How to vote in Chicago: early voting is open, polls 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Who can register, and the deadlines

To register in Illinois, you must be a U.S. citizen, be 18 or older by Election Day, and live in Illinois for at least 30 days. The State Board of Elections voter's guide lists the rules. In Chicago you must also live in your precinct for at least 30 days and not claim the right to vote elsewhere.

The regular registration deadline was Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Online registration stayed open until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, at ova.elections.il.gov.

Those dates have passed, but registration has not closed. Illinois runs grace period registration in person through Election Day. Register at any Chicago early voting site, or on November 3 at your precinct polling place or a vote center. You vote in the same visit.

In-person registration takes two forms of ID, and one must show your current address. The Chicago Board of Elections early voting page lists what counts.

Vote early: open now, in every ward from October 19

Illinois early voting began September 24 at local election authority offices, per the State Board of Elections. In Chicago, downtown early voting opened October 1 at two sites: the Voting Supersite at 137 S. State Street and the Board offices at 69 W. Washington Street, sixth floor.

On October 19, early voting expanded to all 50 wards. Any Chicago voter can use any early voting site in the city, wherever it is. The Board's statement of that rule is on its early voting page.

Hours at ward sites: weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Downtown weekday hours extend to 7 p.m. from October 26 through November 2. The Board posts the full list of sites and hours on its early voting and vote centers page.

Early voting ends Monday, November 2. Ballots are available in 12 languages at Chicago sites.

Vote by mail

Any registered Chicago voter can vote by mail. No reason or excuse is needed. Applications opened August 5, per the State Board of Elections.

The Board must receive your application by Thursday, October 29, 2026. Apply through the Chicago Board of Elections.

To return your ballot, use the signed and sealed Ballot Return Envelope that comes with it. You have three options:

• By mail. Your ballot must be postmarked by November 3 and received by November 17 to count. The envelope is postage-paid.
• By drop box. Use a Board secured drop box at any early voting site, from October 19 through November 3.
• By hand. Deliver it to the Board office at 69 W. Washington Street, sixth floor.

Precinct polling places do not have drop boxes. If you change your mind, take your mail ballot to an early voting site or vote center, surrender it, and vote in person.

What ID to bring

A photo ID is never required to vote in Illinois. If you are registered at your current address and vote at your designated polling place, you need no ID at all.

ID helps if there is a question about your registration, address or signature. The Board's early voting page notes that government-issued photo ID is not required but is helpful in those cases.

Two exceptions. First-time voters who registered by mail without giving an ID number must show ID. And anyone registering in person needs two forms of ID, one with a current address. Accepted forms include a passport, a driver's license or state ID, a lease or mortgage, a utility bill, a bank statement, or mail addressed to you.

Election Day: Tuesday, November 3

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., per the State Board of Elections. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you can vote.

You can vote at the precinct polling place for your address. Or use any of the 51 vote centers open that day: the 50 ward sites plus the downtown Supersite. Registration stays open at all of them through the close of polls.

Find your precinct and your registration record on the Board's Your Voter Information page. You can also start at vote.gov.

If something goes wrong

Call the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners at 312-269-7900. The Board's office is at 69 W. Washington Street, Suites 600 and 800, Chicago, IL 60602. Its site is chicagoelections.gov.

For statewide questions, the Illinois State Board of Elections is at elections.il.gov.

If your name is not on the list, first confirm you are at the right polling place. Election judges can check, and same day registration at a vote center lets an eligible voter register and vote in one visit.

What happens next

Mail ballots keep arriving after Election Day. A ballot postmarked by November 3 counts if the Board receives it by November 17.

What you can do

Check your registration record before you go. Choose the voting site nearest your home or work. If you vote by mail, return the ballot this week by drop box or mail, and keep the October 29 request deadline in view for anyone who still needs one.