Presidential Election: November 3, 2020

Presidential Election: November 3, 2020

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 Be an informed voter.  Learn what's on your ballot.  


Key Dates

  • Sept. 24  |  Election Board begins to send out Vote by Mail ballots
  • Oct. 1  |  Early Voting & Registration opens at the Loop Super Site
  • Oct. 14  |  Early Voting & Registration opens in all 50 wards
  • Oct. 18  |  Last day for online voter registration
  • Oct. 29  |  Last day to apply for Vote By Mail ballot
  • Nov. 3  |  Election Day (6 am–7 pm)

Check your registration: Even if you think you are a registered voter, it is quick and easy to confirm by checking here. If you aren't registered, learn how to register. 

How to Vote

Vote by Mail 

All registered voters in Chicago are eligible to vote by mail. You can apply online or by mail. Check out our step-by-step guide to voting by mail.

We encourage all Chicagoans to return their ballot ASAP to a secured collection box rather than mailing it in, especially in the two weeks before Election Day.

  • June 16  |  Applications for Vote By Mail ballots open
  • September 24  |  Election Board begins to send out Vote by Mail ballots
  • October 29  |  Last day to apply for Vote By Mail ballot (we advise applying long before this)
  • November 3 |  Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day

Vote Early

If you are unable to vote on Election Day or just want to skip the lines, vote early. Find an early voting location. Early voting ballots are final. You can also register to vote at every early voting site.

  • October 1  |  Early Voting & Registration opens at the Loop Super Site (191 N. Clark)
  • October 14  |  Early Voting & Registration opens in all 50 wards

Vote on Election Day — Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Find your voting location. The location of your polling place may have changed. Polling place hours are 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m., you are entitled to vote.

No ID is required to vote in your home precinct on Election Day unless you are voting for the first time and have registered by mail without verification. ​

For more information, please visit the Chicago Board of Elections website.
  

Research Your Ballot

Illinois Voter Guide

Use the nonpartisan Illinois Voter Guide to find your ballot, learn about candidates, opt-in for election reminders, find your polling place, and save and print your ballot to take with you to the polls! 
 

WTTW Voter Guide

The WTTW Voter Guide guide has information recorded two-minute video presentations by the candidates for US Senate, US representatives, Cook County State’s Attorney, Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court, Board of Review (1st District) and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. 

Vote for Judges

Need help voting for judges this season? VoteForJudges.org reports the results of 13 bar groups, which receive information about and evaluate candidates’ performances and recommend whether he or she is qualified to be, or remain, a judge. Evaluations for the General Election will become available on September 15.

To Be Elected

  • President and Vice President of the United States
  • United States Senator (statewide for a 6-year term)
  • Representatives in Congress (one in each district for a 2-year term)
  • State Senators (for a 2-year term) in these districts that are partially or entirely in the City of Chicago: 1, 4, 7, 10, 11, 13, 16, 28
  • Representatives in the General Assembly (one in each district for a 2-year term)
  • Commissioners of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (3 to be elected for 6-year terms)
  • Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County (countywide for a 4-year term)
  • State's Attorney of Cook County (countywide for a 4-year term)
  • Commissioner of the Board of Review of Cook County (District 1 only)
  • Illinois Supreme Court, Illinois Appellate Court, Cook County Circuit and Cook County Subcircuit Judges to fill vacancies

To Be Decided

  • Proposed Fair-Tax Amendment to the Illinois Constitution on whether to allow varying income-tax rates based on income levels
    • LWVIL recommends a YES vote on this amendment.
  • Three advisory (non-binding) citywide referenda:
    • “Should the City of Chicago act to ensure that all the City's community areas have access to broadband Internet?" Yes or No 
    • "In creating its City-wide plan for continued growth and sustainability, should the City of Chicago place equal focus on the goals of resiliency, equity, and diversity?"Yes or No
    • "Should the State of Illinois restrict the sale or possession of firearms that have been defined as assault weapons or of magazines that can hold more than a certain number of rounds of ammunition?" Yes or No
  • Retention of Judges