HOW TO VOTE IN CHICAGO’S 2023 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Election day is Tuesday, Feb. 28. The authoritative resource for information on voting in Chicago is the website maintained by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners at chicagoelections.gov. Here, you can apply to vote by mail, register to vote, view your voter information and change your address or the name on your voter registration file. You can also get information on early voting locations and drop boxes for mail-in ballots, see sample ballots and find complete instructions for military and overseas voters. Those without internet access can call 312269-7900. Those who are hearing impaired can call 312-269-0027.
Here are the important dates, times and addresses:
Register to vote
For this election, it’s too late to mail in a voter registration application, but you can still apply online at ova.elections.il.gov. But, hurry — the online voter registration system closes at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 12.
You can register at the same time you vote in person on Feb. 28. Be sure to bring two forms of identification (such as a passport, driver’s license, Social Security card or Illinois FOID card), including one that lists your current address (certain pieces of mail addressed to the voter are accepted, such as bank statements or a utility bill).
Vote early
Chicago residents can vote early in person at the supersite at 191 N. Clark St. or at the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners on the sixth floor of 69 W. Washington St. Those downtown locations are open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Each of the city’s 50 wards will host an early voting site beginning Feb. 13; voters may use any of these locations. Go to chicagoelections.gov/en/early-voting.html for the complete list.
Vote by mail
To cast a ballot by mail, you must apply online (chicagoelections.gov; click “Vote By Mail” under Top Topics) or download the form, print and return it to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners by 5 p.m. on Feb. 23.
Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Feb. 28 to count. You can also deposit your ballot into any of the secured drop boxes in the city through the close of election day. Drop boxes will be at every ward’s early voting site, the downtown supersite, the Board of Elections office, and, on election day only, at three sports venues — Wrigley Field, the United Center and Wintrust Arena.
Mail-in ballots will not be accepted at precinct polling locations; you’ll be turned away. If you received a mail-in ballot but changed your mind, you’ll have to surrender it and sign an affidavit in order to vote in person. If you lost or never received your ballot, go to your assigned precinct polling place, where you’ll sign an affidavit when you check in.
Vote in person on election day
Polls will be open across the city from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 28.
Some city precincts recently changed their voting locations, so check before you go. Find your polling place at chicagoelections.gov/en/your-voter-information.html.
Registered voters in Chicago need not show ID to cast a ballot. However, an election judge could ask for ID if your signature does not match the one on file or if you did not provide an Illinois driver’s license or Social Security number as part of a mailed-in voter registration form. If challenged, you’ll need to show an accepted form of ID that confirms your current address.
If you moved less than 31 days before the election, you may still vote at your usual polling place.