Under what circumstance must Illinois voters provide identification?

In Illinois, the requirement for voters to provide identification applies specifically to first-time voters who registered by mail and did not provide identification at that time. This is a measure designed to prevent voter fraud and ensure the integrity of the election process.

When a person registers to vote by mail and does not submit a driver's license number, state identification number, or the last four digits of their Social Security number, they are categorized as a first-time voter. Therefore, when they arrive at the polls to vote for the first time, they must present a form of identification to verify their identity. Acceptable forms of ID can include a driver's license, state ID, or a utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government documents that include the voter's name and address.

Other scenarios mentioned in the options, such as voting absentee, voting in every election, or only during primary elections, do not require a voter to present identification in Illinois. Absentee voting does require voters to provide proof of identity when applying for a ballot, but once the ballot is submitted, no ID is needed during the actual voting process. Thus, the particular identification requirement is exclusive to first-time voters who registered by mail without providing the necessary identification details.