2024 Voter Information
KEY DATES – For the General Election
10/08/24 In person voter registration closes
10/20/24 Last day to register to vote by online application https://ova.elections.il.gov
10/21/24 First day of early voting for most locations (check your county website)
10/31/24 Last day to request a mail ballot
11/04/24 Last day of early voting
11/05/24 Last day mail in ballots may be postmarked is ELECTION DAY
ON THE BALLOT
- Federal: U.S. President, all U.S. House of Representatives members
- State: Some Illinois State Senators and all Illinois State Representatives
- Judicial: Illinois Supreme Court, Appellate Court, Circuit Court, and Subcircuit Court judges
- Local: Some counties will hold elections for their county boards, clerks and water districts
WAYS TO REGISTER TO VOTE
- To register or confirm your Voter Registration – Remember, if you have moved or legally changed your name since the last time you voted, you must re-register with your new information. If you have not voted for many years, check your status at https://ova.elections.il.gov. Lake County Residents may call the Lake County Clerk’s office with registration-related questions at 847.377.2410.
- To register online (through October 20, 2024) - Go to https:// ova.elections.il.gov, the Illinois Online Voter Registration Application website.
- To register in person - You can register in person until October 8, 2024, at township or when applying for or renewing your Illinois driver’s license or ID card at a Secretary of State facility.
- To register by mail - Download, print, complete, and mail the form for your county.Applications are available in several languages. Applications must be postmarked by October 8, 2024.
- Last minute registration - If you have not already registered to vote, you can still register and vote at the same time (you must do both) at early voting locations or on Election Day at your designated voting place.
To register online before Oct. 20:
WAYS TO VOTE
- In Person – Early or on Election Day -Check with your county for early voting dates and voting locations. Keep in mind early voting sites and Election Day voting sites are usually different. Confirm the location before you go to vote. ID may be required.
- Vote by Mail – Deadline to Apply: October 31 is the last day to apply for a vote by mail ballot. A Vote By Mail ballot will be mailed to any address you specify. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE to apply due to possible postal service delivery delays.
- Permanent Vote by Mail List Option - You may request to be put on a permanent Vote By Mail list. IF YOU WISH TO AUTOMATICALLY RECEIVE A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT IN ALL FUTURE PRIMARIES, you must select a party whose ballot you will receive in any elections (such as a primary) that require a party designation. If you are on the permanent list, you will always receive a Vote By Mail ballot unless you contact the county clerk to change your preference.
- Visually impaired or print disabled voters in Cook Countymay request an accessible mail ballot by calling 312.603.0976 or by emailing visuallyimpaired.voting@cookcountyil.gov
- BE AWARE that ballots will not be mailed until close to the election - Instructions will accompany your ballot. Read and carefully follow those instructions.
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO VOTE! Your ballot must be physically returned or postmarked by November 5, 2024. Drop box locations will be listed on the county websites along with available dates and times and may not be available for use on the actual Election Day. Note that mail placed in a mailbox may not be postmarked that day. IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND and want to vote in person, BRING YOUR UNUSED VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT to your polling place when you go to vote. You can still vote if you don’t have it.
- WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS IF I AM AWAY AT COLLEGE, STUDYING ABROAD OR IN THE MILITARY IN NOVEMBER?
- If you are living in the US, you may request that your Illinois ballot be mailed to you at any address you specify and vote by mail (see above).
- If you prefer, in some states, you may be allowed to re-register to vote in your college state’s election (instead of in Illinois) – most colleges will have information for you if it is an option.
- Voters located outside the United States (for example, in a study abroad program) have different deadlines to request a ballot. If you plan to be out of the country on Election Day, contact your election authority early to get details. An online application form is at http://tinyurl.com/4kjxh9xa. You can also find helpful information and links at
https://www.fvap.gov/citizen-voter and
https://www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas-voter-services
OTHER VOTER RESOURCES
- Candidate Information
- www.illinoisvoterguide.org is a nonpartisan League of Women Voters website with information on candidate profiles. Ballot information may not be complete.
- https://www.lwvil.org/candidateforum - Close to the election or primary, this site has links to recorded candidate forums sponsored by various area Leagues of Women Voters.
- https://www.injusticewatch.org/judicial-election-guide/ and https://www.isba.org/ have information about judicial candidates, including summaries of their ratings by area bar associations
- Check your local newspaper’s website. They often have information about candidates available.
- Visit your local League of Women Voters website (such as this one) for information on upcoming candidate forums and other election information.
- Ballot Information - See who is on your ballot as information becomes available by visiting your county sites. Advisory referenda will be on the ballot.
Revised: 9/28/24 League of Women Voters of the Palatine, Barrington and Schaumburg Areas