Our VOTES Matter

Every election is unique, and there is increased confusion over the election process.  That is why we have established a central point for disabled and senior voters of Illinois, which is needed now more than ever.

Upcoming Chicago Mayoral Election

The following is a list of all of the mayoral candidates for Chicago’s April 4th runoff election, listed in alphabetical order by last name. Please note that Mayor is a non-partisan position, and any party affiliations listed below are only noted to provide a full representation of the candidates’ current congressional titles. All candidates are running for mayor without specific party affiliation.

  • Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson, 1st District
  • Paul Vallas

Disability Vote IL

Welcome to www.disabilityvoteil.org! We are weeks away from the next election, and we are getting ready to cast our votes. As people with disabilities and senior citizens, we have always had difficulties with accessible voting.

We trust that this guide will help you vote more easily.

a blue sky with the American flag flying above the flag of the State of Illinois.

Are you #VoteReady?

You only need to meet a few simple requirements to be eligible to vote in the State of Illinois. Find out if you are #VoteReady!

A white man’s fingers holding a fountain pen, making a check mark in a box marked Yes under the word Vote.

Register to Vote

There are many ways to register to vote—choose what works for you! Follow our guide and get registered today!

A Black man faces us, wearing glasses, a surgical mask and latex gloves, holding a pen and a piece of paper. He wears a “Vote” sticker. A Black woman wearing a surgical mask stands in profile behind him, casting a vote at a voting booth. There is an American flag behind them and printed on the side of the voting booth.

Vote by Mail

Vote by Mail and ACCESSIBLE Voting by Mail is easy and you can request a vote by mail ballot through email, mail, or in person.

Disability Vote Illinois’ Mission

A round emblem with the word Disability in red above a central disc with the script word Vote inset in a five-pointed star. Below, the word Illinois in blue.

We all deserve to have our unique perspectives heard
and we want to make sure that disabled voices are not silenced.

Our Votes Matter!!

We are a nonpartisan campaign effort to:

  • Educate the disability and senior community about voting rights and access issues.
  • Eliminate barriers to voting.
  • Promote accessibility of voting technology and polling places.
  • Increase voter turnout among people with disabilities and their allies.
  • Let elected officials know that people with disabilities and seniors are engaged, voters.
  • Encourage organizations to conduct local get-out-the-vote drives and outreach.
Fireworks exploding in a night sky over the skyline of Chicago, with reflections in Lake Michigan sparkling in the foreground.

FIVE WAYS TO REGISTER

HOW CAN I REGISTER?

Online Registration

You can register to vote (or change your address) online. Online voter registration closes 16 days before the election.

The Illinois State Board of Elections’ online voter registration system allows any new registrant to apply for a vote by mail ballot when completing online voter registration. An additional application for a vote by mail ballot will not be required if this is completed.

Automatic Voter Registration

When you visit a Secretary of State Drivers Services facility, you will be asked if you want to register to vote or update your registration. If you say yes, you have “opted-in” to Automatic Voter Registration.  

Your completed voter registration application is transmitted from Drivers Services to the Illinois State Board of Elections. You will be provided a receipt of the voter registration application. Keep the receipt until you receive your voter registration card from your local election authority.

In-Person Registration

You can register to vote in person at any of the following locations:

  • County Clerk’s Office
  • Board of Elections Office
  • City and Village Halls
  • Township Offices
  • Driver’s License Facilities

Early Registration

Illinois offers voter registration at all early voting locations in the lead-up to an election. Find early voting locations near you. 

Same-Day Registration

In Illinois, you can register on Election Day at your polling place. Find your Election Day polling place.

Make Sure You Register Early!

Register to Vote!

Click here to register to vote today!

Registration Status

Be patient. Everybody wants to make sure they are registered.

I Voted stickers on a roll, unspooling toward the bottom. The round sticker has white stars in a blue background above the words “I Voted” with red and white vertical stripes below.

VOTE TRACKING

Several Election authorities have vote tracking available online.

You can find out:

  • What is on my upcoming ballot
  • Where is my Polling Place
  • Where is My Early Voting site
  • Who are My elected Officials
  • What is My MAIL BALLOT STATUS

Vote Tracking Links for:

Cook County, IL — https://bit.ly/CookIL_VoteTrack

Chicago, IL — https://bit.ly/ChgoIL_VoteTrack

Kane (ballot tracking) — https://votekane.ballottrax.net/voter/

Kane also lists the ballot drop-off locations on their website

Peoria (ballot tracking) — https://peoriacountyvotes.ballottrax.net/voter/

For other Election districts, Contact your election authority.

