Politics
Early Voting for November General Election Kicks Off in Downtown Chicago
Early voting for the November general election kicked off Thursday in downtown Chicago, with more early voting locations across the city expected to open later this month.
Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election began 9 a.m. Thursday at two downtown locations: the Chicago Board of Elections Downtown Voting Supersite, 137 S. State St., and the Chicago Board of Elections office, located at 69 W. Washington St. on the 6th floor.
Races on the ballot include Illinois governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Illinois attorney general, Illinois comptroller, Illinois treasurer and the Cook County Board president. Chicago voters will vote for members of the Chicago Board of Education and on nonbinding referendum questions regarding if the city should replace its gunshot detection system and if the city should create a permanent home for festivals and other large events.
“We want voters to make a plan to vote,” Chicago Board of Election Commissioners chairwoman Marisel Hernandez said during a Thursday news conference. “Democracy thrives when we all work together and we come out and vote.”
Early voting in Chicago will expand to all 50 wards starting Oct. 19. No matter where you live in the city, Chicago voters can cast their ballot early at any early voting site.
On Election Day, voters can vote at any of the 50 ward early voting sites, the downtown supersite or at their assigned precinct polling place.
Voters can check their voter registration and view their sample ballot on the Chicago Board of Elections website.
Voters can register to vote or update their registration online at the Illinois State Board of Elections website until Oct. 18. After that, same-day registration is available in person at any early voting site or, on Election Day, at your assigned precinct polling place.
Applications to vote by mail are being accepted on the Chicago Board of Elections website until 5 p.m. Oct. 29. Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be counted. Ballots have started to be shipped out to voters, according to Hernandez.
“We also know that election safety and security are on everyone’s mind,” Hernandez said. “We are prepared and committed to your protection no matter how you choose to vote.”
For voters in suburban Cook County, early voting will begin Wednesday at six vote centers. Expanded early voting begins Oct. 19. More information on voting in suburban Cook County can be found here.
Below are the hours of operation for the early voting locations in downtown Chicago:
Downtown Voting Supersite
137 S. State St.
Oct. 1-25:
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sundays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Oct. 26-Nov. 2:
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Election Day, Nov. 3: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Chicago Board of Elections Office
69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor
Oct. 1-25:
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sundays: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Oct. 26-Nov. 2:
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Election Day, Nov. 3: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
Note: This article has been updated with additional comment from the Chicago Board of Elections.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
