Early voting and mail-in balloting have officially launched in Chicago for the 2026 general election, with residents heading to the polls to decide a wide range of contests including the first-ever full Chicago Board of Education election.
The line at the Chicago Voting Supersite on 137 S. State St. was already forming Thursday morning, marking the official start of early voting for the 2026 general election. Among the first to cast a ballot was 30-year-old Justin Labonte. who has made it a point to never miss an election since he turned 18.
“Since I turned 18 I haven’t missed an election, and I definitely don’t want this to be the first,” said Labonte, a resident of the West Elsdon neighborhood.
As of Thursday, the Chicago Voting Supersite and the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners office at 69 W. Washington St., 6th floor, are open for in-person voting. Mail-in voting has also commenced across the city. This cycle brings a significant shift in local governance. as voters will select an entirely new Chicago Board of Education. including the board president.
Beyond the school board, the ballot is crowded with high-stakes contests. Voters will decide races for U.S. Senate. Congress. governor of Illinois. attorney general. comptroller. treasurer. and secretary of State. as well as seats in the Illinois General Assembly. Cook County residents will also vote for the County Board president and commissioners. while voters in neighboring counties will face their own set of local candidates.
Marisel Hernández. president of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners. addressed concerns regarding voter safety during a morning press conference. Amid community fears regarding the potential presence of federal immigration agents. Hernández emphasized that the board is coordinating with local. state. and federal public safety agencies to protect the integrity of the polling places.
“We are also very prepared to go to court if necessary to enforce federal and state laws. ” Hernández said. noting that legal protections against voter intimidation. threats. and coercion are firmly in place. “I hope voters realize the issues, whether they are for or against them. I hope voters get out and express their views through the ballot.”.
For many. the urgency to vote stems from a sense of civic duty and the belief that every ballot serves as a shield for those who cannot participate. Labonte. raised in a predominantly immigrant community in southwest Chicago. views his vote as a responsibility to others. including children and non-citizens. Other voters. such as 40-year-old Alex Birchmeier of Old Town. see the election as a critical moment to ensure local voices are heard and to keep federal powers in check.
For 80-year-old Patricia Tennison of Lincoln Park, early voting is a practical way to ensure her voice is counted regardless of last-minute obstacles. She expressed a desire for leaders who will hold the Trump administration accountable, adding that “the numbers count.”
Historically, Chicago midterm turnout fluctuates between 48% and 52%, though 2018 saw a surge to 60%. As the city navigates this latest cycle. officials are encouraging residents to utilize early voting windows to avoid Election Day complications. For Labonte, the message is simple: “Vote early, vote in person, and get informed about what is on the ballot.”.
Chicago elections early voting 2026 midterms Chicago Board of Education Illinois politics