Mail-in votes for Chicago mayor up nearly 10-fold

Chicagoans are exponentially voting from home in the upcoming mayoral elections. Early voting is now available in all 50 wards, with 10 days left to seek a mail-in ballot.

Early voting for the Chicago mayoral election is in full swing but vote-by-mail applications close in 10 days.

Chicagoans have taken full advantage of voting by mail from the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Compared to this time in 2019, mail-in voting is up nearly 10-fold.

Besides nearly 38,000 completed mail-in ballots being received, the election board has received over 200,000 applications from voters seeking mail-in ballots.

Starting Feb. 13, all 50 wards had in-person early voting locations as well as the Chicago Board of Elections Supersite at 191 N. Clark St., and board offices, Sixth Floor, 69 W. Washington St. All are open through Election Day, Feb. 28.

Online and in-person vote-by-mail applications close on Feb. 23. If you change your mind and want to vote in person, you can bring your mail-in ballot to your polling place and exchange it for a traditional ballot.

Choosing permanent vote-by-mail status allows Illinoisans to automatically receive mail-in ballots for all future elections without having to register each year. Fill out this form by Feb. 23 to enroll. Besides being a good reminder to vote, mail ballots help prevent someone from stealing your identity to vote.

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