How to vote in 2023 Chicago runoff election

Early voting and voting by mail is underway in Chicago for the April 4 runoff election, including the mayoral runoff between Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson.

Click here to apply to vote by mail

Chicago voters can take the first step to choose the city’s next mayor by voting early or by mail in the Chicago runoff election on April 4.

Early, in-person voting has already started in all 50 wards of Chicago and at two Chicago vote centers. It will run through Election Day on April 4. Vote-by-mail ballots were mailed as early as March 17 to voters who have applied for the program. The vote-by-mail application remains open to until March 30.

There’s also the option of braving what the Windy City brings to your local polling place on Election Day, April 4.

Here’s everything you need to know:

How do I vote early?

Registered voters can go to the Chicago Board of Elections Supersite, 191 N. Clark St., the Board offices, 6th floor, 69 W. Washington, or all 50 wards of Chicago to vote early in the Chicago runoff election now through April 4. Chicago voters can choose any early voting site regardless of where they live in the city.

For a full list of locations for early, in-person voting, visit the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website.

What is vote by mail?

Registered voters can easily apply to vote by mail in the Chicago election here. No specific reason is required. This system offers Chicagoans a convenient way to vote and allows them to complete ballots from the comfort and privacy of their homes, with the option of researching as they vote.

Illinoisans can also choose to automatically receive mail-in ballots for all future primary and general elections with a single application, rather than having to request a ballot before each election. Chicagoans can sign up for the permanent vote-by-mail roster by filling out this simple form and mailing or returning it to Chicago Board of Elections, 69 W. Washington St., No. 800, no later than March 30.

How do I vote by mail?

The application to vote by mail in the upcoming municipal election is now open. To vote by mail, complete this short online application, or print and return a paper application to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

Applications are currently being accepted and must be received by 5 p.m., March 30.

Click here to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot.

How do I cast my vote-by-mail ballot?

Once you receive your mail-in ballot, follow all instructions to complete it. The signed and sealed ballot return envelope may be returned by mail, placed in a secured drop box at any Chicago early voting location, or by personal delivery to the Election Board, Sixth Floor, 69 W. Washington St.

Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked by April 4. If returning the mail-in ballot in person, you must deliver it to a secured drop box location at any Chicago early voting location before Election Day, or to the Election Board by the close of polls at 7 p.m., April 4.

Vote-by-mail ballots may also be surrendered to the judges at any early voting site or the precinct and polling place for that voter’s home address and exchanged for a traditional ballot so a voter can choose to cast a ballot in person.

Is voting by mail safe?

Voting by mail is secure, simple and backed by Illinoisans of all major political parties. Members of the U.S. military have used absentee voting since the American Revolution, and many Union soldiers voted by mail during the Civil War. The system allows you to track your ballot after returning it and ensures no one else uses your identity to vote on Election Day.

What are the important dates to remember?

• March 17: Earliest (expected) day for vote-by-mail ballots to be mailed to voters.
• March 20: First day of in-person, early voting.
• March 30: Last day for vote-by-mail applications to be completed online or received by the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.
• April 4: Election Day. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Last day to postmark ballot return envelopes for mail-in ballots. Last day to drop off mail-in ballots at the Election Board office, at your local polling place or at a secured drop box before polls close at 7 p.m.

Visit the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website to find your local polling place or a list of secured drop box locations.