Where you vote in Chicago is determined by where you live. The city is broken up into wards according to your address. You can contact the Chicago Cook County Board of Elections to get your polling place.

Voters registered in the City of Chicago may use any Early Voting site in the city, regardless of where the voters live. Early Voting for the November 6, 2012 General Election will be offered from Monday, October 22 through Saturday, November 3.


Voters don't need reasons or excuses to use Early Voting, but voters do need to present government-issued photo identification to use Early Voting. Here is a list of Early Voting locations in Chicago. All 51 locations will be open daily through Saturday, November 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note that ballots cast in Early Voting are final. After casting ballots in Early Voting, voters may not return to amend, change, or undo ballots for any reasons. It is a felony to vote more than once, or to attempt to vote more than once, in the same election.

For citizens who are qualified to vote in the General Election but who missed the standard October 9, 2012 voter-registration deadline, there is a safety net. Every day through Saturday, November 3, voters may register, update their address, or file name changes during the "Grace Period." Note: During the "Grace Period," you must register in person, and then immediately vote during that same visit. A Grace Period voter must present two forms of identification, at least one of which shows the current address.

Acceptable forms of identification include a driver's license, state identification card, passport, current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck stub, or other government document that shows your name and address. Those who register in the Grace Period program cannot use Early Voting, Absentee Voting or Voting on Election Day in the Precinct Polling Place. (Worth reading: November 2012 Events in Chicago and History of Ballot Machines)

Location and hours for Grace Period Registration & Voting is Chicago Election Board, 69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor, October 10 through November 3, 2012, Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sundays: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Check your registration status.

Online ballot access and marking system for qualified military/overseas voters are available for the November 6, 2012 General Election With this system, any eligible military/overseas voter with a valid Federal Post Card Application on file with the Chicago Board of Elections is able to log in to access and mark his or her ballot. After completing this process, the voter then may print out the ballot and the supporting documents to mail the ballot and documents to the Chicago Board of Elections. Click here for online ballot access. (Worth reading: Why Americans Don't Vote and Counting Votes on Election Day).

Worried Hurricane Sandy might postpone the presidential election on November 6, 2012?