DeKalb County, Illinois
Voting in DeKalb County, Illinois? Find registration links, ID rules, early and absentee voting options and your sample ballot here. Home to about 101,000 people, DeKalb County ranks 19th in population among Illinois's 102 counties. In Illinois, elections are run by local election authorities: usually the county clerk, or a board of election commissioners in some cities and counties.
Next Election
March 21, 2028
Voter Portal
Register Online
What's On My Ballot?
ID Requirements
Absentee / Early Voting
Registration Deadline
Register by mail at least 28 days before an election or online until 16 days before; grace-period and same-day registration are also available in person through Election Day.
Why Voting Matters
In DeKalb County, the people who show up to vote decide who represents everyone. The next election for DeKalb County voters is Illinois's general primary on March 21, 2028; local elections can come sooner, so check your local election office. With health care and retail among the county's biggest employers, issues like health care costs are decided by the officials voters choose.
About 47,200 people voted for president in DeKalb County in 2024 (down about 2% from 48,000 in 2020). That equals roughly 59% of the county's estimated 79,800 adults, above the statewide rate of about 56%.
Around 32,600 adults here did not vote for president. Some aren't eligible, yet the rest are untapped power: one more voter in every 20 of them would mean about 1,630 extra DeKalb County ballots, enough to change the result in many close contests.
Across about 631 square miles, DeKalb County averages around 161 people per square mile, mixing neighborhoods, towns and open land. The county is home to about 0.8% of Illinois's population.
ZIP codes in or partly in DeKalb County include 60111, 60112, 60115, 60119, 60129, 60135, 60140 and 60145, plus 17 more. Confirm your registration, read through your sample ballot before Election Day, and choose whether you will vote early, by mail or in person. Invite someone you know in DeKalb County to join you.
Voter Assistance Resources
Questions about voting in DeKalb County? In Illinois, elections are run by local election authorities: usually the county clerk, or a board of election commissioners in some cities and counties. For registration, polling places, early voting and absentee ballots, contact the DeKalb County election authority (county clerk or board of election commissioners).
Statewide directory, Illinois State Board of Elections' election authorities list:
https://www.elections.il.gov/electionoperations/ElectionAuthorities.aspx
See your sample ballot. Illinois election authorities list (your local election authority posts sample ballots):
https://www.elections.il.gov/electionoperations/ElectionAuthorities.aspx
You can also preview a personalized ballot at Vote411.org.
To ask a question or report a problem at the polls, call or text Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683), a free nonpartisan hotline. For help in Spanish call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682); for Asian languages call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683).
Voters with disabilities in DeKalb County can ask for an accessible voting machine, curbside voting where offered, and help from a person of their choice. If you run into barriers, contact Equip for Equality, Illinois's Protection and Advocacy agency, at (800) 537-2632. VoteRiders (844-338-8743) offers free help with voter ID.
Need a ride? Many local transit agencies and ride services offer free or discounted rides to the polls on Election Day, so check what is available before the next election. See our Illinois voter page for statewide options. Details can change, so confirm with the official election office.
Military and overseas voters can get help from the Federal Voting Assistance Program at 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or fvap.gov.
Sign up to be an election worker
Election workers (often called poll workers) keep voting running smoothly in DeKalb County. Most are paid for their time, get free training, and help their neighbors cast their ballots. You can work a full day, a shorter shift, or help before Election Day. County and municipal election offices recruit and train their own workers, and the EAC's Help America Vote page links to yours. Find out how to sign up:
https://www.eac.gov/help-america-vote
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