VOTER REGISTRATION

Voter registration is intended to prevent fraudulent voting on Election Day by providing a means of identifying voters.  Unless exempt (Members of the Armed Forces), a citizen must be properly registered before he/she is eligible to vote, to sign nomination petitions or to sign petitions for questions of public policy in the City of Bloomington.

Who is qualified to Register to Vote?

• Any person who is a citizen of the United States AND

• Is at least 18 years of age on or before the date of the next election (you may register prior to your 18th birthday)  AND

• Is a resident of the precinct at least 30 days as of the date of the next election AND

• Must provide two pieces of identification, at least one of which contains the applicant’s residential address.  Acceptable identification may include but is not limited to:
  Driver's License
  Social Security Card
  Utility Bill
  Employee or Student Identification Card
  Credit Card
  Birth Certificate
  Public Assistance Identification Card
  Library Card

When can I register to vote?

All registrations and address changes must be made in person or postmarked by the date 28 days preceding any election for the voter to be eligible to vote in that election.  The close of registration date is noted on the home page election calendar.  Registrations are accepted again two days following the election. 

Where can I register to vote?

•  The office of the Board of Elections, 115 E. Washington St., Room 403, Bloomington IL 61701. The hours are weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Department of Motor Vehicles Driver's License Facility (only if you are renewing your license or changing it in some way)

• Bloomington Public Library

• Bloomington Township office

• McLean County Clerk's office

• With your precinct committeeman.  Precinct committeeman information is available from the McLean County party websites.  See Links page.

• At a voter registration drive.  Volunteer deputy registrars work throughout the City of Bloomington and occasionally voter registration drives are held.  We may not be informed of these events, but there may be publicity in local news media.

Can I register by mail, by telephone, or online?

The mail-in form (PDF) may be used.  Print, complete all areas of the application, and mail to Bloomington Board of Elections, 115 E. Washington St., Room 403, PO Box 2400, Bloomington, IL  61702.  NOTE:  If you register by mail,  please send a copy of your identification forms with your application to register to vote. 

There is no telephone or online voter registration in Illinois.

How do I know if I am registered?

After your registration application is received and processed by our office, you will receive a voter registration post card in the mail.  This usually takes just a couple of weeks.  If you have not received a card within 30 days, please call us at 309-888-5136.  The card tells which election districts you live in and where your regular polling place is located.  Cards are not sent automatically for each election.  If you receive a new card, it is likely there has been a change in your districts or polling place.  Your old card should then be discarded.

What should I do if I change my name?

Any previously registered voter who changes his/her name must re-register and cancel the former registration.  A change of name requires a new registration and a new signature from the applicant.

MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

Registration requirements do not apply to members of the United States Armed Forces on active duty, members of the United States Armed Forces who have been discharged within 60 days before an election, or to certain qualified residents who are absent from McLean County.

PERSONS WITH A DISABILITY

Any qualified applicant who is disabled and unable to appear at a registration location may apply to be registered to vote over the telephone or in writing. Upon receipt of the request, the Board will send a registration officer to take the registration in person.  To request the registration of a disabled applicant, contact:
The Board of Election Commission Office
115 E. Washington St., Room 403
Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone (309) 888-5136
Fax     (309) 888-5776

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