Question of the day
Friday, Sep 27, 2024 - Posted by Isabel Miller
Capitol News Illinois launched its election guide yesterday…
Early voting began Thursday in Illinois, and Capitol News Illinois has launched an interactive Election Guide to help Illinoisans navigate the voting process.
Illinois gives voters 40 days prior to Election Day to cast their ballot – in most jurisdictions. Beginning Thursday, most Illinoisans can vote at their local election authority’s office – in most cases, that’s the county clerk, but for about a quarter of the state’s population it’s a city or county election commission. […]
While early voting began this week for most of the state, the same can’t be said for Chicago and the rest of Cook County. Early voting begins Oct. 3 in the city, while voting in suburban Cook County begins on Oct. 9.
On Oct. 21, early voting expands so that voters in many counties can vote at locations other than the election authority’s office. Early voting generally runs through Nov. 4.
* The Question: Do you plan to vote early (in-person or by mail)? Explain your answer please.
- JoanP - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 9:47 am:
I’ll be voting early because I will be out of town on Election Day.
- Lurker - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 9:50 am:
Yes. In person because seeing the other people on voting day and knowing theirs counts the same as mine, has nauseated me since …. 2016.
- Cool Papa Bell - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 9:51 am:
No.
In person, Election Day. Old School.
I also don’t even face a significant wait and the polling place is a mile from my home.
- Mason born - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 9:51 am:
I’ll be voting in person on election day. I always do and take my kids. I hope they’ll cone to view it as a special duty and privilege that isn’t to be taken lightly.
- Change Agent - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 9:53 am:
I vote early in person. I like the voting booth experience and the sticker. But I learned the hard way not to wait until Election Day one year when I had the flu and couldn’t drag myself to the polls. (And since COVID, I learned not to drag myself into public places when I’m sick anyway.)
- Southside Markie - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 9:55 am:
Vote Early. Not taking the chance that something will keep me from getting there on Election Day.
- Barrister's Lectern - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:01 am:
Always vote early since I am always working long hours on Election Day.
- Northsider - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:05 am:
Early, by mail.
It’s easy, and I have all the time I need to check out the myriad bar association judicial race recommendations.
- levivotedforjudy - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:06 am:
I can walk to vote early in about 4 minutes. I usually go the 2nd week it is open around 11 a.m. This is a no-brainer for me.
- RNUG - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:07 am:
Like I’m sure a number of us will be doing, Ill be working as an election judge so I generally vote early in person. Plan to do so this year also.
- Ducky LaMoore - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:09 am:
I don’t vote early unless I have to. I love going down to the firehouse and voting on election day. There is something so nostalgic about it.
- Anonymous - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:15 am:
Vote early and in-person. Not sure when, but probably by mid-October.
- Neef Jr. - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:19 am:
I vote early every election. I tend to work in the field somewhere on election day, or at least for the last 18 years or so, it just makes it easier.
- OneMan - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:19 am:
Early and in person. I might be out of town on election day and want to get it taken care of.
- TinyDancer(FKASue) - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:22 am:
I used to always vote on election day , but nowadays I vote by mail, but I deliver the ballot to the early voting site dropbox in the library instead of depending on USPS.
Precludes any severe weather event or illness from interfering with my vote.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:22 am:
I prefer to vote in person in my precinct on Election Day. Sort of a community spirit kind of vibe that I like. Traditional, as others have said. Early voting feels like a chore to be taken care of. I’ve done it before but waiting until the actual day feels right to me.
- wildcat12 - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:23 am:
Early and in-person. Probably in October. I work near downtown Springfield, so it’s very easy to run over on my lunch break. In almost all cases, I know who I’m voting for months in advance, so there’s no reason to wait and deal with Election Day lines.
- cermak_rd - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:24 am:
early in person. I don’t like standing in a line waiting until a booth is available.
- Live Wire - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:25 am:
Vote by mail. I should have my ballot Monday. Convenient for me.