Here is a list of their contact information:

LOCAL ELECTION AUTHORITIES FOR ILLINOIS

Be Careful with Your Vote By Mail Ballot

The panel of elections may reject a Vote By Mail Ballot for the following reasons:

  • The Ballot was delivered opened
  • The certification envelope contains no signature
  • The voter has already cast a Ballot
  • The person voted in person on Election Day, or
  • The person is not duly registered in the precinct.

If you register online to Vote By Mail, you will receive email notifications when:

  • Your application is accepted
  • Your ballot is mailed to you
  • The Election Board receives your Ballot Return Envelope
  • Your ballot has been processed and counted.

If you could not apply on time, did not receive your ballot, lose your ballot or Ballot Return Envelope, or cannot get your Ballot Return Envelope in the mail by Election Day, call 312-269-7967 on or before five days before Election Day to alert the Election Board that you have not received your ballot (Chicago). Or, you may use Early Voting, or cancel your mail ballot and instead receive and cast an Election Day ballot in person on Election Day at your designated polling place. If you have received a mail ballot but opt to vote in person, you must surrender your Vote By Mail ballot at the election site.

Register to Vote!

Click here to register to vote today!

Registration Status

Be patient. Everybody wants to make sure they are registered.

EARLY VOTING

Those who wish to vote in person can avoid crowds by using early voting sites, which will be open earlier than usual this year.  

The following guidelines were established in 2020. These will be updated as we get more current information. Illinois Department of Public Health Guidance for Early Voting and Election Day Health and Safety Protocols:  Wear your mask, stay six feet away from others as much as possible, and thoroughly cleanse your hands after touching public spaces. We need to protect each other to the best of our ability, and if voting in person is the easiest for you, please take some extra steps to protect yourself and those around you.

There are currently no required mitigation strategies in place to prevent COVID-19 transmission, but the Cook County Department of Public Health still recommends wearing a mask indoors and staying up to date with all COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.

Curbside Voting Election authorities may establish curbside voting for individuals to cast a ballot during early voting. At least two election judges, from opposite parties, are to be designated per vehicle, and the voter must have the option to mark the Ballot without interference from the election judges.

DO YOU HAVE SOMEONE TO HELP YOU VOTE?

Choose a family member, a friend, or someone you trust to support you to answer questions about registration and voting.  After all, WE ALL NEED SUPPORT!!! 

A man’s hands holding six lapel buttons that say “Vote” between red and blue stripes with white stars. The man has tattoos on his visible arm.

Make sure you SIGN your ballot envelope!

Register to Vote!

Click here to register to vote today!

Registration Status

Be patient. Everybody wants to make sure they are registered.

A silhouetted profile view of a man’s hand placing a ballot in the ballot box.

Election Day Voting

The Center for Disease Control established the following guidelines in 2020. They are no longer required, but strongly recommended. Wear your mask, stay six feet away from others as much as possible, and thoroughly cleanse your hands after touching public spaces. We need to protect each other to the best of our ability, and if voting in person is the easiest for you, please take these extra steps to protect yourself and those around you.

Curbside Voting

Election authorities may establish curbside voting for individuals to cast a ballot on Election Day. At least two election judges, from opposite parties, are to be designated per vehicle, and the voter must have the option to mark the Ballot without interference from the election judges.

In-Person Voting on Election Day

Your polling location is determined by your permanent address. You can find the location of your in-person polling place by clicking here: Click for Election Day Voting Locations:

Click for Election Day Voting Locations

 

Register to Vote!

Click here to register to vote today!

Registration Status

Be patient. Everybody wants to make sure they are registered.

Emblem of the Seal of Cook County Illinois

Cook County, IL Disabled Voter Program

If you are permanently physically incapacitated and unable to make it your polling place, you qualify to automatically receive an application for a mail ballot before every election for the next five years.  For more information, click here:  https://bit.ly/CookDisabledVtr-Applcn

Nursing Home and Hospital Voting

The County Clerk’s office conducts voting at suburban Cook County nursing homes before every election. If you are admitted to a hospital, nursing home, or rehabilitation center fourteen days or fewer before an election, you may arrange to have a ballot delivered to you at the hospital. For more information, click here: https://bit.ly/CookNursingHosp-Vtg2020

EMAIL ILLINOIS ADA VOTING ADVISORY COORDINATOR: JORDAN HOMER at JHomer@elections.il.gov.

