Prior to any election the board of election commissioners may, in the manner provided by this Section, designate convenient places in the city, village or incorporated town for the registration of voters. A list of such places shall be submitted to and be subject to the approval of the circuit court, and notice of the time and place for such registration shall be given by publication in a newspaper in such city, village or incorporated town 20 days before such registration. In cities, villages and incorporated towns of 200,000 or more, at least one such place shall be designated for each 30,000 inhabitants, and at least one shall be designated for each ward of such city, village or incorporated town and for each city, village or incorporated town under the jurisdiction of a board of election commissioners; but the requirement of one place of registration for each 30,000 inhabitants shall not apply to special elections for a city, village or incorporated town, or any part thereof, or to any judicial election at which no officers other than judicial officers are to be elected, or to any election, general, special or municipal (including a primary election) that shall be held on or before July 1, in the year immediately following a congressional election.
     The places so designated for registration shall be open from 8 o’clock a. m., to 9 o’clock p. m., on such day or days (not exceeding 2) as may be specified by the board of election commissioners, but shall not be open on any day more than 38 days preceding the election or at any time subsequent to Tuesday, 4 weeks before the election; provided that in municipalities of more than 200,000 and having a board of election commissioners and in cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of such board, such place may be opened on such day or days as may be specified by the board of election commissioners but shall not be open on any day more than 38 days preceding the election, and shall not be open at any time subsequent to Tuesday, 4 weeks before the election.