- 'Lectric guitar - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:26 am:
I vote early via a trip to the county building.
My precinct tends to be frantic on election day. I found the experience of going there in person generally unpleasant and anxiety inducing.
However, I know some folks enjoy the experience and some precincts function very well. I don’t mean to “speak for the trees” here; this is just a personal preference.
- Jose Abreu's latest homerun - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:26 am:
Vote early in person. It’s there, so may as well do it early.
- FormerParatrooper - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:26 am:
Voting early. With the work schedule I have no idea where I will be on election day.
- New Day - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:28 am:
It’s our family tradition to bring the kids and vote together whenever possible.
- dtownresident - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:34 am:
In person early is the plan….kids will vote early and be out of town on election day so my wife and I will vote with them.
- West Sider - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:39 am:
Early in person. I’ll be getting out the vote elsewhere on election day.
- Lincoln Lad - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:44 am:
Vote by mail, it’s easy, and DuPage County communicates everything clearly. They tell you they’ve mailed your ballot, they tell you they’ve received your ballot, they tell you your ballot has been accepted and will be counted. All via text and email.
- Nathan H. - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:45 am:
Got the text notification that DuPage County mailed my ballot to me yesterday.
- Nathan H. - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:45 am:
Got the text notification that DuPage County mailed my ballot to me yesterday.
- Retired SURS Employee - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:48 am:
Yes! My wife and I have “early-voted” in all elections for the past 3 or 4 years.
- twowaystreet - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:51 am:
VBM, but I always take it to the polling place before or on Election Day.
Gives me the chance to look at some down ballot races and fill it out while I research the judge candidates.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 10:58 am:
Early. I got stuff to do.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:03 am:
“But I learned the hard way not to wait until Election Day”
This is why I vote early in-person. Would rather make sure to get it done and not wait until there are no more days left, if something goes wrong.
- Huh? - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:07 am:
Wondering what happens if someone had a serious medical issue that causes their signature to be significantly changed.
I guess we will find out when we try to vote.
- Suburban Mom - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:10 am:
Early and in-person; My husband and I always split up the kids and take them with us. One of my most vivid childhood memories was going with my mom to vote in those old lever machines that made the satisfying chonk, in little cubicles with ugly olive curtains that seemed like they were made from army surplus.
We want our kids to see us voting and understand it’s an important part of being an adult and a citizen of a free country.
- Bob - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:10 am:
I go in person just to keep an eye out for intimidation.
- Mamacita - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:19 am:
I’m an election judge but I vote early so my vote will count if I die before Election Day (I have no plans to die-but we’re all dying, friends)
- One Trick Pony - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:23 am:
Vote Early. Just voted this morning in Sangamon County. The voting booths are in a hallway because the county building is still under construction. Also, couldn’t help but notice the vote by mail drop box was blocked by several construction trucks. So, good luck dropping off your ballot.
- thisjustinagain - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:25 am:
I’ll vote early to avoid the Election Day crowd. I did receive e-mail from Cook County regarding vote by mail, but this time I’ll walk in to vote.
- Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:26 am:
Voted yesterday. Was the only voter in the Clerk’s office. It just too easy and the weather was perfect.
- Downstate - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:27 am:
Last election, there were people campaigning for their particular candidate as I was filling out my ballot. Others were screaming at each other. I even had someone try to steal my ballot. I stormed out of the place vowing never to vote from home again.
- Fav Human - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:29 am:
Early, in person. Usually no wait, or just a little. I like to be able to go at my convenience.
- @misterjayem - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:29 am:
I’ll get my ballot in the next few days and then return it in the county’s drop box.
It’s my only available method for 1) voting early, and 2) using paper (my preferred ballot technology).
– MrJM
- voter - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:36 am:
I’m never home on election day, so I like the vote by mail. You can take your time with the ballot in your own home. I don’t mail it back though. I drop it off in the box. I like the confirmation email saying my ballot has been received.
