Early voting for the Illinois primary begins this week. Here's what you need to know.
As part of an effort to get more people to vote, early voting for the March 19 primary election begins Thursday in Illinois and across the Rockford region.
Any registered voter can vote early and they don't need a reason to do so.
Here is what you need to know.
What offices are up for election?
The 2024 General Primary Election will feature votes on the president and U.S. Congress including representatives of Illinois' 11th, 16th and 17th Congressional Districts. Several seats in the Illinois General Assembly from across the region will be up for re-election. Elections will also be held for county executives including state's attorney, circuit clerk, auditor, coroner and chairman plus several county board members among others.
Will I need to choose a party?
Yes, to vote in the primary you need to choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot.
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Can I vote by mail?
Rockford residents can request a vote by mail ballot online by logging on to voterockfordil.gov/vote-by-mail-ballot or downloading a vote by mail request form and sending it to the Rockford Board of Elections office, 301 S. 6th St.
In Winnebago County outside of Rockford, residents can request a vote by mail ballot by logging on to wincoil.gov/departments/clerks-office/election-information or downloading a vote by mail request form and sending it to the Winnebago County Clerk's Office, 404 Elm St., Room 101.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be valid.
When can I vote early in Rockford?
Starting Thursday and through March 8, voters can cast a ballot 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Rockford Board of Elections office. Vote on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 24, March 2 and March 9 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 10.
Extended hours 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. are offered Monday through Friday March 11 to March 18; 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 16; and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 17.
In-person voters must cast ballots at their designated polling place on Election Day March 19.
When can I vote early in Winnebago County?
Winnebago County residents outside of Rockford can vote early starting Thursday at the Administration Building, 404 Elm Street, 4th Floor in Rockford. Cast ballots early from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m Monday through Friday through March 8.
March 11 through March 18, extended hours will be offered from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday In addition, county voters can cast early ballots from 830 a.m. to noon, Saturday, March 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 10; 830 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 16; and 830 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17.
How about in Boone County?
Boone County and Belvidere voters starting Thursday and through March 18 can cast early ballots 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except on holidays at the Boone County Clerk’s Office, 1212 Logan Ave., Suite 103 in Belvidere. The office will also offer early voting 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 16.
When can I vote early in Stephenson County?
Stephenson County and Freeport voters can starting Thursday through March 18 cast early ballots 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday via the Stephenson County Clerk's Office on the lower level of the Stewart Centre, 50 West Douglas St. in Freeport. In addition, early voting will be offered 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 16.
When is the deadline to register?
The last day to register to vote for the March 2024 primary is Feb. 20. You can check your voter registration status and find your polling place on the State Board of Elections website.
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached at (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on Twitter @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: What to know about early voting for the Illinois primary
