Want to vote early in the election? Here’s where to cast your ballot in Chicago and the suburbs before Nov. 8.

Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune
Updated ·3 min read
1

If you aren’t opting for vote-by-mail but find yourself unavailable to cast your ballot on Election Day, you can vote early. Find your early-voting site information on the State Board of Elections website.

Early voting began for some counties on Sept. 29 — 40 days before Election Day.

In Chicago, early voting is scheduled to begin Oct. 7 at the voting “supersite” at 191 N. Clark St. and the Board of Elections office on the sixth floor at 69 W. Washington St. In suburban Cook County, early voting doesn’t start until Oct. 12 at the Pedway at 69 W. Washington St. and at five local courthouses.

On Oct. 24, early voting expands to polling places around the state, to the early-voting sites in each Chicago ward and in suburban Cook County.

In Chicago, residents can vote at any early-voting site regardless of what ward they live in. The Chicago Board of Elections will also take calls from voters looking for information at its Early Voting Election Central at 312-269-1394.

What is early voting?

Whether you travel for business, can’t get to the polls on Election Day or simply prefer to get your civic responsibility out of the way, voting early is an option.

Votes cast early aren’t counted until polls close on Election Day on Nov. 8.

Do I need to bring an ID?

If you already are registered to vote and your address is correct, you do not need to bring your ID, though it’s not a bad idea in case your signature doesn’t match the one on file. Be sure to bring two forms of identification if you also plan to register on the same day you plan to vote or if you need to change your address or name. At least one of those IDs must list your current address.

What if I’ve already received a mail-in ballot, but want to participate in early voting instead?

If you decide to vote early in person but already received a mail-in ballot, bring that ballot with you when you go to vote in person to have the ballot that was mailed to you canceled.

Where can I vote in person before Election Day?

Here’s a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction look at where and when residents may vote in advance of the primary election on Nov. 8.

Locations and hours of operation are subject to change, so check with your local jurisdiction for latest information.

Early voting locations — by jurisdiction — in the Chicago area

Type your address into the search box below to find the one closest to you.

Jump to your jurisdiction

Chicago

Jurisdiction: Chicago Board of Election Commissioners

Suburban Cook County

Jurisdiction: Cook County Clerk’s office

DuPage County

Jurisdiction: DuPage County Election Commission

Kane County

Jurisdiction: Kane County Clerk

Lake County

Jurisdiction: Lake County Clerk

McHenry County

Jurisdiction: McHenry County Clerk

Will County

Jurisdiction: Will County Clerk