Madison County, Illinois, Secession and New State Advisory Question (November 2024)

Madison County Secession and New State Advisory Question
Election date November 5, 2024
Topic Incorporation, merging, and boundaries of local jurisdictions
Status Approved
Type Referral

Madison County Secession and New State Advisory Question was on the ballot as a referral in Madison County on November 5, 2024. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported advising the Madison County Board to discuss with boards of other Illinois counties, excluding Cook County, the possibility of forming a new state separate from Cook County.

A "no" vote opposed advising the Madison County Board to discuss with boards of other Illinois counties, excluding Cook County, the possibility of forming a new state separate from Cook County.

Election results

Madison County Secession and New State Advisory Question
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		71,913	56.47%
No		55,436	43.53%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Secession and New State Advisory Question was as follows:

“

Shall the board of Madison County correspond with the boards of other counties of Illinois, outside of Cook County, about the possibility of separating from Cook County to form a new state and to seek admission to the Union as such, subject to the approval of the people?

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Laws governing local ballot measures in Illinois

The Madison County Board voted 6-1 to refer the question to the ballot for November 5.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Illinois

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Illinois.

How to vote in Illinois

Poll times

In Illinois, all polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Central Time. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Illinois, a person must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of an Illinois precinct for at least 30 days prior to election day, and at least 18 years old by election day. A 17-year-old may vote in a primary if he or she will be 18 years old at the subsequent general election. Preregistration is available starting at age 16.

Regular registration closes during the period beginning 27 days prior to an election and ending two days after the election. Online registration closes 16 days prior to an election. Grace period registration is available in person through election day at certain locations.

Prospective voters can register online, by mail, or at any of the following locations:

“

County Clerk's Office Board of Election Commissioner's Office City and Village Offices Township Offices Precinct Committeeman Schools Public Libraries Military Recruitment Offices

”

Two forms of identification are required to register in person, one of which must display the voter's current address.

Automatic registration

Illinois automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Department of Motor Vehicles and other designated automatic voter registration agencies.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Illinois has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

Illinois allows same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

Illinois law requires 30 days of residency in the state before a person may vote.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Illinois does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual applying to register to vote must attest that they are a U.S. citizen under penalty of perjury.

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Registration Lookup page, run by the Illinois Board of Elections, allows residents to check their voter registration status online.

Voter ID requirements

Illinois does not require voters to present identification while voting, in most cases. Pursuant to the Help America Vote Act, first-time voters who registered by mail and did not submit their driver’s license number, state ID number, last four digits of their social security number, or other form of ID are required to present identification showing their name and address before voting.

The following list of accepted ID was current as of October 2025. Click here for the Illinois State Board of Elections voting information page to ensure you have the most current information.

“

A current and valid photo identification Utility bill Bank statement Government check Paycheck Lease or contract for residence Student ID & mail addressed to voter’s residence Government document

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See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2024
• Incorporation, merging, and boundaries of local jurisdictions on the ballot

Illinois

• Illinois 2024 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Illinois
• Madison County, Illinois

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas