How you can register and vote in the Chicago municipal election

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SAS Blogs

Though the Chicago municipal election isn’t until Feb. 28, early voting opened on Jan. 26.

Amy Ren, Assistant Editor

Voting is now open for Chicago mayor, treasurer, clerk, city council and the new police district council.

New and previous voters can check their registration status on the city’s website. People can register as voters online, download and mail a form or call 312-269-7851 to request an application to be mailed, or register the same day they vote, provided they bring documentation.

The first Vote by Mail ballots were sent Jan. 19. People voting by mail must have their ballot postmarked or certified by Feb. 28, and the ballot must be received by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners by March 14 in order for it to be counted. Ballots must be returned through the U.S. Postal Service or a licensed courier, in a drop box at any Chicago Early Voting location before Feb. 28, or by personal delivery to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners at the 6th floor of 69 W. Washington.

Early voting began Jan. 26. Voters can cast ballots at the Supersite voting center downtown at 191 N. Clark St. or at the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners on 69 W. Washington’s 6th floor. Both addresses are open to voters weekdays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. up to Feb. 27.

Here are the upcoming important dates in this year’s election.

Feb. 13 — Each of Chicago’s 50 wards opens its own early voting location. Early voters may use any of the 50 ward locations, not just the one in their ward.

Feb. 22 — Three university early voting sites will be available until Feb. 24: Chicago State University (9501 S. King Dr.), Northeastern Illinois University (5500 N. St. Louis) and the University of Chicago — Reynolds Club (1131 E. 57th St).  

Feb. 23 — Last day for the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners to receive Vote by Mail applications.

Feb. 28 — Election Day. People may cast ballots at any of Chicago’s 50 wards, along with the Board Supersite (191 N. Clark) from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.