The U.S. general election is coming up on Nov. 3, and voters in Illinois will cast ballots for president, U.S. House and Senate, along with state and local offices. Voters will also have the opportunity to weigh in on a proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution that would allow for a graduated income tax.
Election officials are anticipating a surge in vote-by-mail requests amid the coronavirus pandemic in addition to long lines on Election Day. With so much on the ballot, voters are encouraged to plan ahead to ensure their ballot is counted.
Here’s everything you need to know about voting in Illinois — from registering to requesting an absentee ballot to voting early.
Cook County
- Last day to register to vote: Oct. 6 in-person or by mail, and Oct. 18 online. Voters may register in-person on Election Day, but only at their home precinct. Click here to check if you are registered to vote in Cook County.
- Last day to request a mail-in ballot: Oct. 29. Ballots will start to be mailed to voters on Sept. 24.
- First day to vote in-person: Oct. 1 for residents of Chicago, Oct. 19 for suburban residents. Early voting ends on Nov. 2.
- Ballots postmarked or dropped off by: Nov. 3. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked or dropped off at a designated location by Election Day in order to be counted.
To register to vote, click here. To request a mail-in (absentee) ballot, click here.
DuPage County
- Last day to register to vote: Oct. 6 in-person or by mail, and Oct. 18 online. Grace-period registration and voting continues until the day before the election. Click here to see if you are registered to vote in DuPage County.
- Last day to request a mail-in ballot: Oct. 29. Ballots will start to be mailed to voters on Sept. 24.
- First day to vote in-person: Sept. 24. Click here to see early voting locations in DuPage County.
- Ballots postmarked or dropped off by: Nov. 3. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked or dropped off at a designated location by Election Day in order to be counted.
To register to vote, click here. To request a mail-in (absentee) ballot, click here.
Kane County
- Last day to register to vote: Oct. 6 in-person or by mail, and Oct. 18 online. Grace-period registration and voting continues until the day before the election, but you most vote at the time of registration. Click here to see if you are registered to vote in Kane County.
- Last day to request a mail-in ballot: Oct. 29. Ballots will be mailed to voters starting Sept. 24.
- First day to vote in-person: Sept. 24. Click here for early voting locations in Kane County.
- Ballots postmarked or dropped off by: Nov. 3. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked or dropped off at a designated location by Election Day in order to be counted.
To register to vote, click here. To request a mail-in (absentee) ballot, click here.
Lake County
- Last day to register to vote: Oct. 6 in-person or by mail, and Oct. 18 online. Grace-period registration and voting continues until the day before the election, but you most vote at the time of registration. Click here to see if you are registered to vote in Lake County.
- Last day to request a mail-in ballot: Oct. 29. Ballots will be mailed to voters starting Sept. 24.
- First day to vote in-person: Sept. 24. Click here for a list of early voting locations in Lake County.
- Ballots postmarked or dropped off by: Nov. 3. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked or dropped off at a designated location by Election Day in order to be counted.
To register to vote, click here. To request a mail-in (absentee) ballot, click here.
McHenry County
- Last day to register to vote: Oct. 6 in-person or by mail, and Oct. 18 online. Click here to see if you are registered to vote in McHenry County.
- Last day to request a mail-in ballot: Oct. 29. Ballots will be mailed to voters starting Sept. 24.
- First day to vote in-person: Sept. 24. Click here for a list of early voting sites in McHenry County.
- Ballots postmarked or dropped off by: Nov. 3. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked or dropped off at a designated location by Election Day in order to be counted.
To register to vote, click here. To request a mail-in (absentee) ballot, click here.
Will County
- Last day to register to vote: Oct. 6 in-person or by mail, and Oct. 18 online. Grace-period registration and voting continues until the day before the election, but you most vote at the time of registration. Election Day registration is accepted. Click here to see if you are registered to vote in Will County.
- Last day to request a mail-in ballot: Oct. 29. Ballots will be mailed to voters starting Sept. 24.
- First day to vote in-person: Sept. 24. Click here for a list of early voting locations in Will County.
- Ballots postmarked or dropped off by: Nov. 3. All mail-in ballots must be postmarked or dropped off at a designated location by Election Day in order to be counted.
To register to vote, click here. To request a mail-in (absentee) ballot, click here.