Good evening neighbors,

Now that March is officially upon us, we wanted to remind you of the upcoming primary election scheduled on Tuesday, March 17. In this special edition of the newsletter, you will see resources for early voting, voting locations, and more helpful tips to make sure your vote is counted. Voting is an essential part of any democracy, and it is imperative that everyone is able to make a plan and exercise their democratic responsibility!

Primary Election March 17

March 17 Primary Election Info

A Midterm Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, March 17. Voter registration for the election is currently open, and Vote By Mail applications are now being accepted.

You can register to vote online, in person on Election Day, at an early voting site, or by mail. Click here for more information about registering to vote.

Vote-by-mail applications are now available online here. The Board of Elections will begin mailing Vote By Mail ballots in February, and you will be able to return your ballot by mail or using one of the secure drop boxes that will be in place at every early voting site.

PLEASE NOTE: You will not automatically receive a new vote-by-mail ballot unless you are already on the permanent vote-by-mail roster. If you want to vote by mail and are not on the permanent roster, you must apply again now. To join the Vote By Mail Permanent Roster, click here.

For more information about the upcoming election, visit chicagoelections.gov.

Early Voting Begins March 2 in all 50 Wards

Sample Ballots Now Available

Changes to Vote By Mail Rules

The United States Postal Service will not guarantee your Vote By Mail return ballot envelopes will be postmarked the same day that you mailed them. Any ballot postmarked after Election Day, March 17, cannot be accepted. USPS recommends voters take additional precautions and mail their completed Vote By Mail Ballot at least one week (March 10) before Election Day.

Returning your ballot close to Election Day (March 17)? You have options!

• Drop your ballot off into any of 52 Secure Drop Boxes located at all Early Voting sites in Chicago – even on Election Day!
  • Starting February 12 at the New Voting Supersite at 137 S. State St.
  • Starting March 2 at all 50 Ward Early Voting Sites across the city
• Go to the post office counter and request a manual postmark
• Deliver your ballot directly to 69 W. Washington St. – either at the First-Floor lobby drop box or in the 6th Floor office

All qualified ballots properly postmarked by Election Day (March 17) and received up to 14 days after (March 31) will be processed and counted for the 2026 Primary Election. The Chicago Board of Elections will send you an email when it receives your ballot return envelope, and again when your ballot has been processed and counted.

Please Note: Precinct polling places on Election Day do not have drop boxes. Precinct election judges cannot accept Vote By Mail ballots, and VBM ballots returned at precinct polling places will not be processed. Voters instead can use any of 51 Vote Centers open on Election Day to return their Vote By Mail ballot, including the new downtown voting Supersite at 137 S. State St. For more information, go to: https://chicagoelections.gov/voting/vote-mail

Become an Election Judge for the March 17 Primary Election