Primary primer

Starting today, Illinois voters can cast an early ballot ahead of the 2022 primary elections on June 28. From U.S. senator to Cook County board commissioner, there are races on all levels of government between both parties to keep an eye out for. 

Here’s what to know before heading to the polls. 

Where can I register to vote? 

You can register to vote online or at various locations throughout the city, including the Cook County Clerk’s office, city clerk, driver’s license facility, or through any certified deputy registrar. You can also register to vote at any of the early voting sites. 

What do I need to register to vote? 

You need to present two forms of identification, at least one of which shows your current address. 

When is the deadline for voter registration? 

Illinois voters have until June 12, 2022, to register to vote online before the primary elections. The deadline for in-person registration before the primary election is May 31, 2022. 

Which seats are up for election? 

Many! At the federal level, Illinois voters will choose candidates for the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. Statewide, Illinois voters will choose candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller, treasurer, state senate and state house of representatives. 

In Cook County, voters will choose candidates for board president, board of commissioners, board of review, assessor, sheriff, clerk, treasurer, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District board, and circuit court judges. 

How do I know which districts I’m in? (or who are my current representatives?) 

You can use this lookup tool from the Illinois State Board of Elections website to find which legislative district you’re in. (Judicial subcircuit districts TBD.) 

Who are the candidates? 

A full list of the candidates is available on the Illinois State Board of Elections website

There are also nonpartisan voting guides that you can take to the polls with you including the League of Women Voters’s guide and Injustice Watch’s judicial guide. Girl, I Guess also has a progressive voter guide available. 

Where can I early vote? 

Beginning May 26, Chicago voters can cast an early ballot at the Chicago Board of Elections Supersite at 191 N. Clark from Monday through Fridays between 9 AM and 6 PM, Saturdays from 9 AM to 5 PM, and Sundays from 10 AM to 4 PM. 

Early voting  in all 50 wards will start on June 13, 2022. See locations here.


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