Media, Illinois Public Records

Residents can register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections at www.elections.il.gov, which offers a convenient Online Voter Registration system. Applicants must have a valid Illinois driver's license or state ID card issued by the Illinois Secretary of State. The voter registration deadline in Illinois is 16 days before any election. Registration can also be completed in person at the Henderson County Clerk's Office, by mail using a voter registration form, or during grace period and election day registration, available during early voting and on election day at designated locations with two forms of identification, at least one showing current address. Illinois offers same-day voter registration during the early voting period and on election day, making the process accessible even for those who miss the standard deadline. As an unincorporated community, Media does not hold municipal elections for mayor or city council, since it has no municipal government. Residents participate in Henderson County elections, including races for county board members, county clerk, sheriff, treasurer, circuit clerk, coroner, and other county offices. The Henderson County Board consists of six members elected from districts, with terms and election cycles staggered. County offices are generally elected in even-numbered years during the November general election. Voters can locate their assigned polling place by using the Illinois State Board of Elections' polling place lookup tool available at www.elections.il.gov or by contacting the Henderson County Clerk at (309) 867-2911. Polling places are assigned based on voter registration address and precinct boundaries. The county typically operates a small number of consolidated polling places due to its rural character and low population density. Public election records in Illinois include voter registration lists, available with restrictions under Illinois Election Code for political and election purposes only, campaign finance disclosures accessible through the Illinois State Board of Elections for state and legislative candidates and through the Henderson County Clerk for local candidates, candidate filings and nominating petitions, and precinct-level election results. Illinois will hold elections for Governor and other statewide constitutional officers including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer, all elected to four-year terms. Local voters will elect their state representative and state senator for their legislative districts. County offices may be on the ballot depending on term expirations, and voters will decide on judicial retention for any Circuit Court judges whose terms expire.S. Senate race is in 2028. Voters should confirm the specific races and any local referenda by contacting the Henderson County Clerk as the 2026 election approaches. Illinois offers vote-by-mail, also called absentee voting, for any registered voter with no excuse required. Residents can request a vote-by-mail ballot by submitting an application to the Henderson County Clerk's Office. Applications are available on the Illinois State Board of Elections website, through the Henderson County Clerk, or voters can submit a written request including name, address, election for which the ballot is requested, and address where the ballot should be mailed. Vote-by-mail applications must be received by the Henderson County Clerk no later than five days before the election for mail delivery of the ballot. Voted ballots must be postmarked by election day and received by the Henderson County Clerk within 14 days after the election to be counted. Early voting in person is also available at locations designated by the Henderson County Clerk, typically beginning 40 days before the election.