*The information we’re providing below is for the Illinois primary election, and will be updated in the future with information on the GENERAL ELECTION on November 3rd.
Stay tuned!
2026 Voter Mobilization Toolkit
Quick Reference: Important Dates to Know
IN ILLINOIS:
- March 12th: Deadline to request a mail-in or absentee ballot. (Requests must be received by this date. You can apply online.)
- NOTE: The USPS has new rules for how mail is postmarked, which could impact your mail-in ballot. Learn about those rules.
- March 16th: Last day to vote early in Illinois. Find your early voting location.
- March 17th: ELECTION DAY. In-person voting only. Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. Find your polling place.
- Last day for grace period registration at designated locations. Find a location.
- Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by this date, or returned in person to a drop box by 7:00 p.m. Find a drop box location.
- March 17th: Last day for mail-in ballots to be received. (They must be postmarked on or before March 17th.)
Get Registered, and Make Sure You Know Where to Vote!
Register to vote AND make sure you know where to vote! 2026 is an important year for our democracy and our individual participation is key in determining the political landscape of our country for the next four to ten years. If you’ve registered to vote and still need to cast your ballot and/or are eager to do more to ensure that other people’s voices are represented, this resource guide was made especially for you!
Illinois’ deadline to register online is March 1st at 11:59 p.m. CT. If you miss the online deadline, you can still register in person through Election Day at designated locations.
Know Your Rights at the Voting Booth!
Voters have special rights at the polls that are important to be aware of in case any of them are challenged.
- The Right to Vote Free of Intimidation
- Federal law (18 U.S. Code Section 594) prohibits the intimidation of voters and can result in prison time.
- The right to vote by provisional ballot if your name is not on the list of registered voters
- The right to vote with accommodations
- Efforts to protect the voting rights of people with disabilities has led to accessible polling places that meet the American Disabilities Act requirements and “curbside voting.’’ But not everyone is in favor of these accommodation, so it’s best to check the rules in your state.
- The right to vote after the polls close
- If you’re in line when a polling place closes and you still want to vote, stay put.
- The right to re-vote
- If you make a mistake, like voting for the unintended candidate or voting or more than one person for a single office, ask a pollster for help. Replacement ballots are available.
- The right to vote in your native language
- Voters who do not wish to vote in English (e.g. English may be a second language) can receive assistance at the polls by bringing a friend or relative. Under the Voting Rights Act, some counties are required to provide bilingual assistance to voters in the language they speak.
Anyone with voting issues can call, chat or text the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE! Spanish speakers can call or text 888-VE-Y-VOTA, for Asian Languages contact 888-API-VOTE, and for help in Arabic contact 844-YALLA-US.
In Most States, Including Illinois, You Can Vote Early
Most states allow early voting, but the rules vary.
- In Illinois, early voting for the 2026 primary election began in most places on February 5th. However, Cook County is different.
- In the City of Chicago, early voting begins February 12th at the Voting Supersite at 191 N. Clark, and at the Board of Elections at 69 W. Washington. Early voting will begin at additional Chicago locations on March 2nd.
- For suburban Cook County voters, early voting starts at Cook County Circuit Courthouses and at the Clerk’s Office at 69 W. Washington in Chicago on February 12th, and at additional locations on March 2nd.
March 16th is the last day to vote early in Illinois.
If you live outside of Illinois, this website provides information on whether early voting is available in your state. You can also check the website for your state’s board of elections.
Want to Vote By Mail? Requested A Mail-In Ballot But Haven't Voted Yet?
Many states allow you to vote by mail. In Illinois, the deadline to request a mail-in ballot in Illinois is March 12th. Get information on requesting a mail-in ballot in Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago. If you live outside of Illinois, click here to find out if your state allows you to vote by mail.
In Illinois, your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 17th, 2026. Rules in other states vary, and in many states your ballot must be received before the close of polls on Election Day. Make sure to check your state board of elections.
NOTE: USPS delays could mean that, even if your ballot is postmarked in time, it may not be received in time to be counted, so we encourage you to explore the options below to ensure your vote is counted!
- Turn in your ballot at your nearest drop off box. Live in Illinois? Find a drop off location near you.
- If you have already received your mail ballot, take it with you to an early voting site or your polling place on Election Day and surrender it to an election judge. Your mail ballot will be voided, and you will receive a regular ballot.
- If you have not yet received your mail ballot, you will be asked to sign an affidavit certifying you have not received your ballot. You will then be issued a regular ballot.
- If you received your mail ballot but lost it, you may sign an affidavit certifying you have not yet voted in this election. You will then be issued a provisional ballot.”
NEW RULE ALERT:
USPS has changed the way that mail is postmarked. Mail will now be postmarked on the day it is processed, NOT the day it is dropped in the mail. That means your mail-in ballot could be invalidated, even if you drop it in the mail before the March 17th deadline.
- Complete and mail your ballot as soon as possible, several days before the deadline.
- You should go into your post office and ask the clerk to postmark your ballot at the counter.
Don't Get REJECTED: Mistakes to Avoid When Voting By Mail
According to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, the top reasons why ballots get rejected are missing signatures, unverified signatures, or late arrivals.
To avoid these errors:
- Read all the directions on the ballot.
- Help family and friends navigate the ballot.
- Return your ballot ASAP!
- Spread the word!
Getting De-Registered is a Thing, Make Sure it Doesn’t Happen to You.
In 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that states may kick people off voting rolls if they skip a few elections and fail to respond to a notice from election officials. To avoid being told on the day of elections that you’ve been kicked off the rolls because you missed a piece of mail, check your voter registration status and that of others!
Spread the word using the social media post we created specifically for this action!
Educate Others About the Candidates and Issues on the Ballot
We can’t underestimate the important role local leaders play in shaping our everyday lives. There are plenty of ballot lookup tools you and others can use when going through the ballot from top to bottom, such as Ballot Pedia, BallotReady, and Vote 411.
Also, make sure you know about any ballot measures and advisory questions you may have the opportunity to vote on. Then share those websites to help others you know get educated on their candidates and the issues, too!
Spread the Word With our Digital Outreach Toolkit!
Make sure your friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues have all the information THEY need to cast their ballots. Spread the word with our digital outreach toolkit.
We Hope this Guide Helps You Prioritize and Protect Democracy!
Completed one or more of the above recommendations? Congratulations!
Celebrate this accomplishment by sharing with your friends and family on social media.
