Where you can go to vote early
Early voting expanded in suburban counties Monday with dozens of locations that will be open until Election Day on March 15.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=zqGX-X3zPY5w.k5BhqKJYM7dMRegistered voters can cast their ballots at any of the voting locations in their county. Residents who would like to register during the grace period and vote the same day should check with their county clerk's office.
On the map above, you can find an early voting location that's close to you. Clicking on a location will give its specific address and, in some cases, hours.
"Early voting has proved to be a success. In hectic times, this option for voters is very, very popular," said Cook County Director of Elections Noah Praetz.
Illinois residents were able to vote in a few locations as early as Feb. 4. Mail ballots have been available for weeks as well, and thousands have voted by mail already.
But Monday brought a significant expansion of in-person options for voters. Many early voting restrictions were lifted in 2005, allowing for registered voters to cast ballots before Election Day without having to provide an excuse.
Voting early gives people the chance to cast a ballot if they know March 15 will be a hassle for them. But once a ballot is cast, it can't be taken back.
In a race for president where candidates could still drop out before Illinois' primary date, voting early has its perils.
In suburban Cook County, 5,081 people had already voted as of 2 p.m. Monday. Praetz said that in the 2008 primary election, more than 50,000 people participated in early voting.
"The number of early voters always peaks in the final days of early voting and as we get much closer to Election Day," said Marisel Hernandez, chairwoman of the Chicago Board of Elections Commissioners.