I vote? Decatur & Macon County, Illinois

To vote you register, research the candidates and ballot measures, decide who to vote for, and then submit your ballot.

See Voter Information for more information.

1. Register to vote
2. Decide your votes
3. Get your ballot
4. Fill in your ballot
5. Deliver your ballot

Requirements

You MUST:

• Be registered to vote at your current address. Update your registration if you have moved, even to a different apartment in the same building.
• Be a United States Citizen.
• Be 18 on or before November 8th.
• Live in your election precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day.
• Not be in prison.
• Not claim the right to vote anywhere else.

1.) Register To Vote | Update Your Registration

First, check am I registered to vote?
If you have questions, contact the County Clerk's office at 217-424-1333.

• Register Online before October 24th (IL Driver's License or State ID Required)
• Register by Mail (pdf download), postmarked on or before October 11th.
• Register in person with two forms of ID (state id + utility bill or bank statement):
  • The County Clerk's Office at 141 South Main Street, Room 104 before November 8th.
  • The DMV at 3149 N. Woodford before October 11th.
  • With a Precinct Committeeperson or a Deputy Registrar before October 11th.
  • At your polling place on November 8th. Don't wait to register

2.) Decide Who You're Voting For

• View the Sample Ballot (view as pdf)
• Decide who to vote for
• Decide 'Yes' or 'No' on the Illinois Constitituional Amendment that guarantees workers the right to collective bargaining.
• Hickory Point: Decide 'Yes' or 'No' to allow a 0.40% property tax levy to fund an ambulance service
• South Wheatland Township: Decide 'Yes' or 'No' on continuing prohibition of retail alcohol sales. 'Yes' means "Continue Prohibition". 'No' means 'Do not prohibit alcohol sales'.

3.) Get Your Ballot

• In Person Voting
  • The County Clerk's Office at 141 South Main Street, Room 104 before November 8th, during early voting hours.
  • Your Polling Place on November 8th
• Mail in Voting
  • Request a ballot online
  • Mail in a request for your ballot (pdf download): Must be received at the Clerk's Office by November 3rd. See the form for the County Clerk's address.

4.) Fill in Your Ballot

• For County Board, choose up to three from your district.
• For every other office, choose one.
• Fill in bubbles completely with black pen.
• ALWAYS flip your ballot over to ensure you voted for everything.

5.) Deliver Your Ballot

• Voting In Person: Follow the instructions of the election judge. You'll put your ballot into the machine.
• Voting by mail:
  • Follow the instructions that come with your ballot. If you have questions, call the County at 217-424-1333 or see the State's Vote by Mail FAQ
  • Deliver to the secure drop-box at the South East corner of 141 S Main St (on Wood Street)
  • Mail to the County Building at 141 S Main St, room 119, using three stamps
  • Deliver in person to the County Building at 141 S Main St, room 119

Early Voting Office in the County Building

If you vote early or hand-deliver your ballot, this is the room you'll go to.