Elections

Registering to vote allows individuals to participate in elections and provides the opportunity to help decide who will serve in elected office. It is unlawful for any person to vote at any primary, general, consolidated, or special election unless such person is at the time of such election a registered voter.

Voter registration is accepted year-round, except during the 27 days prior to any election when voter registration is closed.

To register to vote you need to meet the following requirements:

• You MUST be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must be 18 years of age ON or BEFORE the date of the NEXT GENERAL ELECTION or 17 years of age to vote in a Primary Election if the individual will be 18 ON or BEFORE the date of the General Election.
• You MUST be a resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to election day.
• You MUST not be convicted and in jail.
• You MUST not claim the right to vote anywhere else.

Acceptable Forms of Identification:

Two forms of identification are required to become registered. One must show your name and current address. The second form must show your name.

• Illinois driver’s license/ID Card
• Employee or student ID
• Credit Card
• Social Security card
• Birth certificate
• Utility bill in applicant’s name
• Valid U.S. Passport
• Public Aid ID Card
• Lease or Rental Contract
• Any piece of mail delivered to you at your residence

Ways to Register to Vote in Effingham County

• You may register to vote in person at the Effingham County Clerk’s office during regular business hours. Our office is located at 101 N. Fourth St, Effingham.
• You may register in person with any deputy registrar of either political party.
• You may register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections. Registering online is easy and safe. Once you have completed the required information, it is transmitted from the State Board of Elections to the County Clerk’s office. We verify the information and send you a voter registration card. Online voter registration application is available here.
• You may also download a voter registration form online, complete it, and mail it to the County Clerk’s office.

Note: When registering to vote by mail you must vote in person the first time either at your polling place or by casting a ballot in the County Clerk’s Office. Please be sure to read the important information section on the mail-in application carefully and print legibly.

When submitting a voter registration application:

• Fill out the entire application.
• Sign the application.
• It is required to return the completed application in person OR mail to:
  Effingham County Clerk
  101 N. Fourth St.
  PO Box 268
  Effingham IL 62401
• The voter registration application CANNOT be sent electronically.
• Mail-in voter registration applications are available here.

If You Change Your Address:

• If you are currently registered to vote in Effingham County and have moved within the county, you may change/update your voter registration by completing the information on the reverse side of our voter registration card. Then return the card to the County Clerk’s office. If you have misplaced your voter’s card, contact the County Clerk’s office at 217-342-6535.
• If you are currently registered to vote in Effingham County and have moved outside the county, you MUST re-register with the local election authority in your new county of residence.

If You Change Your Name:

• A person who changes his/her name must re-register to vote.

Cancellation of Voter Registration:

Once a citizen is registered to vote his/her name is to remain on the registration roster as long as they remain eligible to vote in the election jurisdiction. Removal of a voter’s name from the list of registered voters or cancellation of their registration may only be for the following reasons:

• Request of the voter – This must be done in writing that their name be removed from the voter registration files or a voter may acknowledge that they no longer reside in that election jurisdiction.
• Incarceration – If a voter is incarcerated pursuant to a conviction of a crime, the registration may be canceled.
• Death – If the election authority receives proof of the death of a registered voter, the registration may be canceled.

Am I Registered to Vote?

Check your Voter Registration status by clicking this link:  Voter registration lookup

You will also find information on current elections, your polling place, voting districts and current elected officials.

If you are unable to vote in person at the polling place on election day, you may vote by mail. Vote by mail is available prior to each election. This voting option allows registered voters to cast their ballot without having to go to the polling place. The ballots are then tabulated on election night. Vote by mail is a safe and secure way to vote for any election.

If you spoil your vote by mail ballot in any manner, you may return the entire ballot to the Effingham County Clerk’s office and request a new ballot.

PLEASE NOTE: In order for your ballot to be counted, your ballot must be postmarked NO later than Election Day and received within 14 days following the Election Day.

Interested voters may apply for a vote by mail ballot prior to the election by completing a vote by mail application.

Application to Vote by Mail – General on November 5, 2024.

Vote by Mail Instructions

To check the status of your vote by mail ballot, click here. here

Early voting allows for registered voters to vote in person, in advance of Election Day without having to provide a reason or an excuse. Early voting starts 40 days before election day and ends the day prior to the election You may vote early at the Effingham Count Building. Please note that once a voter casts an early ballot, the vote cast is final and may not be revoked and the voter is NOT eligible to cast a vote on Election Day.

Early Voting for the March 19, 2024 General Primary Elections begins on Thursday, February 8, 2024 and ends on Monday, March 18, 2024.

State Board of Elections Early Voting Pamphlet

PUBLIC NOTICE

Early Voting Schedule
Effingham County, Illinois

For the General Primary Election on Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The schedule for Early Voting in Effingham County, Illinois will be as follows:
In-person in the Benwood Conference Room, First Floor
101 North Fourth Street
Effingham, IL  62401
Thursday, February 8, 2024 through Monday, March 18, 2024
Saturday, March 16, 2024- 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (noon)

All precincts within the County of Effingham will be served at the County Clerk’s office.

Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act
— MOVE ACT —

The Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act was enacted in October 2009.  The goal of the MOVE Act is to allow easier ballot access to the men and women in uniform by providing new tools which allow more time to participate in the electoral process.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program also helps uniformed service members and their families in the voting process, but includes U.S. citizens living outside the U.S. as well. Both programs help to assist voters in the electoral process.

Important Dates:

• Friday, February 2nd  – first day vote by mail ballots for military and overseas voters can be mailed
• Monday, March 11th – last day a military or overseas voter can request a vote by mail ballot
• Tuesday, March 19th – Election Day – last day any vote by mail ballot can be postmarked to the Clerk’s Office
• Tuesday, April 2nd – last day any vote by mail ballot can be received at the Clerk’s Office to be counted in the General Primary election

How to request your ballot as a Military or Overseas voter:

• The most secure option is to utilize the Illinois MOVE site. After making an account, voters can register, request a vote by mail ballot, and update their contact info as needed. This site was designed to help ease the burden of members of the Uniformed Services (and their eligible dependents) and overseas voters with their vote by mail ballot application. This site will give you the ability to keep in contact with your local election official and to track the status of your application and ballot. Go to https://move.elections.il.gov to create your account.
• You may also visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program’s website at www.fvap.gov for information on voting by mail registration and voting process. Ensure that you have applied for your vote by mail ballot using the hard copy or on-line versions of FPCA.

Requirements:

• Returned ballots must be postmarked no later than midnight preceding the Election
• Ballots must be received within 14 days after the election to be counted.

Grace Period allows for the registration of voters and for the change of address during the period from the close of registration. Grace Period is available for 27 days before an election and on Election Day. During this period, an unregistered elector may register to vote or submit a change of address ONLY in person at the Effingham County Clerk’s office. The voter must fulfill the same requirements to register to vote and provide ID. Grace Period registrations must register AND vote early at the same time. Please note that once a voter cast a grace period ballot, the vote cast is final and may not be revoked and the voter is not eligible to case a vote on Election Day.

Grace Period Registration and Voting for the March 19, 2024 General Primary Elections begins on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 and ends on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

The following is a list of all current polling locations in Effingham County. If you are not sure of your precinct, check your voter registration card. You can also use the Voter Information Lookup link below.

