Nonpartisan Voter Resources
Upcoming Election Calendar - 2026
NEXT ELECTION IN ILLINOIS
General Primary Election: March 17, 2026
Primaries are elections that political parties use to select candidates for a general election. Then each party’s candidates run against each other in the general election.
February 5, 2026: First day to vote early or by mail.
February 17, 2026: Last day for regular (paper) voter registration.
February 18, 2026: First day of grace period for in-person voter registration and voting at election authority and early voting sites; continues through Election Day.
March 1, 2026: Last day for online voter registration. Grace period registration is still available at election authority and early voting sites.
March 12, 2026: Last day for election authority to receive vote by mail applications.
March 17, 2026: Primary Election Day! Polls are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.
General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Frequently Asked Election Questions
The election process can be confusing. Below are selected frequently asked questions as seen on the Chicago Board of Elections FAQ page. Follow this link for the full list of FAQs.
Yes
Yes. Under the law in Illinois, voters in a Primary Election only vote on one ballot that lists the candidates for that one party. Voters are free to stick with or switch parties from election to election, and selections in the Primary do not affect how a person may vote in any future elections.
During a Primary Election, you may request a specific party ballot when you go to vote – either in-person, early, or when requesting a Vote By Mail ballot. When the time comes to select your ballot, you may choose any party you wish.
You do not need to register for a political party as part of your voter registration unless you are on the Permanent Vote By Mail Roster. If you are on the Permanent Vote By Mail Roster and you would like to change your Party ballot preference, you can do so by submitting the change on our online Permanent Roster form.
Please note: if you select a ‘Non-Partisan’ ballot, that ballot will contain no candidates, no offices, and only citywide or local referenda questions based on where you live, if available
Answer
If you moved to your current address at least 30 days before Election Day, vote at the precinct polling place for your new/current address. You may update your registration and vote at your new precinct polling place with two forms of ID, at least one of which shows your current address.
If you moved within Chicago less than 30 days before Election Day, vote at the precinct polling place for your old address.
Answer
You do not need ID if you are already registered to vote and your signature matches the one on file and there are no questions about your registration. However, there are times when you do need identification, such as registering to vote or updating the name or address on your registration in person when you go to vote.
Learn more about IDs here.
Answer
If you have not cast your ballot yet and you notice a mistake in your selection on the touch screen, go back and touch that choice again and then make the selection that you meant to make. If you make a mistake on a paper ballot, you must ask the judge to spoil that ballot and get a new paper ballot.
Answer
No. Once a voter casts a ballot, the voter cannot cast another ballot. Attempting to vote more than once in the same election is a felony.
Answer
If using a touchscreen voting machine, you may choose one of 12 languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, Tagalog, Gujarati, Urdu, Arabic, Ukrainian, and Russian.
If Voting By Mail, you may choose one of 7 languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, and Tagalog.
If voting a paper ballot in your precinct on Election Day, you may have different language options based on your precinct. Please click here for more information.
Answer
Yes, employees are entitled to two hours off work, if:
- The employee gives the employer notice, prior to election day (the Election Code does not specify what type of notice is required);
- The employer may specify the hours during which the employee may be absent;
- The employer must permit a 2-hour absence during hours if the employee’s working time begins before 7:59 a.m. (within two hours of the open of polls) and the working time ends after 5:01 p.m. (within two hours of the close of polls).
No employer shall refuse an employee the privilege of time off from work nor subject the employee to a penalty, including a reduction in compensation due to such an absence from work.
Answer
A registered voter who is hospitalized not more than 14 days before an election may request a Vote By Mail ballot.
- This application must be completed by the voter, the voter’s attending physician and the voter’s representative (a relative or another registered voter from the same precinct).
- The completed application may be submitted in person at 69 W Washington, 8th Floor or by email to votebymail@chicagoelections.gov
- The voter’s representative will be responsible for picking up the ballot at 69 W. Washington, 8th Floor, delivering the ballot to the voter, and also returning the voted ballot to 69 W. Washington, 8th Floor.
- If the voter’s application form was submitted by email, the original signed and notarized application form must be submitted with the returned ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
By law, a Vote By Mail ballot cannot by submitted by email or fax.