2023 Chicago Municipal Election Voter Guide

Chicago’s 2023 Municipal Run-Off Election will decide who will be the next Mayor of the City of Chicago.

AARP asked Chicago voters 50+ what issues matter most of them ahead of the 2023 Municipal Elections. Read what voters like you said: www.aarp.org/chicagovotes

Let AARP Chicago know you commit to making your voice heard in this election. Sign the pledge to be an informed voter in this election: https://action.aarp.org/secure/will-you-make-your-voice-heard-chicagos-election

En Español: Haga clic aquí para obtener informacíon sobre la eleccíon en español.

Po polsku: Informacje o wyborach w Chicago po polsku.

When is election day?

Run-off Election Day for Chicago’s 2023 Municipal Election is April 4th, 2023.

How do I register to vote?

Illinois offers several ways to register to vote, including online, by mail and in person. You also can register to vote when you apply for or renew your driver’s license or state-issued ID card online.

• Online: The deadline to register online is March 19th at 11:59 p.m. Use the state’s online voter registration portal to register, check your registration status or update an existing application. To complete your registration, you’ll need your state driver’s license or state ID card number and date of issue as well as the last four digits of your Social Security number. You also can register to vote when you apply for or renew your driver’s license or state-issued ID card online or when registering for a hunting or fishing license on the Illinois Department of Natural Resources website. 
  
• By mail:  Download, print, fill out and mail a voter registration form by Tuesday, March 7th, 2023.
  
• In-person: Applications are available at some public schools and libraries, military recruitment offices, local election authorities and county clerk offices in some jurisdictions. Contact your local election authority to find out where you can get a voter registration application in your jurisdiction.
  
• In-person at an Early Voting site: You must show two (2) forms of ID. At least one (1) ID must list your current address. Available at all Early Voting sites, including 51 sites open as Vote Centers on Election Day.
  
• In-person on Election Day:You must show two (2) forms of ID. At least one (1) ID must list your current address. You may also register at 51 Early Voting sites open as Vote Centers on Election Day.
  
• With a Deputy Registrar: Contact political parties or civic organizations to see if there is a deputy registrar near you. You must show two (2) forms of ID. At least one (1) ID must list your current address.

Can I vote before election day?

• Early voting: Early Voting in all 50 Wards of Chicago and at our two Downtown Sites for the April 4th Municipal Run-Off Election will begin Monday, March 20th and run through April 4, 2023 (Election Day).
• Please note: any voter in Chicago can vote at any Early Voting site, no matter where they live in the city. Voters can choose whatever voting site is most convenient for them, including on Election Day!

How do I vote by mail?

• Vote by mail: In Illinois, no excuse is need to vote by mail. Anyone who would like to apply to vote my mail should download and mail a form to receive a ballot by mail.
• Key dates to vote by mail before the April 4th Run-off Election:
  
  • March 2, 2023 – First day to apply to Vote By Mail on a paper form for the April 4th Municipal Run-Off Election.
  • March 6, 2023 - First day to apply to Vote By Mail online for the April 4th Municipal Run-Off Election.
  • March 17, 2023 – Earliest expected* day for Vote By Mail ballots to be mailed to voters. *subject to change
  • March 30, 2023 – Last day for the Board to receive new Vote By Mail applications.
  • April 4, 2023 – Last day for postmark on the Ballot Return Envelope if returning by mail. If a voter decides not to return the Vote By Mail ballot, the voter may submit the Vote By Mail ballot to the judges at the precinct and polling place for that voter's home address, and then cast a ballot in person. If the Vote By Mail ballot was lost or did not arrive, the voter may sign an affidavit and cast a ballot in person, also at the precinct and polling place for that voter's home address.
  • April 18, 2023 – Last day that a mailed Vote By Mail ballot (postmarked or certified April 4 or earlier) may arrive at the Election Board to be included in the count.
    

• Permanent Vote by Mail Roster: Prefer the ease and comfort of voting from home? Voters can now join a Permanent Vote By Mail Roster and have their ballots sent directly to their preferred address ahead of every election. This form must be returned no later than 5 days prior to any election by personal delivery or mailing it to: Chicago Board of Elections, 69 W. Washington St. #800, Chicago, IL, 60602.
  
  • Please note: unless you are already on the Permanent Vote By Mail Roster, you will not automatically receive a new VBM ballot for April 4th. If you want a Vote By Mail ballot, you will need to apply again.
    

What do I need to know about voting at the polls on Election Day? 

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place ON Election Day: https://www.chicagoelections.gov/en/your-voter-information.html

Do I need identification to vote?

Only if you do same-day registration – registering and voting on Election Day. In that case you’ll need two forms of ID, such as a driver’s license, a state ID card or Social Security card (at least one ID needs to  show your current address). Other acceptable IDs include copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address. Your signature is considered your ID and is all you will need if you vote at a polling station on Election Day.

Also…

• AARP asked Chicago voters 50+ what issues matter most of them ahead of the 2023 Municipal Elections. Read what voters like you said: www.aarp.org/chicagovotes
• En Español: Para obtener información para votantes en español: https://chicagoelections.gov/sp/about-the-chicago-election-board.html
• Po polsku: Informacje dla wyborców po polsku: https://chicagoelections.gov/po/about-the-chicago-election-board.html
• Stay updated on the 2023 election at www.aarp.org/IL
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at www.aarp.org/IL