Election Day is almost here, but you don’t have to wait until November 3 to cast your ballot. Early voting is underway in all 50 Chicago wards, and city voters can choose the location that works best for them—not just the one closest to home.
Ward sites are open today, Monday, October 26, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early voting continues through Monday, November 2, with extended weekday hours at Chicago’s two downtown locations.
Where and when can you vote early?
Eligible Chicago voters can use any of the city’s ward early voting sites, regardless of their registered address within Chicago. Ward locations follow this schedule through November 2:
- Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
The two downtown locations are the Downtown Voting Supersite at 137 S. State St. and the Chicago Board of Elections office at 69 W. Washington St., sixth floor. Both offer weekday voting from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. from October 26 through November 2. The extended evening hours do not apply on weekends.
Additional early voting locations are scheduled at Chicago State University, Northeastern Illinois University, and the University of Chicago October 28–30. Check the Board of Elections’ location directory for building details and hours before heading over.
You can still register when you vote
Missed the online registration deadline? You still have time. Although online registration closed October 18, eligible voters can register or update their registration in person at an early voting site and vote during the same visit.
If you need to register or update your registration, bring two forms of identification or qualifying documents, with at least one showing your current address. Examples include a driver’s license, passport, student ID, utility bill, pay stub, or lease. The two-document requirement applies to registration—not automatically to every voter already registered.
Voting by mail? Keep these deadlines in mind
The deadline to apply for a mail ballot is 5 p.m. Thursday, October 29.
If you’re returning your ballot by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Tuesday, November 3, and received by the election authority by Tuesday, November 17.
You can also return it using an authorized ballot-return option, following the Board of Elections’ instructions and deadlines.
Where can you vote on Election Day?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Chicago voters can cast their ballots at:
- Their assigned precinct polling place.
- Any of the city’s 50 ward vote centers.
- The Downtown Voting Supersite at 137 S. State St.
The Board of Elections office at 69 W. Washington St. will not offer voting on Election Day.
