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Starting today, registered voters in Illinois can cast an ‘early voting’ ballot for the March 15 general primary elections without having to provide a reason, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections (ISBE).

The local election authority will publish the locations for early voting and the hours for each.  Residents voting early must present a current driver’s license or a government-issued photo ID card.

Typically, voters must register 28 days in advance of an election. Check to see if you’re registered. However, Grace Period Registration extends the registration deadline.

“Registered voters may cast a ballot prior to Election Day without having to provide a reason for wanting to vote early,” says an online ISBE document. “This ballot is cast by personal appearance at the office of the election authority or at a location established by the election authority. An election authority is either a county clerk or a Board of Election Commissioner.”

Locations for early voting are usually in one of the following offices, though temporary polling places may be set up in other locations:

  • a municipal clerk’s office,
  • a township clerk’s office,
  • a road district clerk’s office,
  • a county agency office or
  • a local public agency office.

Early voting was approved by the Illinois General Assembly in 2005.

Voting by mail begins today

Also, any registered voter may apply today for a vote by mail ballot. This includes members of the armed forces or government employees (as well as spouses or dependents) serving outside the United States or who expect to be away from their residence on election day. Get more information.

Grace Period Registration

Those who use Grace Period Registration cannot participate in early voting or vote at their usual polling place on Election Day. However, depending on the local election authority, those voters will be allowed to cast their ballot after Grace Period Registration in the same location or by mail. Grace Period Registration begins 27 days before the election and ends on the day of the election.

Get more information about registration.