A lot of important dates and deadlines for voters lead up to Election Day on Nov. 3. Here’s what you need to know.
Illinois voters have the chance to cast a ballot in races for Illinois governor, U.S. Senate, state comptroller, Illinois General Assembly, the Chicago school board, municipal government and more.
Your vote matters — you can cast your ballot by mail, during early voting or on Election Day.
Here are four reasons to claim your vote this election:
- Election security: Claiming your vote prevents anyone else from voting in your name. Once registered, you can request that your ballot be mailed directly to your designated address. All ballots received by the county clerk are reviewed by a bipartisan panel that verifies your signature and information against what is on file.
- Convenience: Requesting a vote-by-mail ballot does not take away your right to vote in person. If you change your mind, you may surrender your ballot and vote in person during early voting or on Election Day.
- Certainty: Permanent vote-by-mail status ensures you can cast your vote even if you become sick or are unable to vote in person because of unforeseen circumstances. You will automatically receive a ballot before every election, so you do not miss the opportunity to vote.
- Vote smart: Voting by mail allows you to research candidates, judges and ballot questions from home before casting your ballot.
Here is what you need to know before casting your vote in the Nov. 3 election:
- What dates and deadlines matter
- How to find your polling place
- How to vote by mail
What dates and deadlines matter:
Sept. 24 — Early voting begins statewide. Vote-by-mail ballots start being sent out.
Oct. 6 — Regular voter registration ends.
Oct. 7 — Grace period registration opens.
Oct. 18 — Online voter registration ends.
Oct. 19 — First day of expanded early voting across Cook County.
Oct. 29 — Deadline for application to vote by mail to be received by election authority by mail.
Nov. 3 — Election Day. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by this day.
- At 7 p.m., counting begins of absentee and vote-by -mail ballots.
Nov. 17 — Last day for election authorities to accept mailed ballots, which must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3.
How to find your polling place:
Voters can make sure their voice is heard at their polling place. Early voting is a good way to cast your vote in person yet avoid crowds on Nov. 3.
Who is eligible for early vote, same-day vote and vote-by-mail in Illinois?
You must:
- Be a citizen of the United States.
- Be a resident of Illinois and of your precinct for at least 30 days before the election.
- Be at least 18 on or before the election, Nov. 3.
- Not be serving a prison sentence.
- Not be voting anywhere else.
- Be registered to vote in Illinois.
Not sure if you’re registered? Click here to find out more.
When and where can I vote in person?
The early-voting period begins Sept. 24. Through Nov. 2, early-voting polling places vary by county.
Click here to find your county’s early voting locations and hours.
How do I find my precinct?
Every address is within a specific precinct. Before Election Day, temporary polling places may or may not be open for specific precincts. On Election Day, each precinct has one or more polling places where voters can vote in person.
Not sure how to find your precinct? Click here to enter your address and find a polling place near you.
What do I need to vote early?
If you are registered to vote in your precinct, all you have to do is show up.
Not registered? Click here. The deadline to register online is Oct. 18.
A form of identification is not required when voting early, but it is recommended you bring an ID in case there is any confusion about your registration, address or signature.
How to vote by mail:
Voting by mail allows Illinoisans to cast their ballots in the upcoming election without making a trip to the polls.
The window is open for people to file an application for a vote-by-mail ballot, which must be postmarked before Election Day. Ballots will be mailed out beginning the first day of early voting, Sept. 24.
Who can vote by mail?
Any Illinois resident who is registered to vote may vote by mail. A person who is not yet registered to vote must register before Oct. 18 to be eligible to cast their ballot by mail.
Not sure if you’re registered? Check here.
Applying to vote by mail
You must submit an application to vote by mail with your local election authority. This may be done in person, usually at your county clerk’s office, or online. To find your election authority, click here.
On the application, you must provide your name, home address, where you’d like the application mailed and signature. Important: Your application must be signed to be valid.
The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is Oct. 29. That means your election authority must receive your request by that date.
Applying for a permanent vote-by-mail ballot
Voters registered in Illinois also can sign up for permanent vote-by-mail status and have a ballot sent to their home address before all elections or only non-primary elections.
Illinoisans can sign up for permanent vote-by-mail status through your county, complete the application and return it to their county clerk in the election jurisdiction where they are registered.
Submitting your vote-by-mail ballot
Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, and received within 14 days of that date to be counted in the election.
Don’t forget to sign your ballot: If it’s not signed, the ballot will not be counted.
Military personnel and their spouses who are stationed overseas may also vote by mail using the Federal Post Card Application.
What if I change my mind?
If you request a ballot by mail but decide instead to vote in person, you may do so. To do this, you must bring your mail ballot to the election site and turn it in to the election judge.
Supreme Court blocks Trump’s executive order on mail ballots
The U.S. Supreme Court has denied the Trump administration’s appeal of the temporary restraining order blocking the president’s efforts to regulate mail ballots while the case proceeds on the merits.
The U.S. Postal Service has said it will not implement Trump’s Vote-by-mail rule for the 2026 election:
Your vote matters. Claim your vote for the Nov. 3 election.
