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2026 Elections
How to Vote in Illinois: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Illinois for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Illinois's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 28 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Sep 24, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- 5 days before Election Day (mail/electronic); day before (in-person)
- Polls Close
- 7 p.m. CT
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your Illinois voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
- 1
Register to vote online
16 days before if registering online Availability and locations of same-day and Election Day registration vary by county.
Official source →See rule
- 2
Register to vote by mail
28 days before Election Day Availability and locations of same-day and Election Day registration vary by county.
Official source →See rule
- 3
Same-day registration
Same-day registration is available during early voting and on Election Day.
Official source →Nov 7, 2028
- 4
Early voting opens
40 days before (temporary sites); 15 days before (permanent sites)
Official source →See rule
- 5
See rule
- 6
Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your Illinois Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Illinois's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View Illinois's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
On the ballotThe November matchup: Don Tracy (R) vs Juliana Stratton (D).
Illinois Supreme Court
Not this cycleNo Illinois Supreme Court seat is up in 2028. Local judges may be on your ballot too. How Illinois chooses its judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at Illinois's official election site.
Find your Illinois representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Illinois
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 28 days before Election Day. Registering online or by mail follows a different rule: 16 days before if registering online.
Illinois also allows same-day registration during early voting and on Election Day.
Availability and locations of same-day and Election Day registration vary by county.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Illinois's official site.
Early Voting in Illinois
Early voting opens ≈ September 24, 2026 — 40 days before (temporary sites); 15 days before (permanent sites). It runs through Day before Election Day.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Illinois's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Illinois
Any registered voter in Illinois may request a mail ballot — no excuse required. Request deadline: 5 days before Election Day (mail/electronic); day before (in-person).
Return rule: Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received within 14 days
Track your ballot: use the multi-county ballot lookup to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted. Cook County’s tracker. Illinois has no statewide tracker; counties run their own.
Details and request forms are at Illinois's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Illinois
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
See the full list of accepted ID at Illinois's official election site.
Poll Hours in Illinois
Polls are open until 7 p.m. CT on November 7, 2028.
See how Illinois's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Illinois's official election site.
When Illinois Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: County election authorities — by about November 24, 2026. Within 21 days of the election.
- Statewide: State Board of Elections — December 4, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. Deadline for the state canvass to begin; certification follows.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Illinois?
28 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx.
Can I vote early in person in Illinois?
Yes. Early voting opens around September 24, 2026 (40 days before (temporary sites); 15 days before (permanent sites)) and runs through Day before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in Illinois?
No identifying document is requested to vote in person; the state verifies identity by other means, typically a signature match.
When do polls close in Illinois?
Polls close 7 p.m. CT on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in Illinois?
Request a ballot (no excuse needed) — 5 days before Election Day (mail/electronic); day before (in-person). Postmarked on or before Election Day; must be received within 14 days
Is it too late to register to vote in Illinois?
28 days before Election Day Confirm at https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx.
How do I track my mail ballot in Illinois?
Use the multi-county ballot lookup (https://wheresmyballot.com/?state=illinois&view=results) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted. Cook County’s tracker: https://cookcountyvbmtracking.com/. Illinois has no statewide tracker; counties run their own.
Where can I see a sample ballot for Illinois?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at Illinois's official election site (https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx).