Illinois voters will soon decide federal, state and local races during the Nov. 3 general election. Early voting begins Sept. 24 in DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County and Will County. Chicago voters can cast a ballot in person at two locations starting Oct. 1. Suburban Cook County voters can do the same beginning Oct. 7.
Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking a rare third term. The last governor in Illinois to have served at least three terms was Republican Gov. Jim Thompson, who completed four between 1977 and 1991. Pritzker, who faces Republican challenger Darren Bailey, would be the first Democrat in Illinois history to win three terms as governor.
Since the primary election in March, Republican President Donald Trump has targeted mail-in ballots, which are more popular with Democrats than the GOP. Trump signed an executive order directing U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Social Security Administration’s commissioner to develop state citizenship lists. The order also required the U.S. Postal Service to send mail ballots only to voters who were on such a list. Illinois joined two dozen other states in August that asked a federal court to intercede.
In mid-September, the Supreme Court rejected Trump’s executive order, which allowed the Postal Service to deliver mail-in ballots as normal and not force the USPS to develop a controversial computer system.
When are the midterm elections?
Nov. 3. Polls will be open in Illinois on that day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
What races will be decided?
To see who is already representing you, click here and enter your home address.
- U.S. Senate
- U.S. House
- Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- Comptroller
- Treasurer
- Illinois House
- Illinois Senate
- School Board
- Judicial
- County offices
Key dates to remember
Aug. 5: First day to request a vote-by-mail ballot.
Sept. 24: First day of early voting in DuPage County, Kane County, Lake County, McHenry County and Will County.
Oct. 1: First day of early voting in Chicago at two locations. Chicago Board of Elections (sixth floor, board offices), 69 W. Washington St., and the new Loop Super Site, 137 S. State St. (Note: The Chicago Board of Elections site will not be open to voters on Election Day.)
Oct. 6: Close of regular voter registration in Illinois.
Oct. 7: First day of early voting in suburban Cook County, and first day of grace period for same-day registration and voting.
Oct. 18: Last day of online voter registration in Illinois.
Oct. 19: Early voting begins in all 50 wards in Chicago.
Oct. 29: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot.
Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Am I eligible to vote?
According to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, city voters must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be 18 years old on or before the General Election on Nov. 3.
- Live in the same precinct at least 30 days before the election.
- Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
- Not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction.
According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Illinois voters must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be 18 years old or will be 18 by the date of the upcoming general or consolidated election.
- Live in the same precinct at least 30 days before the election.
Am I already registered to vote?
To check your voting status, go to the state’s registration lookup here.
How do I register to vote?
Registering to vote can be done online, in person or by mail.
If you wish to register by mail, first download and complete the registration form from the Illinois State Board of Elections website here. Then mail that form, as well as a copy of a valid photo ID or a government document that shows your name and address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, to your local election authority. You may also mail it to the Illinois State Board of Elections at 2329 S. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, IL 62704.
If you are a Chicago resident who wants to register by mail, download the Board of Elections form and return it — or mail it in — to 69 W. Washington St., Sixth Floor, Chicago, IL 60602.
The deadline for mail registration is Oct. 6.
To register online, fill out the form on the State Board of Elections website here. Be prepared to show proper identification. The deadline is Oct. 18.
To register in person for the Nov. 3 midterm election or during early voting, you must bring two forms of identification, one of which must list your current address. Here is a list of acceptable forms of ID for Chicago voters and suburban voters.
If you are registered to vote and your address is correct, you do not need to bring your ID — though it’s not a bad idea to bring it in case your signature doesn’t match the one on file.
What if I moved?
You can register online using your new address — even if your Illinois driver’s license or state-issued ID still shows your old address.
If you moved to your current address at least 30 days before Election Day, then vote at the precinct polling place for your new/current address. You may update your registration and vote at your new precinct polling place with two forms of ID, at least one showing your current address.
If you moved within Chicago less than 30 days before Election Day, then vote at the precinct polling place for your old address. Not sure where your polling place is? Search for it here using your ZIP code and address.
Where can I vote in person on Election Day?
To find your local polling location, type your address and ZIP code here.
What methods can I use to vote at my polling place?
In Chicago, voters have two ways to cast a ballot: Mark a paper ballot or use a touch-screen voting machine. Both systems provide a paper trail for all ballots cast.
For voters outside the city, use the Illinois State Board of Elections tool to find out what voting systems are used in your county.
You can bring written or printed materials into the voting booth, but you may be required to remove or cover up campaign clothing, buttons or stickers, according to the ACLU of Illinois.
Never take a photo of your completed ballot and post it on social media — it’s a felony. Take a photo of your “I voted” sticker outside the polling place instead.
If your voter registration record cannot be found, then you may be issued a provisional ballot.
How can I vote by mail?
Chicagoans who want to vote by mail can apply online or by using the mail-in form.
Any registered voter in Illinois can request a vote-by-mail ballot. Applications for each Illinois county are available here.
What if I’ve already received a mail-in ballot, but want to participate in early voting instead?
If you decide to vote early in person but have already received a mail-in ballot, bring that ballot with you when you go to vote in person to have the mailed ballot canceled.
Where do I return my mail-in ballot?
Voters can return their ballots by mail, deliver them in person to their local election authority or drop them in a secure drop box. Check the State Board of Elections website for a list of drop box locations.
One important note: Completed mail-in ballots cannot be accepted at polling places or early voting locations (unless drop boxes are available at those sites). Voters who attempt to do this will be offered the option to surrender their ballot and vote in person instead.
Chicago voters can mail their ballot or deposit it at any of the Chicago Board of Elections’ secured drop boxes. One important note: Each ballot must include the signed and sealed return envelope bearing the voter’s name.
Where can I vote in person in Chicago prior to Election Day?
If you can’t vote in person on Election Day, you can vote early.
In Chicago, early voting begins Oct. 1 at two locations: Chicago Board of Elections (sixth floor, board offices), 69 W. Washington St., and the new Loop Super Site, 137 S. State St.
Early voting expands to polling places in each ward Oct. 19. Here’s a list of where you can vote early in each ward. Search here to find out what ward you live in.
Chicago residents can vote at any early voting site, regardless of their ward. Not sure which location is most convenient? Find the closest one using this tool. The Chicago Board of Elections also takes calls from voters seeking information at its Early Voting Election Central at 312-269-7900.
Early voters in Chicago may choose to vote in one of 12 languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, Tagalog, Gujarati, Urdu, Arabic, Ukrainian and Russian.
Can I see a sample ballot?
Yes. Submit your name and address in the Chicago Board of Elections voter information lookup tool to view a sample ballot, verify your voter registration and locate your polling place.
Outside the city, contact your local election authority to see a sample ballot.
Where can I vote if I live outside Chicago?
If you live outside Chicago, select a jurisdiction to find out where you can vote prior to Election Day.
Consult your local jurisdiction below for mail-in ballot and early voting information.
Locations and hours of operation are subject to change, so check with your local jurisdiction for the latest information.
Suburban Cook County
DuPage County
Kane County
Lake County
McHenry County
Will County
Votes cast early aren’t counted until polls close on Nov. 3.
Sources: Chicago Board of Elections; the counties; Tribune reporting
Top Feeds,Politics
via Politics https://ift.tt/ovzWSN8
September 24, 2026 at 05:32AM
