In Illinois, you do NOT need to show identification to vote after you have voted the first time, nor should election workers ask you for ID. You can vote on Election Day or early, and in-person or by mail. In addition, you can also request your ballot and election materials in a non-English language!
You have the right to vote in Illinois! You can cast a ballot if you are NOT currently serving a conviction inside a correctional institution or on temporary leave/furlough from prison!
Same Day Registration is available at all early voting sites and on Election Day. Voters must bring two forms of ID, with at least one that includes your current address.
Beginning March 20th, anyone can vote at the Chicago Board of Elections downtown sites or at any of the Chicago 50 early voting locations.
You can vote in person on Election Day at the precinct/polling location assigned based on your address or at the 50 early voting locations across the city.
Your application to Vote By Mail must be received by 5:00 pm on March 30, 2023. Once you receive your ballot, fill it out and then mail it in, or put it in an official drop-box.
As of 2020, Illinois allows you to drop your mail-in ballot at a secure drop-box outside of early voting and Election Day polling locations.
If you live in the following wards, you have an alderperson runoff election: 1, 4 ,5,6,10,11, 21, 29, 30,36, 43, 45,46, and 48.
If you are eligible to vote, you should never be turned away from the polls. For questions or any issues at the polls, the Election Protection hotline provides free non-partisan voting assistance from legal advocates, call 1 (866) OUR-VOTE or 1 (866) 687-8683.
HOW WE MADE THIS GUIDE
We asked candidates questions about issues that young people give a sh*t about. Answers are based on direct responses from candidates’ campaigns.
This guide was last updated on March 14th.
Brandon Johnson
Hometown: Chicago, IL (Austin)
Currently Resides in: Austin neighborhood
Age: 46
Previous Jobs: CPS social studies teacher (’07- ’11), Chicago Teachers Union organizer (’11-’18), Cook County Commissioner (’18 – present)
Paul Vallas
Hometown: Chicago, IL (Roseland)
Currently Resides In: Palos Heights
Age: 69
Previous Jobs: Illinois Economic and Fiscal Commission (’85-’90), Chicago municipal budget director (’90-’93), CEO of CPS (1995-2001), CEO of the School District of Philadelphia(’02-’07), Superintendent Recovery School District of Louisiana (’07-’11), Superintendent of Bridgeport Public Schools (’11-’17), Chicago State University (’17-18′)
The mayor is responsible for creating the city budget. The city budget determines how much money each city department will get.
Below are the amounts budgeted for select departments:
Additionally, 50 alderpeople make up the Chicago City Council, which serves as the legislative branch of the government of Chicago.
This is who votes on land acquisitions and sales, zoning changes, traffic control issues, mayoral appointees, and approves the city budget!
March 20, 2023
The first day Early Voting is available in all 50 wards and at the Chicago Board of Elections two downtown sites.
March 30, 2023
The last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the April 4th runoff elections.
April 4, 2023
Election Day! If you are returning a vote by mail ballot via mail, your ballot must be postmarked on or before Election Day.
If you would like to pick up a box of voter guides and pass them out, please complete this form!
Get your election questions answered.
What are my voting rights?
- On Election Day, each polling place will be open from 6am to 7pm. Voters in line at the polling place by 7pm must be allowed to vote.
- Voters have the right to vote (and wait to vote) without anyone intimidating them. This includes campaigning and electioneering.
- All registered voters may request a mail-in ballot. The deadline to request a ballot is November 3, 2022.
- In general, voters do not have to provide ID at the polling place. There are three exceptions: a voter using Election Day Registration, a voter changing their voting address at the polling place, or a first-time voter who registered by mail but did not submit proof of identity with the registration application
- Election Day, or Same Day, Registration is available at all early voting sites and on Election Day. Voters must bring two forms of ID, with at least one that includes your current address.
- Voters who need assistance voting are entitled to have a person of their choice, except for the voter’s employer or union representative, provide bilingual assistance or assist the voter in marking their choices on the ballot.
- If you have completed your sentence, you can vote. Only people currently serving a sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections cannot vote.
If you have trouble at the polls, call Election Protection at 866-OUR-VOTE.
Can I vote with a felony record?
If you have a felony and have completed your sentence, you can vote. Only people currently serving a sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections cannot vote. This includes people on temporary leave/furlough from jail/prison.
When can I vote?
Early voting opens up to all 50 wards beginning March 20th. You can catch up on all things early voting at chicagoelections.gov.
On election day, April 4th, you can vote at the Loop Supersite, any early voting location, or your precinct/polling location assigned based on your address.
Can I vote by mail?
All Illinois voters have the option to vote by mail, receiving a ballot in the mail and either mailing it back or bringing it to a ballot dropbox.
The deadline to apply to Vote By Mail is 5:00 pm on March 30, 2023. You can apply to vote by mail on the Chicago Board of Elections website. Once you receive your ballot, fill it out and then mail it in, or put it in an official drop- box.
How can I support elections?
Election Day is April 4th, and election judges and coordinators are the keys to making polling places run smoothly. Serve as an election judge and get paid $230 or serve as an election coordinator and get paid $450.
Ready to commit? Apply right here.
What am I going to be voting on?
Chicago voters will be casting ballots on the following offices:
Mayor
Alderpeople ( Wards 1, 4 ,5,6,10,11, 21, 29, 30,36, 43, 45,46, and 48.)
Who is Chicago Votes?
Chicago Votes is a non-partisan, non-profit organization building a more inclusive democracy by putting power in the hands of young Chicagoans. We’re engaging a new generation of leaders, changing laws to make Chicago and Illinois a better place to be young, and in the process, we’re making democracy FUN.