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, see below), 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?

• Office of 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 getting a new license, renewing your license or changing it in some way)

• Bloomington Public Library

• McLean County Clerk's office

• With your precinct committeeman.  Precinct committeeman information is available from the McLean County political party committees or on their websites.  See Links page.

• At a voter registration drive.  Volunteer deputy registrars work throughout the City of Bloomington.  Occasionally organizations hold voter registration drives which are announced in the local news media.

Can I register by mail?

YES.  THIS mail-in form may be used.  To type in form before printing, use this.  YOU MUST PRINT, SIGN, AND MAIL if using one of these forms.

• Print with a black pen and complete all areas of the application. 

• Sign the application.

• Mail to Bloomington Board of Elections, 115 E. Washington St., Room 403, PO Box 2400, Bloomington, IL  61702. 

• If you register by mail, BE SURE TO INCLUDE REQUIRED ID NUMBERS on the application. 

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

No. There is not 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 in a couple of weeks.  If you have not received a card within 30 days, call us at 309-888-5136.  The card tells which election districts you live in and where your regular polling place is located.  If you receive a new card and you have not requested it, it is likely there has been a change in your districts or polling place.  Your old card should then be thrown away.

In the summer of odd-numbered years, all voters in the city receive new cards.  Cards are not sent yearly or prior to each election. 

What 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 call or write to our office to request to register to vote. 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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