Chicago Area Election Essentials

Find essential resources for voting in the Tuesday, November 4, 2008 General Presidential Election.

Voter Information

• Chicago Area Polling Places
  Find your polling place if you are a resident of Chicago, suburban Cook County, or one of the five collar counties.
• Illinois Voter Rights
  Learn what your voting rights are and what to do if you believe they have been violated.
• What to Do if You Encounter Problems Voting in IL
  Find out who to contact if you run into problems voting on Election Day in Illinois.
• How to Vote Early
  Anyone who is registered to vote in Illinois can vote early. Learn more about how to do that in Chicago and suburban Cook County, IL. Early voting runs from October 13 through October 30, 2008 for the November 4, 2008 General Presidential Election.
  
• Important Tip for Early Voting in Chicago
  A reader who voted early recommends that every early voter in Chicago download a sample copy of their ballot before going. Learn a quick way of doing that.
• How to Vote Absentee
  You do not need an excuse or reason to vote early, but you do to vote absentee. Learn about voting absentee here.

Ballots - County, State, and Federal Offices

• IL Judge Recommendations by County
  The Illinois State Bar Association recommends judges for the upcoming General Election. You can print out recommendations based on your ballot.
• Illinois Ballot - Call for a State Constitutional Convention
  All Illinois voters will be asked to vote on the call for a State Constitutional Convention. Find out what that means here.
• Illinois Ballot - Pros and Cons of Voting for or Against the Call for a State Constitutional Convention
  Find helpful and non-partisan information about the implications of a yes or no vote on this ballot question.
• Illinois Ballot - Sample Ballot of the Call for a State Constitutional Convention
  See what the Constitutional Convention will look like on your ballot.
• Illinois Ballot - President of the United States
  You know Obama and McCain are on the ballot, but did you realize there will be five other candidates too?
  
• Illinois Ballot - U.S. Senate Ballot
  Dick Durbin is running for re-election.
  
• Cook County Ballot - Cook County State's Attorney
  This sample ballot includes a job description as well.

Register to Vote - Chicago and Cook County, IL

• Voter Eligibility
  Do you meet the criteria to be eligible to vote in Illinois?
  
• Register to Vote
  Learn how to register to vote. For the November 4, 2008 General Election, you need to register to vote by October 7, 2008.
  
• Voter Registration Grace Period
  Did you blow the deadline to register to vote? There is a two-week grace period. Learn more about how to register under the grace period here.
  
• Confirm Your Voter Registration
  Go here to confirm that you are registered to vote in Cook and the collar counties.

Additional Resources for Cook County, IL Voters

• List of Cook County Clerk Offices
  
• Cook County Clerk's Official Election Site
  
• Chicago Board of Elections Official Site
  
• Illinois State Board of Elections Official Site