Rock Falls, Illinois Public Records

Those in Rock Falls should register at least 16 days before an election, though Illinois does offer grace period registration through Election Day at designated locations. Registration requires an Illinois driver's license or state ID number, or the last four digits of a Social Security number. Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day at permanent polling places. Municipal elections for mayor and city council happen during consolidated election years - the odd-numbered ones - with the next city elections set for April 2025. The mayor serves four years, as do aldermen representing different wards, though council elections are staggered. Local candidate information, sample ballots, and details about municipal referenda come from the City Clerk's office at Rock Falls City Hall and the Whiteside County Clerk. Residents can find their assigned polling place using the Illinois State Board of Elections lookup tool at elections.il.gov or by contacting the Whiteside County Clerk. Assignments depend on home address and precinct boundaries. Illinois permits no-excuse absentee voting - any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot from the Whiteside County Clerk by completing an application available online or at the office. Vote-by-mail applications must arrive by the Thursday before Election Day (or in person the day before). The state also provides extensive early voting at designated sites including the Whiteside County Clerk's office. Public election records in Illinois cover voter registration lists (available to candidates and political parties under specific restrictions), campaign finance disclosures filed with the Illinois State Board of Elections, candidate petition filings and candidacy statements, precinct-level results, and the official vote canvass. Following certification, all election results are published by the Whiteside County Clerk and made available to the public.