For most of the Chicago area, early voting is set to get underway later this week for the 2026 general election.
Under Illinois state law, early voting can begin as soon as 40 days before the election, and nearly every county in the Chicago area will begin allowing voters to cast ballots on Thursday.
The city of Chicago and suburban Cook County have different dates, but will begin allowing early voting in coming days.
Here’s everything you need to know.
City of Chicago
Early voting will get underway on Thursday, October 1 at the city’s new early voting supercenter, locating at 137 South State Street. Early votes can also be cast on that date at the Chicago Board of Elections offices at 69 West Washington Street.
More sites will go online beginning on October 19 in all 50 Chicago wards. Information can be found on the CBOE’s website.
Cook County
For the upcoming election, suburban Cook County voters can begin casting ballots at six different early voting centers beginning on Wednesday, October 7.
Additional sites will go online beginning on Monday, October 19, and a full list of those sites can be found here.
DeKalb County
According to the DeKalb County Clerk’s Office, early voting will kick off Thursday at the Legislative Center in the Gathertorium, located at 200 North Main Street in Sycamore.
More voting sites will go online beginning on Monday, October 19.
A full list of those sites can be found here.
DuPage County
Voters in DuPage County can cast ballots at any of five early voting locations beginning Thursday, according to officials.
Additional sites will go online on Monday, October 19, and a full list can be found here.
Grundy County
Early voting will open on Thursday at the Grundy County Courthouse, located at 111 East Washington Street in Morris.
Additional sites will go online in October, and more information can be found here.
Kane County
Voters can cast early ballots beginning Thursday at the Kane County Clerk’s Office, located in suburban Geneva, and at the Aurora Satellite Office.
More sites will open on Monday, October 19 across the county, and a full list can be found here.
Kankakee County
Early voting will be available beginning on Thursday at the Kankakee County Clerk’s Office, located at 189 East Court Street in Kankakee.
Additional early voting opportunities will take place in Bourbonnais and Manteno beginning in October, and you can find more information here.
Kendall County
Early voting will get underway at the Kendall County Office of the County Clerk, located at 502 South Main Street in Yorkville.
Additional sites will go online on Monday, October 19, and more information can be found here.
Lake County
Early voting for the general election begins on Thursday at the Lake County Main Courthouse, located at 18 North County street in Waukegan.
Additional early voting sites open in numerous suburbs on Monday, October 19.
More information can be found here.
LaSalle County
According to officials, early voting will be available at the LaSalle County Governmental Complex, located at 707 East Etna Road in Ottawa beginning on Thursday.
More information on hours can be found here.
McHenry County
Early voting will begin at the McHenry County Election Center, located at 410 South Eastwood Drive in Woodstock, beginning on Thursday.
Early voting sites will open at six more locations beginning on Monday, October 19.
A full list of early voting sites can be found here.
Will County
The Will County Clerk’s Office, located at 302 North Chicago Street in Joliet, will open for early voting on Thursday.
A slew of additional sites will open on Monday, October 19, and more information can be found here.