- Frida's boss - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:40 am:
No—Always vote on Election Day. Grab some coffee, chat with the poll watchers and workers, and see the signs crammed in front of polling places. With early voting options so prevalent, haven’t had any real lines to speak of on Election Day.
- Friendly Bob Adams - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 11:43 am:
I’m an election day guy. I enjoy the experience. To me it’s very American.
- Already voted - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 12:16 pm:
I voted early, in person, yesterday.
- @misterjayem - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 12:21 pm:
“Wondering what happens if someone had a serious medical issue that causes their signature to be significantly changed.”
Bring an I.D. to the polls.
(I didn’t think they can change it between now and election day, but I believe that you can sign a new signature card at your local election authority.)
– MrJM
- Proud Sucker - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 12:37 pm:
Early, in person at the County Clerk’s Annex. That way there is no weather/health issues that can impede me on Election Day.
- Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 12:42 pm:
Downstate for the win.
That was funny.
- Center Drift - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 12:43 pm:
No, rarely backed up and I like voting on election day. Plus just in case of a late breaking scandal I haven’t committed yet.
- SAW - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 12:49 pm:
I prefer to vote by mail. For the less prominent positions, I used to print out a cheat sheet for myself for when I went to voting booth - don’t have to worry about that when you vote from the comfort of your home.
- Dotnonymous x - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 12:59 pm:
Eagerly awaiting my mail-in ballot.
- Louis G Atsaves - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 1:18 pm:
Voting early in person. Gives me the opportunity to serve campaigns on election day and act as a poll watcher. Voting by mail was once an option, but based on some serious slippage by the U.S. Post Office in deliveries and mail pick ups, including properly addressed mail being returned and mislabeled as undeliverable, I decided to go vote in person early this cycle. Now when people tell me they never received my letter, I believe them for the first time. So much for once mailed, presumed delivered.
- Odysseus - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 1:57 pm:
I have always voted early every chance I got, and will forever more.
It’s vastly more convenient, and sadly most times there is no line.
- Scott - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 1:57 pm:
Ever since we had to wait 3+ hours to vote in the 2004 presidential election, we’ve tried to get our voting done early whenever possible. We’ll be out of town on that Tuesday also, so we’re going to go about a week and a half before. The kids are out of school for parent/teacher conferences, so we’ll take them. My daughter will be able to vote in the 2026 midterm elections, so we want to make sure she knows how to do it.
- The Dude Abides - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 2:00 pm:
VBM - wife and I switched back in 2020. I drop mine in the drop box by the county courthouse.
- Give Us Barabbas - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 2:05 pm:
Vote by mail, because wife and I are busy being poll workers on election day. It’s such a great feeling, registering first-time voters.
- Stix Hix - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 2:12 pm:
In spite of the fact my lady is an election judge, we will again vote by mail. You just don’t know what election day might bring to keep you from going.
- Lurker - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 2:13 pm:
@Downstate, you win the post of the month for September. Congratulations and please stop at the front desk to pick up your prize.
- DMC - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 3:14 pm:
@Downstate lololololo
- btowntruth from forgottonia - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 3:36 pm:
Early in person.
No lines,easy access and done in two minutes.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 3:45 pm:
I voted early yesterday. I wanted to lock in my vote as soon as possible. I have voted early in-person for every election since I have been in my current job because my early voting location is within walking distance of my workplace whereas my election day polling place is a 10-minute drive from my home in the other direction from my workplace.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 3:49 pm:
@Huh? - Bring ID and tell the election judge your situation and you’ll probably be fine.
I am always nervous giving my voting signature because I changed my voter registration right after my name changed via marriage and how I originally wrote my name when it was new and what my signature has become are two different things.
- yinn - Friday, Sep 27, 24 @ 4:04 pm:
I’m election judging so will vote early. Will vote in person for the communal interaction.