The first of two back-to-back election seasons is upon us. The 2026 General Election is Nov. 3, and Chicago residents can begin casting their votes on Oct. 1.
There are quite a few races on the ballot, ranging from federal offices and governor to state lawmakers and local offices. For some Chicagoans, there are ballot referendums for you to vote on, too.
One of the most talked about local races is the Chicago School Board election. For the first time, all 21 seats, including the board president, are up for election, and Chicagoans can vote on them whether they have young ones in Chicago Public Schools or not.
As for those ballot measures, some Chicagoans — based on where you live — will see questions (binding and non-binding) about a range of issues, including:
- Shall Illinois adopt the Millionaire Amendment for Property Tax Relief and Education, which would enact a 3% income tax surcharge only on millionaires and use 50% of this new revenue to provide property tax relief for residential and commercial taxpayers and 50% to improve state funding for public education?
- Should the City of Chicago restart the use of gunshot detection technology that informs first responders when gunshots are detected?
- Shall the City of Chicago pursue all lawful means to recover financial compensation from the federal government for the costs and economic harm caused by the Donald Trump administration’s violent, militarized ICE operations, including the Midway Blitz operation…?
- Shall Illinois use revenue from a surcharge on millionaires to increase funding to public schools?
- Shall governmental bodies in Illinois spend an estimated $1 billion of taxpayer money to support a quantum facility and data center on the former South Works site?
- Shall our Alderperson vote to pass a tax on big corporations that have 500 or more employees (would not apply to grocery stores or non profits), in order to fund youth jobs, public mental healthcare, and violence prevention services?
Below is a list of dates to know to vote in the 2026 Midterm Election.
How to register to vote:
- Online voter registration is available through Oct. 18.
- After Oct. 18, voters who need to register or update their address must do so in person at an Early Voting location or at the polls on Election Day.
- Click here for a checklist of forms of ID you need to bring with you to register in person.
- If you’re unsure whether you’re registered to vote, click here to find your voter information on the CBOE website.
Early voting begins at 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 1 at two downtown locations:
- The Chicago Early Voting Supersite at 137 S. State St.
- The Chicago Board of Elections (CBOE) offices at 69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor.
Early voting will expand to all 50 Chicago wards beginning Oct. 19:
- Click here to find early voting locations within each ward.
The deadline to request a Vote By Mail ballot is Oct. 29:
- If you haven’t already, Chicago residents can click here to fill out an application to request a Vote By Mail ballot.
- Vote By Mail ballots must be postmarked by the close of the Nov. 3 Election Day and returned to the Chicago Board of Elections either by the U.S. Postal Service or by dropping off the ballot in one of many CBOE dropboxes across Chicago.
- Click here for dropbox locations.
Voting on Election Day, Nov. 3:
- Polling places across all of Chicago’s 50 wards will be open for Election Day.
- Click here to find your polling place for Election Day.
- Polls are open on Election Day from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Remember: If you are in line by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, stay in line until you cast your ballot.
