Voter Toolbox
When to Vote
Key dates and times for early, mail-in and Election Day voting.
Where to Vote
Find early voting sites and locate your polling place for Election Day.
How to Vote
The info you need to register to vote online, by mail or in person.
Who Can Vote
Check to make sure you’re eligible and registered to vote.
About Your Ballot
Find your congressional district and get explanations on how your vote is counted.
When to Vote
Early Voting
Chicago
No matter where you live in the city, all Chicago voters can vote at any early voting site.
On Feb. 12 at 9 a.m., early voting starts at the Chicago Board of Elections Loop Supersite at 137 S. State St. You can also vote at the Chicago Board of Elections Office on the 6th floor of 69 W. Washington St.
- Feb. 12-March 8:
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sundays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- March 9-16:
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
On March 2 at 9 a.m., early voting begins in all of Chicago’s 50 wards. Find a ward early voting site here.
- March 2-16:
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sundays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
On Election Day, March 17, the Loop Supersite (137 S. State. St.) and all 50 ward early voting sites will also be open from 6 a.m.-7p.m.
Suburban Cook County
On Feb. 18, early voting starts in the Pedway at the Cook County Administration Building, 69 W. Washington St., in Chicago.
- Feb. 18-20: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Feb. 23-27: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- March 2-6: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- March 7: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- March 8: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- March 9-13: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- March 14: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- March 15: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- March 16: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Election Day, March 17: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
To find more suburban Cook County locations and times to vote early, go to the Cook County website.
Cook County website
All Other Illinois Counties
For early voting dates, times and locations in all other Illinois counties, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
Illinois State Board of Elections
Important Election Day Information
Election Day
Tuesday, March 17
Voting Hours
6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
If you are in line by 7 p.m., you can vote after 7 p.m.
Do You Need an ID to Vote?
No.
Government-issued photo ID is not required for voting, but it is helpful if there is a question about the voter's registration, address or signature, or if there are two voters at the same address with the same names or similar names.
Two forms of ID are needed:
- If you are registering in person at your home precinct on Election Day.
- If you are filing an address change in person at your home precinct on Election Day.
- If you are filing a name change in person at your home precinct on Election Day.
- Acceptable forms of ID can be found here.
For the best election news coverage daily, sign up for the WTTW News Daily Briefing.
Where to Vote
In Chicago
- Vote on Election Day at your local polling place.
- Vote early or on Election Day at the Chicago Board of Elections Loop Supersite, 137 S. State St.
- Vote early or on Election Day at one of the 50 ward early voting sites, which will also be open. No matter where you live in the city, all Chicago voters can vote at any early voting site.
- Vote early at the Chicago Board of Elections office, 69 W. Washington St., 6th floor.
Suburban Cook County
- Vote at your local polling place.
All Other Illinois Counties
- Vote at your local polling place.
Illinois State Board of Elections
How to Vote
Registering to Vote
How do I register to vote before Election Day?
Online
By Mail
In Person
Register to vote when applying for — or reregistering for — your driver’s license at the Illinois Secretary of State's Office also known as “Motor Voter.”
How do I register to vote on Election Day?
- On Election Day, you can register to vote or update your registration.
- You need to present two forms of identification to register to vote.
- After registering, you can cast a ballot if you have not voted already.
Voting Early
Chicago
No matter where you live in the city, all Chicago voters can vote at any early voting site.
Loop Supersites (beginning Feb. 12)
On Feb. 12 at 9 a.m., early voting starts at the Chicago Board of Elections Loop Supersite at 137 S. State St. You can also vote at the Chicago Board of Elections Office on the 6th floor of 69 W. Washington St.
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sundays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ward Precincts (beginning March 2)
On March 2 at 9 a.m., early voting begins in all of Chicago’s 50 wards.
Chicago Early Voting Sites
- Weekdays: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Sundays: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
On Election Day, March 17, the Loop Supersite (137 S. State. St.) and all 50 ward early voting sites will also be open from 6 a.m.-7p.m.
Suburban Cook County
On Feb. 18, early voting starts in the Pedway at the Cook County Administration Building, 69 W. Washington St., in Chicago.
- Feb. 18-20: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Feb. 23-27: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- March 2-6: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- March 7: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- March 8: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- March 9-13: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- March 14: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
- March 15: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- March 16: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Election Day, March 17: 6 a.m.-7 p.m.
To find more suburban Cook County locations and times to vote early, go to the Cook County website here.
Suburban Early Voting Sites
All Other Illinois Counties
For early voting dates, times and locations in all other Illinois counties, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
Illinois State Board of Elections
Voting by Mail
Chicago
Applications to Vote By Mail for the March 17 primary election are being accepted until March 12 at 5pm.
Apply onlineChicagoans can also apply online to Vote By Mail permanently
If you change your mind and want to vote in person instead of voting by mail:
- Voters can take their vote-by-mail ballot to any early voting site or their precinct polling place or nearest vote center on Election Day, surrender the ballot and then vote on a new ballot.
- If you have not yet received your ballot in the mail, you will be asked to sign an affidavit form and then you will be allowed to vote.
Suburban Cook County
Suburban Cook County residents can register to vote by mail or permanently vote by mail or by contacting the Cook County Clerk’s Office Mail Voting unit at 312-603-0946 or [email protected].
After you fill out the Vote By Mail ballot, you can find a suburban Cook County location and time to return it.
All Other Illinois Counties
All other Illinois residents can find information on voting by mail on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
Instructional Videos
The Chicago Board of Elections has videos to help voters.
Who Can Vote
Am I registered to vote?
Am I eligible to vote?
Yes,
if you are a U.S. citizen.
Yes,
if you are 18 years old by Election Day. You can vote in a Primary at 17 if you are 18 by the time of the General Election.
Yes,
if you are a student either attending college in another state or if you reside in another state but attend college in Illinois.
No,
if you are in prison or jail for a conviction of any kind.
Yes,
if you live in the precinct where you vote for at least 30 days prior to the election.
Yes,
if you are in pretrial detention (not convicted, awaiting trial).
Yes,
if you have completed a felony prison sentence, even if you are still on parole or probation.
About Your Ballot
Can I track my ballot in Illinois?
No.
Illinois does not have online ballot tracking.
If you cast a provisional ballot, that can be tracked at the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Provisional ballots are cast when there is a question regarding a voter’s registration status or eligibility to vote in the election.