Q: If I make a mistake while voting, can I correct it?
A: If you have not cast your ballot yet and you notice a mistake in your selection on the touch screen, go back and touch that choice again and then make the selection that you want. If you make a mistake on a paper ballot, you must ask the judge to spoil that ballot and get a new paper ballot.
Q: Similar to Early Voting, can a voter go on Election Day to any polling place?
A:
No. On Election Day, a voter must vote only at the polling place assigned to that voter's precinct.
Click here to find your precinct number and polling place. If you are not yet registered under your current name or your current address, enter only your current address.
Q: Will my precinct polling place be the same as it was in past elections?
A: Whenever possible, the Board tries to keep polling places at the same locations. However, there may be some polling place owners who cannot or will not allow us to use that site again.
Click here to find your precinct number and polling place and check again closer to Election Day.
Please note: IF YOU MOVED from one Chicago precinct to another Chicago precinct on or before March 3, 2019, go to the precinct and polling place for you
new address. At the polling place for your new address, you may update your registration address with
any two forms of ID, at least one of which includes your new address. Find your new polling place
by entering only your new address here.
Q: There are campaign signs on a public property. Will the Election Board remove them?
A: The Election Board has jurisdiction only over signage at polling places that are used on Election Day or during Early Voting, and even then, only in the polling place itself and the "campaign-free zone" that extends 100 feet from the entrance to the polling place. Campaign signs are permitted on polling-place properties so long as they are outside the "campaign-free zone." During Early Voting, you may call 312-263-1394 with questions about signage at Early Voting sites. On Election Day, you may call Election Central at 312-269-7870 with questions about campaign signs at polling places.
You must call 311 with any other questions about campaign signs on other public properties such as bridges, parks, intersections, etc.
Q: If I vote in Early Voting and change my mind, can I vote again on Election Day to cancel out my first ballot?
A: No. Once a voter casts a ballot, the voter cannot cast another ballot. Attempting to vote more than once in the same election is a felony.
Q: What is a Provisional Ballot? When are Provisional Ballots counted?
A: If the judges cannot locate a voter registration record for a person in that precinct:
- The election judges may perform a "citywide search" in the Electronic Poll Book to try to find if the voter is in the wrong precinct and give the voter the correct precinct polling place; or,
- The election judges may use the precinct map, precinct outline or poll sheet (paper list of voters), or call the Voter Registration Department to verify if the voter’s address is in the correct precinct.
Casting a Provisional Ballot in the wrong precinct may result in some or all of the provisional ballot NOT being counted. For this reason, voters should go to the correct polling place when directed.
Reasons for voting a Provisional Ballot include:
a) No registration record found in the precinct;
b) Voter is challenged and the judges uphold the challenge;
c) Voter is required to provide ID but does not have acceptable ID;
d) Voter is listed as having cast a ballot in early voting or through vote by mail, but voter believes that record is in error;
e) Voter is casting a ballot during a court-ordered extension of hours at a polling place.
Provisional ballots are separated from others cast on Election Day.
After Election Day, Board employees evaluate provisional ballot applications to determine whether the ballot can be released into the count. Also, each provisional voter has 7 calendar days after Election Day to submit documents to the Election Board that will show that voter's eligibility to vote in that precinct (photo ID, utility bills, bank statements, etc.)
Learn more about provisional ballots here.
Q: Do employers have to give employees time off from work to vote?
A: Yes, employees are entitled to two hours off work, if:
a) The employee gives the employer notice, prior to election day (the Election Code does not specify what type of notice is required);
b) The employer may specify the hours during which the employee may be absent;
c) The employer must permit a 2-hour absence during hours if the employee's working time begins before 7:59 a.m. (within two hours of the open of polls)
and the working time ends after 5:01 p.m. (within two hours of the close of polls).
No employer shall refuse an employee the privilege of time off from work nor subject the employee to a penalty, including a reduction in compensation due to such an absence from work.
Q: If I am suddenly hospitalized shortly before the election, how can I vote?
A: A registered voter who is hospitalized not more than 14 days before an election may request a Vote By Mail ballot.
(1)
This application must be completed by the voter, the voter's attending physician and the voter's representative (a relative or another registered voter from the same precinct).
(2) The completed application may be submitted in person at 69 W Washington, 8th Floor or by email to [email protected]
(3) The voter's representative will be responsible for picking up the ballot at 69 W. Washington, 8th Floor, delivering the ballot to the voter, and also returning the voted ballot to 69 W. Washington, 8th Floor.
(4) If the voter's application form was submitted by email, the ORIGINAL signed and notarized application form must be submitted with the returned ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
By law, a Vote By Mail ballot cannot by submitted by email or fax.