SPRINGFIELD - Tuesday is the final day to register to vote. Early voting starts Oct. 14, when people can cast a ballot to avoid long lines on Nov. 4. If you don't register by Tuesday, though, you can go to a county clerk's office to register and vote during a special grace period. Voters who want to cast an absentee ballot can do that now.

It's a lot of different dates and rules to remember, said Macon County Clerk Stephen Bean. "I wish they would somehow conform the laws," Bean said.

Clerks across the state say that in the final days before the registration deadline, they've seen more people coming in to get signed up.

McLean County Clerk Peggy Ann Milton said that's especially true in her county, where registration drives at Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities result in thousands more registration applications flooding her office.

She said that's typical for an election in a presidential year. "Every year, it's no different," she said.

Coles County Clerk Sue Rennels, in Charleston, sees the same trend from Eastern Illinois University students.

The State Board of Elections estimates a total of 7.4 million people are registered to vote for the Nov. 4 election so far.

The potential for long lines on Election Day is why Rennels, among others, tries to suggest people vote early and avoid the rush. "The only downside is, you can't change your mind," she said.

In Rock Island County, Clerk Richard Leibovitz said that even after several years of Illinois having an early voting program, he still has to tell people about it.

Voting early is different than voting absentee. To get an absentee ballot, voters have to have a reason, such as a planned trip out of town.

Still, Bean said, he's had to turn some people away from trying to vote early who say they're simply tired of campaign season and want to get voting over with.

That's not a sufficient reason to get an absentee ballot, but Bean said people are starting to get the picture about early voting.

"I think finally the public is starting to understand it," he said.

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Voting dates

Election Day is nearing, here are the important dates to know.

- Tuesday, Oct. 7 - final day of registration

- Oct. 14 - early voting begins

- Nov. 4- Election Day