Politics
Early Voting for November General Election Kicks Off Thursday in Downtown Chicago
Chicago Board of Elections Downtown Voting Supersite, 137 S. State St., on March 2, 2026. (Eunice Alpasan / WTTW News)
Early voting for the November general election kicks 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 is expected to begin 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.
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 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.
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.
Contact Eunice Alpasan: [email protected]