 

 

Register to Vote!

Click here to register to vote today!

Registration Status

Be patient. Everybody wants to make sure they are registered.

Transportation to the Polls for People with Disabilities

Pace’s fixed route bus and van fleets are all accessible to people with disabilities or health conditions, and the ADA Paratransit system and various local Dial-a-Ride programs offer service that is exclusively dedicated to the five county community which includes the Chicago metropolitan area.

In addition, all fixed route buses are accessible and route information is available the Pace website:  www.Pacebus.com.

Some people with disabilities qualify for free fares on Pace, CTA and Metra.

Here’s the Link for Contact Phone numbers for paratransit in Chicago and the surrounding five county area: https://bit.ly/Pacebooking

Please be aware that Pace has reduced the $3 City of Chicago Taxi Access Program (TAP) fare to $2, effective January 1, 2023. Riders will still be responsible for any taxi fare amount over $30 and City of Chicago fees.

TAP is only available in the City of Chicago.

For more info click here:  https://bit.ly/PaceTAP

The fare was previously free on TAP, but the last day for the waived fee was December 31, 2022 (usually $3.00 per trip).

This policy is in place indefinitely. If you aren’t yet enrolled in TAP, call 1-833-PACE-TAP (833-722-3827) to order a card.

The flag of the City of Chicago rippling in front of a skyscraper building. The flag has four red six-pointed stars between two bands of light blue on a white background.

Register to Vote!

Click here to register to vote today!

Registration Status

Be patient. Everybody wants to make sure they are registered.

IMPORTANT DATES AND EVENTS

Check our calendar regularly for new announcements and activities

Wednesday

Nov 30th, 2022

First Day to apply to Vote By Mail for Chicago’s February 28th Consolidated Municipal Election and other municipalities’ Primary Elections

Thursday

Jan 19th, 2023

First Day for Vote By Mail ballots to be mailed to voters for Chicago’s Consolidated Election and other municipalities’ Primary Elections

Thursday

Jan 19th, 2023

Early Voting Begins for Chicago’s Consolidated Election and other municipalities’ Primary Elections

Tuesday

Jan 31st, 2023

Deadline for Voter Registration by Mail for February 28th Primary (excluding Chicago)

Sunday

Feb 12th, 2023

Deadline for Online Voter Registration for the February 28th Primary (excluding Chicago)

Thursday

Feb 23rd, 2023

Application Deadline (Chicago only): Last day for the Board of Elections to receive new Vote By Mail Applications & Last Day to report that you could not apply on time, did not receive your ballot, lost your ballot or Ballot Return Envelope, or cannot get your Ballot Return Envelope in the mail by Election Day to 312-269-7967

Tuesday

Feb 28th, 2023

Last day for postmark on Ballot Return Envelope if returning by mail (Chicago only)

Tuesday

Feb 28th, 2023

Election Day for Chicago’s Consolidated Municipal Election, polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday

Feb 28th, 2023

Election Day for Consolidated Primary Election, (everywhere but Chicago)- polls open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday

Mar 7th, 2023

Deadline to register to vote by mail for non-Chicago Consolidated Municipal Elections (postmarked)

Tuesday

Mar 14th, 2023

Last day that a mailed Vote By Mail ballot (postmarked or certified Feb. 28th or earlier) may arrive at the Election Board to be included in the count (Chicago only).

Sunday

Mar 19th, 2023

Deadline for Online Voter Registration

Tuesday

Apr 4th, 2023

Deadline to Register to Vote In Person

Tuesday

Apr 4th, 2023

Election Day- Consolidated Municipal Elections throughout Illinois (excluding Chicago)

Tuesday

Apr 4th, 2023

Chicago: Runoff or Supplementary Elections, if needed

Register to Vote!

Click here to register to vote today!

Registration Status

Be patient. Everybody wants to make sure they are registered.

GET INVOLVED!

Sign up to get updates on important information, dates, and activities for Illinois' disability voting community!

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Download our templates to share why voting matters to you using #DisabilityVoteIL

Our Votes Matter!

Strategy for Access Foundation NFP is a nonpartisan organization that encourages informed and active participation in disability issues. We offer the disabilityvoteil.org website as a community resource for all within the community. If you would like to support the continuation of this work please consider making a donation.