Illinois votes Tuesday, November 3. Polls are open 6 AM to 7 PM, you can register and vote the same day with two forms of ID, and mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. A nonpartisan guide to the basics.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 is Election Day in Illinois. This is a nonpartisan guide to when, where and how to vote. The Chicago Route does not endorse candidates or positions.
Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Find your polling place with the State Board of Elections lookup (ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx). Illinois does not require ID to vote if you are already registered.
Not registered yet? Regular registration closed October 6 and online registration closes October 18, but grace-period registration runs through Election Day: register in person and vote right away, bringing two forms of ID, one showing your current address.
Voting early: in Chicago, early voting opened October 1 at the downtown sites (137 S. State St. and 69 W. Washington St., 6th floor) and expands to all 50 wards starting October 19, through November 2.
Voting by mail: the application deadline is October 29. Mailed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, and you can also use an official drop box. Mail ballots can't be turned in at your polling place, but you can surrender yours there and vote in person.
Questions or problems at the polls: the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline is 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683).
Checked Oct 8, 2026 against the City of Bloomington Board of Election Commissioners' 2026 calendar (state deadlines) and NBC Chicago's Oct 5, 2026 voting guide. Confirm details at chicagoelections.gov.
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