Politics
Map: Early Voting Locations in Chicago for the 2020 General Election
Plus: Voting FAQ for Chicago and suburban Cook County residents
To read this story in Spanish, please click here.
Early voting is underway for the Nov. 3 general election, though this year, a record number of Chicagoans who want to avoid in-person voting due to the coronavirus pandemic have requested mail-in ballots.
Voters who prefer to cast a ballot in person can visit the Loop “super site” as of Oct. 1. Starting Oct. 14, 50 ward sites will also be open for early voting.
All of those locations are listed in the map above.
This year, early voting locations in Chicago will also offer secure drop boxes for voters to drop off their signed and sealed mail-in ballots during early voting hours. You can also return a mail-in ballot using standard mail service.
Want to request your own mail-in ballot? Visit the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website to request your ballot or check the status of your previously submitted vote-by-mail application.
For voters in suburban Cook County, early voting starts Oct. 12 at 69 W. Washington St. in the Pedway at the Cook County Clerk’s Office, with suburban early voting sites opening Oct. 19. Find a list of locations here. To learn about mail-in voting for suburban Cook County residents, go here.
Below, some voting FAQ.
Who can vote early?
Registered Chicago voters can vote early at any such site in the city — no excuse is needed. Not sure if you’re registered to vote? Check your registration status here if you live in Chicago and here if you live in suburban Cook County.
Who can vote by mail?
All registered voters can vote by mail — no excuse is needed for this option, either. Gov. J.B. Pritzker called voting by mail perhaps “the safest method to cast a ballot in November.”
What if I’m not registered?
If you’re not registered to vote, you have plenty of time to do so and participate in the Nov. 3 election. You can even register and vote on Election Day at your precinct polling place. For complete details, go here if you live in Chicago. If you live in suburban Cook County, go here for voter registration information.
Where do I vote on Election Day?
Registered voters who want to cast a ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Election Day — can vote at their home precinct or any of the 51 early voting sites in Chicago or at the United Center. Find your home precinct here if you live in Chicago. Residents of suburban Cook County can only vote at their home precinct on Election Day. Find that address here if you live in suburban Cook County. Hours for in-person voting in Chicago on Nov. 3 are 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Read more about voting on Election Day here.
More voter resources: 2020 Voter Guide to the General Election
Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Chicago voters must vote at their home precinct on Election Day. In fact, registered Chicago voters can cast a ballot at any of the 51 early voting sites in Chicago or at the United Center on Election Day.
