As the 2024 general election approaches, Illinois residents are gearing up to cast their ballots and make their voices heard. With numerous referendums, judicial races, and control of the General Assembly on the line, this election is crucial for the future of our state.
At the top of the ticket, the presidential election will take center stage. However, voters throughout the state will also have the opportunity to choose their state representatives and, in some cases, their state senators. This election will also mark a historic moment for the city of Chicago, as voters will have the chance to elect their first-ever elected school board members. Additionally, some voters will be asked to approve major projects aimed at improving school and park facilities.
To help voters prepare for this important election, we have compiled a list of essential resources and detailed information. We have also provided a variety of links to ensure that voters have all the necessary information at their fingertips.
Before we dive into the details, it’s important to note that the most up-to-date and accurate information can be found by contacting your local election authority. To find the contact information for your county clerk, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections’ website.
When is Election Day?
Election Day in the United States is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, which falls on November 5th this year. While voters can cast their ballots on that day, early voting is now available in most parts of the state.
How to register to vote in Illinois
The deadline for regular voter registration has passed in Illinois, with online voter registration closing on October 20th. However, voters can still register via grace-period or same-day voter registration. The easiest way to do so is by visiting your local county clerk’s office and bringing the required identification. This will allow you to register and vote on the same day.
On Election Day, voters can also register at specific polling places, as long as they bring the necessary identification. To find out which races will appear on your ballot, use the NBC ballot tool or check out sample ballots on the NBC Chicago app.
How to vote in Illinois
In addition to voting on Election Day, there are multiple ways to cast your ballot in Illinois. Early voting is currently underway and will continue until Election Day. You can also vote by mail by requesting a ballot from the state Board of Elections’ website. Overseas and military voting is also available for those who will not be in the country on Election Day.
How to vote by mail in Illinois
Illinois residents interested in voting by mail must be registered to vote. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is five days before the election, or October 31st. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or dropped off at designated dropboxes by the end of the day on Election Day.
How to vote early in the Chicago area
Early voting has expanded in Illinois, and a list of Chicago-area polling places can be found on the NBC Chicago app. Each jurisdiction and the city of Chicago have designated different polling places for early voting.
How to vote on Election Day
Polls in Illinois are required to be open by 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. However, voters who are in line when polls close are still legally allowed to cast their ballots. In certain circumstances, polling places may remain open for extended hours, and information will be provided to voters in those situations.
Can you register to vote on Election Day?
Same-day voter registration is available in Illinois, as are opportunities to legally change addresses or update names on voter registration forms. However, not all polling places will have same-day registration available, so be sure to check the Board of Elections’ website for more information.
Who’s on the ballot in Illinois?
Illinois is taking a break from voting in U.S. Senate races this election cycle, but all 17 of the state’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be on the ballot. Additionally, all of the state’s House seats and a third of the Senate seats will be up for election. There will also be three advisory questions on the ballot at the statewide level, along with referendums in various communities and counties.
Are there any referendums on the ballot in Illinois?
There are three advisory questions on the ballot in Illinois, along with additional questions in some Chicago wards. These questions will address issues such as penalties for interfering with election workers, a proposed Constitutional Amendment for an
