League of Women Voters of Illinois^®

Early Voting

All of the counties in Illinois offer the opportunity to vote early from October 14 to October 30. You do not need to fill out a special application or have a reason to vote early. Check with your local county government on times and places. To find the contact information for your local county, go to www.elections.il.gov. Many counties have Saturday times. Cook County allows voters to vote at any of the early voting locations throughout Cook County. This allows people to vote during lunchtime near their place of work. Downtown workers can vote at 69 W. Washington. The City of Chicago also has an early voting location there. Bring a picture ID with you.

Absentee Voting

Registered voters expecting to be absent from their county of residence on election day can apply for an application to vote by absentee ballot if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Registered voters expecting to be absent from their county of residence on election day.
• Registered voters appointed to be judges of election outside their home precinct.
• Registered voters unable to be present at the polls because of a physical incapacity.
• Registered voters observing a religious holiday on Election Day.
• Registered voters working for the state's attorney, county clerk or board of elections.
• Registered voters serving as a sequestered juror on a State or Federal jury.
• Registered or non-registered members of the United States armed forces on active duty.
• Spouses and dependents of armed forces members who expect to be outside their county of residence.
• State and Federal employees assigned outside of their home precinct.
• Registered citizen temporarily residing overseas.
• Any citizen residing outside of the country, not registered to vote but qualified to vote at a federal election, may vote by absentee ballot for federal offices.

Some voters, primarily those who are temporarily out of the country, may make application for an absentee ballot not less than 10 days prior to the election.  Members of the armed forces while on active duty may apply for an absentee ballot by fax machine.

The following steps must be completed to receive an absentee ballot:

1. Obtain the proper application for an absentee ballot from your election authority (county clerk or board of election commissioners).
2. Upon receipt, complete the application.  Make certain to include your name, home address, and the address where you want the ballot mailed, and be sure to sign the application.
3. Mail or deliver in person the application to your election authority.  If returning it in person, you may immediately vote your absentee ballot.  If you return it by mail, you will receive your absentee ballot by mail.
4. After receiving your ballot, vote the ballot in secret.  Insert the ballot in the envelope provided, seal and complete the certification on the back and mail your ballot or return it in person.

Absentee voters are encouraged to contact their election authority early for specific details if they plan to be out of the country.