It’s finally time to choose your next new Chicago mayor. The municipal elections on April 4 feature not only the highly contested race between Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson and former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, but voters in some wards across Chicago will also choose between two finalists for alderperson. Elections will also be held in the suburbs, where voters will cast their ballots for many municipal offices, including village president, trustees and members of the school, library and park boards.
Here’s what you need to know to cast your ballot:
Early voting
Casting ballots before Election Day continues to be a popular choice among voters. Here is where you can fill out your ballot in-person before April 4:
City of Chicago voters can cast their ballots early starting Monday, March 20. Voters can go to early voting locations in any ward, or at either of the two voting locations downtown.
Suburban Cook County residents can vote early in downtown Chicago at the fifth floor of 69 W. Washington St. beginning Wednesday, March 15. Outside of downtown, voters can pull their ballot at their neighborhood early voting location starting Monday, March 20.
DuPage County residents can vote early at the county fairgrounds. Additional early voting locations open on Monday, March 20.
Kane County voters can cast their ballots in-person at the Kane County Clerk’s offices in Geneva or Aurora. More early voting locations open on Monday, March 20.
Kendall County residents can vote early starting Monday, March 20.
Lake County has begun early voting at the county clerk’s office in Waukegan. More locations open on Monday, March 20.
McHenry County began early voting at the McHenry County Administration Building in Woodstock. More locations open on March 20.
Will County has already started early voting at the Will County Clerk’s office. More locations open on March 20.
Vote by mail
A record number of Chicago residents cast their ballots by mail in February’s mayoral election. Applications for a vote-by-mail ballot must be submitted to your local election authority by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. If a resident is already on the list of voters who want to permanently vote-by-mail, that person does not have to apply again. All ballots must be postmarked by April 4 or else they will not be counted. Here is more information about applying for a vote-by-mail ballot.
City of Chicago voters can apply online for a vote-by-mail ballot.
Cook County residents can go here to apply for a remote voting ballot.
DuPage County voters can submit a request online for a vote-by-mail ballot.
Kane County residents can apply for a vote-by-mail ballot here.
Kendall County residents can request a vote-by-mail ballot by completing this form.
Lake County voters can apply online for a vote-by-mail ballot.
McHenry County voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot by completing a form.
Will County residents can apply online for a vote-by-mail ballot.
Election Day
Polls will be open on April 4 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and do not require you to show an ID if you’re already registered to vote, though you might be required to show an ID if an election judge challenges your right to vote or if you’re registering to vote that day.
