Get ready to vote
Registration, early voting and mail ballot deadlines for the November 3, 2026 general election, with links to your state’s official election office.
Deadlines verified October 8, 2026 · 16 days until Election Day
Compiled from NCSL, Ballotpedia, U.S. Vote Foundation and vote.gov. Always confirm with your state election office — the links below go to official state sites.
Find your state
Enter your ZIP code or choose a state.
Illinois
Voter registration
Online
By mail
Rule: received
In person
Mail/in-person deadline Oct 6 (passed); online until Oct 18; grace-period registration Oct 7–Nov 3
Same-day registration
Yes — Grace-period registration 27 days before through Election Day
Early voting
Thu, Sep 24, 2026 – Mon, Nov 2, 2026temporary locations from Sep 24; permanent from Oct 19
Absentee / mail ballot
Request deadline
Rule: received · by mail/electronic; in-person by 2026-11-02; no excuse required
Return deadline
Rule: postmarked · postmarked by Election Day and received within 14 days
Mail ballot hasn't arrived?
- Check its status with your state's ballot tracker: Track your ballot.
- Contact your county or local election office, or the Illinois election office.
- Ask that office about your options, such as voting in person or casting a provisional ballot instead.