Suburban Cook County residents in Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe and Northfield can begin early voting Wednesday, Oct. 7, when six locations open across the county, including the Skokie Courthouse at 5600 Old Orchard Road.
That date also marks the start of same-day voter registration in Illinois, giving unregistered North Shore residents a final window to sign up and vote in one trip. The Nov. 3 general election features races for governor, Congress, state legislature, school board and judicial seats that will land directly on New Trier Township doorsteps.
Key dates
- Tuesday, Oct. 6: Last day for regular voter registration by mail.
- Wednesday, Oct. 7: Early voting begins at six suburban Cook County locations, including the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, which serves New Trier and Northfield townships. The Cook County Clerk's office lists all six sites.
- Sunday, Oct. 18: Last day for online voter registration.
- Monday, Oct. 19: Expanded early voting opens at 56 suburban locations and continues through Monday, Nov. 2.
- Thursday, Oct. 29: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot.
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: Election Day. Polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. votes.
Mail voting: what changed
The U.S. Supreme Court on Sept. 14 blocked the Trump administration from imposing new Postal Service restrictions on mail ballots. In a brief unsigned order, the court found the government unlikely to succeed on the merits of its challenge, as Votebeat reported. Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented.
Mail voting will function the same way it has in previous elections. The Postal Service recommends mailing ballots at least seven days before Nov. 3. Illinois law allows mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to two weeks later.
Voters who already received a mail ballot but prefer to vote in person should bring the ballot to have it canceled. The Skokie Courthouse at 5600 Old Orchard Road serves as both an Election Day vote center and a mail ballot drop box location for New Trier Township residents, according to the Cook County Clerk.
Check your registration
Voters can verify their registration status at the Illinois State Board of Elections website. To find a specific polling place or view a sample ballot, visit the Cook County Clerk's elections page.
