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Illinois' 2024 general election is right around the corner, with voters casting ballots in a wide variety of races.
The presidential election will appear at the top of the ticket, but voters throughout the state will also choose their state representatives, and in some cases their state senators, and voters in Chicago will even elect a school board for the first time.
In order to help voters prepare for the election, we have compiled a list of essential resources, detailed information and a slew of links to ensure that voters can make their voices heard as the election season gets underway in earnest.
Before we proceed, it’s important to note that the most up-to-date and detailed information and specific answers to questions can be found by contacting your local election authority.
The fastest way to find contact information for your county clerk is to 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 Nov. 5 this year.
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Voters can of course cast their ballots on that date, but early voting in Illinois has now begun in most parts of the state.
How to register to vote in Illinois
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Multiple avenues exist for voters to register in Illinois, starting with automatic voter registration, available at Secretary of State’s Office locations and other public facilities in the state.
Voters can also register to vote via the mail by printing out a form and returning it to their local county clerk’s office, or can deliver the form in-person to those offices.
The form to do so can be found here. The deadline for this type of voter registration is 28 days prior to the election, which will fall on Oct. 8, 2024.
Voters can register online via the State Board of Elections’ website, with a deadline of Oct. 20 for that type of registration.
Finally, voters can register during a grace period prior to and including Election Day, going to their local county clerk’s office or designated polling places, with proper identification required. Voters registering in this fashion will be required to submit ballots on the same day that they register.
HOW TO VOTE IN ILLINOIS
Illinois voters can of course vote on Nov. 5 in the general election, but there are multiple other ways to cast ballots in the state.
The first one available to voters will be early voting, which will get underway on Sept. 26 and continue through election day. Most counties permit early voting at local county clerks’ offices, with additional sites opening throughout the election cycle.
Voters can also cast ballots via the mail. Applications to do so can be found on the state Board of Elections’ website, and must be returned no later than five days prior to the election.
Overseas and military voting are also available for Illinois residents who won’t be in the country on Election Day, with a full manual available on the Board of Elections’ website.
A full rundown of voting options can be found on the NBC Chicago app.
How to vote by mail in Illinois
Illinois residents who are interested in voting by mail can do so long as they are registered to vote, according to state law.
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot is five days before the election, or Oct. 31, 2024. Those ballots must then be postmarked no later than Election Day on Nov. 5, or dropped into a designated dropbox by the end of the day on Election Day.
Voters also can still choose to vote in-person, with specific steps laid out to do so on the Board of Elections' website.
Full information on how to register to vote by mail, and other assorted information about policies enshrined in state law, can be found on the NBC Chicago app.
How to vote early in the Chicago area
Early voting has now launched in most parts of Illinois, with county clerk’s offices participating in the 40 days leading up to the election.
Each jurisdiction, as well as the city of Chicago itself, designates different polling places for the purposes of early voting in the lead-up to election day.
You can find more information via the following links:
City of Chicago (voting begins Oct. 3)
Cook County (voting begins Oct. 9)
How to vote on Election Day
Voters can of course cast ballots on Election Day in their respective polling places, but there are limited circumstances in which forms of identification may be required.
No ID is required if a voter is registered at their current address and is voting in the correct precinct, though an ID can resolve any questions that arise while casting ballots.
A voter will need a form of identification if election judges have reason to challenge their right to vote at a polling place, or if their voter registration form did not contain a driver’s license or state ID number, or a Social Security Number, according to the Board of Elections.
Those seeking to register to vote on Election Day and cast ballots will also need to bring two forms of identification. A full list of acceptable forms of identification can be found here.
When are polls open on Election Day?
Polls in Illinois are required to be open by 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m., though voters who are in line when polls close are still legally able to cast ballots.
Certain circumstances can lead to polling places remaining open for extended hours, but information will be relayed to voters in those circumstances.
Can you register to vote on Election Day?
Same-day voter registration is indeed available in Illinois, as are opportunities to legally change addresses on a voter registration form or to update a person’s name on the voter rolls.
It is important to note that not all polling places will have same-day registration available, as election judges have to be properly trained in the process, but voters can find information on the Board of Elections’ website.
County clerk’s offices also can register voters on the day of the election.
Voters seeking to do so must bring two forms of identification, and their vote will be counted on a provisional basis until their right to register at the address they submit is verified.
More information on the types of identification required for same-day voter registration can be found here.
Who’s on the ballot in Illinois?
Illinois is taking an election cycle off from voting in U.S. Senate races, with Sens. Dick Durbin up for reelection in 2026 and Tammy Duckworth in 2028.
However, state voters will be tasked with voting for president, with Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. all on the ballot for that office.
In addition to the presidential race, all 17 of Illinois’ seats in the U.S. House of Representatives will be on the ballot, as will all of the state’s House seats and a third of the state’s Senate seats.
There will also be three advisory questions on the ballot at the statewide level, along with referendums in numerous communities and counties.
Finally, there will be a limited number of races at the municipal and county levels in the 2024 general election.
Voters can check for candidates in various offices via the state Board of Elections’ website.
Are there any referendums on the ballot in Illinois?
There are three advisory questions on the ballot in Illinois in November, none of which will be binding, according to the State Board of Elections.
One question will ask whether candidates should be subject to civil penalties if they interfere with an election worker’s official duties. A second will ask if a Constitutional Amendment should be passed imposing an additional 3% tax on income over $1 million to help offer property tax relief. The third question will concern whether reproductive treatments should be covered by health insurance plans in the state.
Numerous counties in the Chicago area will have referendums on their ballots, with voters able to access that information via the Board of Elections’ website.
What are the races to watch in Illinois
In addition to the presidential race, there are several other races that will be on the ballot that could have nationwide impacts on control of Congress.
As Democrats aim to potentially regain control of the House of Representatives, voters should keep an eye on the 17th Congressional district, which pits incumbent Rep. Eric Sorensen against Republican contender Joe McGraw.
That race is currently listed as “lean Democratic” by the Cook Political Report, with McGraw looking to try to flip the seat to Republican control.
Democrats are also allocating additional resources to Rep. Nikki Budzinski in the 13th District, taking on Republican Josh Loyd in that election.
Illinois Democrats will also try to maintain their control of the state’s House and Senate, with super-majorities in both chambers.
There are two State Supreme Court races on the ballot, but 1st District Justice Joy Virginia Cunningham and 4th District Justice Lisa Holder White are each running unopposed for full 10-year terms on the court.
Depending on their location, voters will also see a variety of appeals and circuit court judges on their ballots, as well as candidates in various county-level superintendent offices.
Voters can find a full list of candidates in their respective counties via the State Board of Elections’ website.
What should I bring to vote in person?
If a voter is already registered at their current home address, they will not need to bring identification. A photo ID can be helpful if any questions arise, however.
Voters registering on the day of the election, or who need to make changes to their voter registration, can do so at select polling places, but will need to bring two forms of identification to do so.
Voters can also bring notes into the voting booth to help them fill out their ballots, according to state officials.
Can I take a ballot selfie?
Taking photos with a ballot is prohibited by state law, according to experts. That prohibition stems from a law that prohibits marking ballots so that another individual can see how a voter voted.
However, state officials have told NBC Chicago in the past that it’s “unlikely” anyone would be prosecuted, but still recommend taking photos of an “I Voted” sticker in lieu of the ballot itself.
What should I do if I run into problems voting?
Voters who are challenged on their voting eligibility, who experience voter intimidation or have trouble at their polling place are encouraged to report such incidents.
If you run into any of the above issues, or have any questions about the voting process, more than 100 organizations across the U.S. operate an Election Protection hotline, which can be reached at:
1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683): English
1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682): Spanish/English
1-888-API-VOTE (1-888-274-8683): Asian languages/English
1-844-YALLA-US (1-844-925-5287): Arabic/English
Illinois residents can also text MYVOTE to 866-687-8683 with any concerns, which will be addressed by trained volunteers.
How to get live Illinois election results
Election Day coverage will be available on NBC Chicago, the station’s 24/7 Streaming News Channel, and via NBC Chicago’s website and mobile app.
Live results can be found in the app, with voters able to turn on notifications to get all the latest news surrounding the election.
