November 2026 Election Information

DID YOU KNOW?GET INVOLVED
Written By Audrey Champelli
48th Ward Votes

Primary elections will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Here’s what you need to know.

In this post:

  • IMPORTANT DATES

  • REGISTER TO VOTE

  • VOTE BY MAIL

  • EARLY VOTING

  • ELECTION DAY VOTING

  • SERVE AS A POLLWORKER

IMPORTANT DATES

  • September 24, 2026: Mail-in ballots begin going out to those who have already applied

  • October 1, 2026: Early Voting begins downtown

  • October 19, 2026: Early Voting begins in all 50 wards

  • October 29, 2026: Vote by Mail application deadline

  • November 3, 2026: Election Day. Vote in person, mail ballots, or drop mail-in ballots in drop boxes.

48th Ward Registered Voter

REGISTER TO VOTE

There are many ways to register to vote, including at your polling place on election day. If you’d like to register to vote online, October 18 is the last day to do so. Learn more about registering and checking your registration here.

apply now to vote by mail

VOTE BY MAIL

The deadline to apply to vote by mail is 5pm on October 29. Apply by mail or through an online form. Learn more here. Note: you can also sign up for the vote-by-mail permanent roster. This ensures that you get mailed a ballot for all future elections

Chicago Early Voting

EARLY VOTING

Early voting begins on October 1 downtown at the following locations:

  • 137 South State Street

  • 69 W. Washington Street, 6th Floor

Early voting across all 50 wards begins on March 2. The 48th Ward site is at the Broadway Armory (5917 N Broadway), but any Chicago voter may vote early at any of the ward sites. See the full list of early voting sites here.

Chicago I voted stickers

IN-PERSON ELECTION DAY VOTING

On election day, you may vote at any of the early voting sites or at your assigned precinct polling place which you can find here. You may not vote at another precinct polling place. Learn more about marking paper ballots and using electronic voting machines here.

democracy starts with you be a poll worker flyer

SERVE AS A POLL WORKER

There are many ways to get involved as a pollworker in this year’s primary election:

  • Early Voting Officials - paid $17/hour to operate and administrate Early Voting sites. Learn more here.

  • Voter Registrars - volunteer to register voters. Requires training. Learn more here.

  • Election Day Judges - paid between $170 and $230 to manage the precinct polling place and assist voters. Learn more here.

  • Election Day Coordinators - paid $450 to run the set-up, operation, and closing of the precinct on Election Day. Requires training. Learn more here.

  • Poll Watchers - representative of a candidate, political party, civic organization or proposition who is legally in the polling place to observe the conduct of the election. Learn more here.

Sample ballots now available graphic

What’s On the Ballot?

In the November 3 election, voters will ELECT candidates for:

  • US Senator

  • Illinois Governor and Lieutenant Governor

  • Illinois Attorney General

  • Illinois Secretary of State

  • Illinois Comptroller

  • Illinois Treasurer

  • Representatives in Congress

  • State Senator

  • Representatives in the General Assembly

  • Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

  • President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners

  • County Clerk of Cook County

  • Sheriff of Cook County

  • Treasurer of Cook County

  • Assessor of Cook County

  • County Commissioners of Cook County

  • Commissioner of the Board of Review of Cook County

  • Illinois Appellate Court

  • Cook County Circuit and Subcircuit Judges

  • President of the Chicago Board of Education

  • Members of the Chicago Board of Education

Access an individual sample ballot based on your address here.

Looking for more information on elections and voting? Visit the Chicago Board of Elections Website here.

Audrey Champelli
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