When are the 2015 Chicago elections?

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015

What positions are being filled in the 2015 Municipal Elections?

  • Mayor of Chicago
  • City Clerk
  • City Treasurer
  • All 50 City Alderman positions

Am I registered to vote in Chicago?

Enter your last name and address here. If you’re registered, it will also give you your polling place location and absentee ballot options.

Where is my polling place?

Enter your last name and address here, and it will tell you where to vote. Or, enter an address without a last name here. Remember – your vote won’t count if you vote in the wrong precinct.

If you’ve moved since the last election, make sure you update your registration during the Grace Period (see below).

What time are the polls open in Chicago?

6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Can I vote early?

For all registered voters, early voting is available February 9 – February 21, Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with Sunday hours offered at five locations as listed here. You can vote early at the Chicago Board of Elections (69 W. Washington, