Voter Resources

The Cook County Clerk's office is the chief election authority for more than 120 towns and villages in suburban Cook County, including the City of Des Plaines. Election information is available at cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections! See who's on your ballot on Cook County's Your Voter Information page.

Register to Vote

Are you a Des Plaines resident that would like to register to vote? Perhaps your address has changed, or you meet the age requirements to vote since your last birthday? Registering to vote has never been easier or more convenient. You can register online, in person or via through the mail. Just visit cookcountyclerk.com/elections/registertovote today! Think you're already registered? Find out here.

Did you recently receive U.S. Citizenship and want to vote?

If you were not born in the United States and possess citizenship papers, it is essential that you bring your papers to the office when you register to vote.

1. At least 18 years old by Election Day
2. A resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to Election Day

You also must display two pieces of identification. Neither needs to be a photo ID, but one must include your current address.

(Note: In Illinois, you do not declare affiliation with a political party when you register to vote. In primary elections, you may choose to vote a specific party ballot on Election Day.)

Ways to Vote

Find your Election Day polling place at the Cook County Clerk's voter information page. Looking to skip the lines? Click here to learn about early voting. Cook County also offers Permanent Vote By Mail, which allows you to vote by mail in all subsequent elections held in Cook County. You will still have the option to vote by mail in a single election if you so choose. Any registered suburban Cook County voter may request a mail ballot until five days before an election at the Cook County Clerk's website. The Des Plaines Public Library is an early voting location, but NOT an election day polling place. Click here to see early voting locations, dates and hours.

City Hall is an election day polling place, but NOT an early voting location. 

Ward Changes

The 2020 Census data shows Des Plaines highest population to date, topping 60,000. New ward boundaries were adopted by City Council in May 2022 to more equally distribute the population recorded in the decennial Census results. The new boundaries will be in effect for the upcoming local elections.

To see the current ward maps, visit the ward and precinct map page or check the online Community Portal. Just type your address into the search bar and click the tabs to find ward information!