Illinois Online Polling Place Lookup

Effingham County Polling Locations

Precinct – Location

WEST – West Township Town Hall, 3347 E. 300th, Mason, IL

MOUND 1 – Altamont Municipal Building, 202 N. Second St, Altamont

MOUND 2 – Altamont Municipal Building, 202 N Second St, Altamont

MOUND 3 – Altamont Municipal Building, 202 N. Second St, Altamont

MOCCASIN – Moccasin Township Town Hall, 16014 N 245th St., Altamont

LIBERTY – Kluthe Center, 100 Park Road, Beecher City

MASON – Mason Civic Center, 861 East Washington St, Mason

JACKSON – Jackson Township Town Hall, 8995 E 900th Ave, Effingham

SUMMIT 1 – Pearson Building, 15170 N Beach Road, Lake Sara

SUMMIT 2 – Pearson Building, 15170 N Beach Road, Lake Sara

SUMMIT 3 – Community Building, 9282 East Park Ave, Lake Sara

SUMMIT 4 – Community Building, 9282 East Park Ave, Lake Sara

SUMMIT 5 – Community Building, 9282 East Park Ave, Lake Sara

BANNER – Shumway Kluthe Center, 104 E Front St, Shumway

WATSON 1 – Effingham Co. Emergency Services Bldg. 311 W Miracle Ave, Effingham

WATSON 2 – Watson Civic Center, 103 N Jackson St, Watson

WATSON 3 – Effingham Co. Emergency Services Bldg. 311 W Miracle Ave, Effingham

UNION – Union Township Town Hall, 14990 East 300th Ave, Dieterich

DOUGLAS 1 – St. Mary’s Catholic Ch. Parish Ctr., 20057 N 1525th St, Effingham

DOUGLAS 2 – New Hope Church, 2210 North Raney St, Effingham

DOUGLAS 3 – St. Anthony High School, 304 East Roadway Ave, Effingham

DOUGLAS 4 – U of I Cooperative Extension Ct., 1209 North Wenthe St, Effingham

DOUGLAS 5 – St. Anthony High School, 304 East Roadway Ave, Effingham

DOUGLAS 6 – St. Anthony High School, 304 East Roadway Ave, Effingham

DOUGLAS 7 – St. Anthony High School, 304 East Roadway Ave, Effingham

DOUGLAS 8 – First Baptist Church, 213 West Fayette Ave, Effingham

DOUGLAS 9 – First Baptist Church, 213 West Fayette Ave, Effingham

DOUGLAS 10 – First Baptist Church, 213 West Fayette Ave, Effingham

DOUGLAS 11 – First Baptist Church, 213 West Fayette Ave, Effingham

DOUGLAS 12 – Effingham Park Dist. Ron Diehl Ctr., 1906 S. Fourth St, Effingham

DOUGLAS 13 – Effingham Park Dist. Ron Diehl Ctr., 1906 S. Fourth St, Effingham

DOUGLAS 14 – Effingham Park Dist. Ron Diehl Ctr., 1906 S. Fourth St, Effingham

TEUTOPOLIS 1 – Teutopolis Village Hall, 106 W. Main St, Teutopolis

TEUTOPOLIS 2 – Teutopolis Township Town Hall, 200 S. John St., Teutopolis

TEUTOPOLIS 3 – American Legion, 106 North Plum St, Teutopolis

LUCAS – Lucas Town Hall, 20950 E. 300th Ave, Dieterich

BISHOP – Kluthe Civic Center, 102 W Virginia St, West entrance, Dieterich

ST. FRANCIS – Montrose Municipal Building, 208 W National Rd, Montrose

Judges of Elections are responsible for the administration of election procedures in the polling place on Election Day. They are in the position of ensuring that the election process is administered fairly and in accordance with the law. Election Judges help guarantee the rights of voters are protected on Election Day.

Illinois statutes specify the qualifications for be a poll worker.

The qualifications are:

• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Be a registered voter in Effingham County;
• Be of good repute and character and not subject to the registration requirement of the Sex Offender Registration Act;
• Be able to speak, read and write the English language;
• Be skilled in the four fundamental rules of arithmetic (addition, subtraction, division & multiplication)
• Be of good understanding and capable;
• Not be a candidate for any office in the election and not be an elected committeeman;
• Reside in the precinct from where judge is selected to serve and
• Election Judges are required to declare party affiliation.

Election Judges are chosen by the County Clerk and by the Party Chairperson.  In each precinct the party which casts the highest average number of votes at the three most recent gubernatorial elections in the precinct shall be represented by three judges; the party which casts the second highest number of votes at the three most recent gubernatorial elections in the precinct shall be represented by two judges.

Training is offered for Election Judges before each election, no matter what type. The training course covers the duties and responsibilities of election judges and includes a test.

In Effingham County judges who work an election day with training will receive $215.

Judges who work an election day without training will receive $170.

Training is important!!

In the polling place, the judges are responsible for ensuring the electoral process is administered fairly and in accordance with federal and state election laws. Election judges serve as officers of the circuit court and swear to uphold the constitution of the United States and the State of Illinois in performing their duties.

All judges in the polling place have equal authority and responsibility regardless of their length of service. There is no “head judge” and judges should rotate the various duties during the day.

The polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Judges are required to report to the polling place in which they are serving by 5:00 a.m. and are required to remain until after the polls close. Then all forms, certificates and affidavits are completed and signed and all election materials are packaged for return to the County Building . Two judges (one from each political party) must return to the County Building with the election supplies and counted ballots at the end of the night.

Duties include:

• Open and close the polls;
• Take responsibility for all election materials, supplies and ballots;
• Ensure that only qualified electors are permitted to vote and that each qualified voter is permitted to vote once and only once;
• Be able to give instructions in the method of voting when requested by a voter;
• Be able to give assistance to illiterate and physically disabled voters;
• Maintain order in the polling place throughout the day of election;
• Tally the vote after the polls close and certify the result in that precinct and
• Monitor the polling place to ensure no electioneering is taking place within the campaign free zone.

• Complete the election judge application here.
• Contact the County Clerk’s office by email countyclerk@effinghamcountyil.gov or call 217-342-6535.
• 2-3 months before the next election the County Clerk’s office will contact you about serving in that election.

• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Be a Senior or Junior in good standing, enrolled in a public or private secondary school;
• Have a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale;
• Have written approval of parent or legal guardian;
• Have written approval of school principal;
• Complete the training course for Election Judges;
• Reside in Effingham County;
• Meet all other qualifications of Election Judges as noted above.

• Experience how elections are conducted;
• Valuable training on specifics of polling place operation;
• Appreciation for our election process;
• Encouragement to become involved in the process;

Student Election Judges are trained and compensated in the same manner as other Election Judges. A student is required to declare party affiliation in order to serve.

Contact the County Clerk’s office by email countyclerk@co.effingham.il.us or call 217-342-6535 to express your interest in serving as a Student Judge of Election.

Qualifying students should complete the Application for Student Election Judge, which also can be obtained from your high school principal.

Application can be found here

Candidates are strongly advised to obtain legal counsel regarding their legal qualifications for office, the proper method of completing the petition forms with respect to the office, the qualifications of signers and circulators and other information.

Candidate Petition Filing Info

2024 Candidate’s Guide

2024 Election and Campaign Finance Calendar

SBE No. P-10 Petition
SBE No. P-1 Statement of Candidacy
SBE No. 1-C Loyalty Oath – Optional
SBE No. P-26 Petition- County Board Member
Statement of Economic Interest

SBE No. P Precinct Committeeperson Statement of Candidacy
SBE No. P-27 Precinct Committeeperson Petition