Chicago And Bolivia: Where To Vote?

Chicago voters have two options for casting their ballots: they can either vote by mail or in person at their precinct polling place or a vote center. For those looking to vote in person, it's important to note that you can only vote at your assigned precinct polling place, and if you try to vote at another location, you will be asked to vote with a provisional ballot. However, you can vote at any of the 51 vote centers open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm on Election Day, regardless of where you live in the city. As for mail-in voting, residents can apply to vote by mail for the upcoming election or join the Vote By Mail Permanent Roster to receive mail-in ballots for all future elections.

Register to vote in Chicago

To register to vote in Chicago, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be 17 years old on or before the date of the Primary Election (3/19/2024) and turn 18 on or before the date of the General Election (11/5/2024).
• Live in your precinct at least 30 days before the election.
• Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
• Not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction.

How to Register

There are several ways to register to vote in Chicago:

• Online: If you have an Illinois driver's license or state ID, you may register online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website. You can use this ID card to register to vote or to change your name or address. You can also pre-register to vote online if you are 16 years old—your application will be held until you reach voting age.
• In Person at Early Voting: You must show two forms of ID, with at least one listing your current address. Available at all Early Voting sites, including 51 sites open as Vote Centers on Election Day.
• At Your Precinct Polling Place on Election Day: You must show two forms of ID, with at least one listing your current address.
• At the Illinois Secretary of State's Office: If you are also obtaining a new driver's license or state ID during that visit, you can use this downloadable form. Fill it in, print it out, sign it, and deliver or mail it to 69 W. Washington St. 6th Floor, Chicago, IL, 60602.
• With a Deputy Registrar: Contact political parties or civic organizations to see if there is a deputy registrar near you. You must show two forms of ID, with at least one listing your current address.

After Registering

After your voter registration form is processed, the Election Board will mail you a new voter card. You can also check your voter registration status online.

Locate your polling place

To locate your polling place, you will need to verify your voter registration. You can do this by using the Voter Information Lookup Tool on the Chicago Board of Elections website. Here, you will be asked to enter your first and last name (no middle name) and address (including Street Direction and Street Name). Please note that you should not leave any spaces before or after the numerical values in the online form.

Once you have entered your details, you will be able to access your voter information, which includes your precinct polling place for Election Day. It is important to note that you can only vote at your assigned precinct polling place. If you try to vote at another precinct polling place, you will be asked to vote with a Provisional ballot.

If you are unable to locate your polling place using the online tool, you can try searching by address only. Alternatively, you can contact the Chicago Board of Elections directly to get help finding your polling place.

In addition to locating your polling place, the Voter Information Lookup Tool can also be used to learn your closest Early Voting locations, check the status of your Vote By Mail application, and obtain a sample ballot, among other things.

Vote by mail

If you're a resident of Chicago, you can apply to vote by mail for the upcoming election on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. The deadline to apply to vote by mail is Thursday, October 31, 2024, by 5:00 pm. You can fill out an online form or download, print, sign, and return a paper version of the application. The online application requires your first and last name, address (including street direction and name), and zip code.

When you apply online to vote by mail, the Election Board will send you emails to notify you when your application is accepted, when your ballot is sent to you, when they receive your Ballot Return Envelope, and when your ballot has been processed and counted. You will also receive an email when your ballot is mailed. All vote-by-mail ballots come with postage-paid Ballot Return Envelopes.

When you receive your vote-by-mail ballot, follow all the instructions that come with your ballot and be sure to vote in secret. When marking your ballot, use a blue or black ink pen only. Do not use a felt-tip marker, pencil, red pen, or white-out, as these cannot be read by ballot scanners.

The signed and sealed Ballot Return Envelope may be returned by U.S. Postal Service or a licensed courier, or delivered in person to the Election Board at 69 W. Washington, Sixth Floor. You can also use a secured drop box at any Chicago Early Voting location before Election Day or Vote Center on Election Day (please note that precinct polling places do not have drop boxes).

Once a mail ballot has been returned to the Board, it cannot be retrieved or withdrawn. If you change your mind and want to vote in person, you can take your Vote By Mail ballot to any Early Voting site, your precinct polling place, or nearest vote center on Election Day, surrender the ballot, and then vote on a new ballot. If you have not yet received your ballot in the mail, you will be asked to sign an affidavit form and then you will be allowed to vote.

If you are a member of the military or a civilian living overseas, visit the Chicago Board of Elections website for more information on voting.

Early voting locations

Early voting is already open in Downtown Chicago and will be available in all 50 Wards from 21 October.

To find your closest early voting location, you can use the Voter Information Lookup Tool. You will need to enter your first and last name (no middle name) and address (including street direction and name).

You can also find out about the accessibility options at early voting locations, as well as the assistance and facilities available for voters with disabilities.

Voting with a disability

The Chicago Board of Elections is committed to ensuring that all voters can cast their ballot privately and independently. The Board is working with the U.S. Department of Justice to ensure that polling places meet the latest standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The Board also offers a range of tools to help voters with different physical abilities:

• Ballot Marker Grippers make it easier to hold marking pens for paper ballots.
• Large Ballot Viewers are magnifying lenses that enlarge the print on paper ballots.
• Wheelchair-accessible voting booths are available in each polling place, and voters who have difficulty standing for long periods can use a provided chair.
• Audio Controller Units and Audio Ballots allow visually impaired voters to hear the ballot instructions and make their choices using a handheld controller and headphones.
• Audio-Visual Ballots can be used by voters with limited arm movement or dexterity issues.
• Sip-and-Puff Devices can be used in conjunction with the audio controller, allowing voters to navigate the audio ballot.
• Door Bells are provided outside polling places with heavy doors, so a judge of election can open the door for voters.
• Threshold Ramps are placed at polling places with high door thresholds to make it easier for wheelchair users to enter.
• An Information and Services Notice ("Need Help Voting?" sign) is printed in large type and lists services and rules for voters who may receive assistance.
• Alternate Entrance Signs direct voters with disabilities to the entrance that offers the easiest access.
• Assisted Voting is available for those who need help from a trusted person or two judges of election (from different political parties) to cast their ballot.
• Designated Parking is provided at polling places for vehicles that display placards for drivers with disabilities.

The Board also offers a Vote By Mail option for voters with accessibility issues. This allows voters to access and mark their ballots through an online system and then print and mail them in. Applications for this option can be submitted online or by printing and signing a form, which can then be emailed, mailed, or faxed.

Additional Resources for Voters with Disabilities

• Disability Vote Illinois is a nonpartisan campaign that provides resources and guides for disabled voters, including information on registering to vote, finding your polling place, and using accessible voting options.
• Equip for Equality helps ensure that the voting process is accessible to people with disabilities and provides a statewide telephone helpline on Election Days, including text help for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech impairment.

Frequently asked questions