Clare, Illinois Public Records

Registration deadlines are typically 16 days before an election for online and mail registration, and up to and including Election Day for in-person registration at designated locations, including county clerk offices and polling places (Illinois offers Election Day registration). Voters must provide a valid Illinois driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number. Proof of residency is required for Election Day registration. Because the community is unincorporated, it does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council. Instead, residents participate in elections for DeKalb County offices, Afton Township officials, state legislative seats, and federal offices. The next major election is the general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, which will feature key races including the Illinois Governor's race, as Governor J.B. Pritzker's current term expires in 2026. Also on the ballot will be all 118 seats in the Illinois House of Representatives, approximately half of the Illinois Senate, and several statewide constitutional offices such as Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer. U.S. Senate elections for Illinois are held in presidential election years and midterms; 2026 will not feature a U.S. Senate race (next in 2028), but the entire U.S. House of Representatives will be up for election, including the district covering DeKalb County. DeKalb County voters will also decide on county board seats, the Sheriff, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, State's Attorney, Treasurer, Recorder, and Coroner. Afton Township voters will elect township officials including Supervisor, Clerk, Highway Commissioner, and Trustees. Residents can look up their specific polling place by visiting the Illinois State Board of Elections' website at www.elections.il.gov and using the "Polling Place/Ballot Information" tool, which requires entering a residential address. Polling places are assigned by precinct and can change, so voters should verify their location before each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, DeKalb County reported a voter turnout of approximately 70-75%, reflecting strong engagement in a high-profile national race. Turnout in midterm elections is typically lower, often around 50-60%, but civic engagement in De Kalb County remains relatively high compared to state and national averages. Illinois public election records include voter registration lists, which are available to candidates, political committees, and governmental entities under 10 ILCS 5/1-1 et seq. (the Illinois Election Code). Campaign finance records are managed by the Illinois State Board of Elections and are searchable online at www.elections.il.gov, where the public can view contributions, expenditures, and financial disclosures for candidates and political action committees. Candidate filings, including statements of economic interest and nominating petitions, are public and maintained by the De Kalb County Clerk for local races and the State Board of Elections for state and federal races. Precinct-level election results are posted by the DeKalb County Clerk after certification, typically within a few weeks of the election, and are available on the Clerk's website. Illinois also provides for absentee and vote-by-mail options. Any registered voter may request a mail-in ballot without providing a reason. Applications are available through the De Kalb County Clerk's Office or online through the State Board of Elections website. Ballots must be requested in writing, and completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within 14 days after the election to be counted. Early voting is also available at designated locations in DeKalb County, typically beginning 40 days before an election. Local voters are encouraged to check the De Kalb County Clerk's website regularly for updates on the 2026 election cycle, candidate lists, and deadlines.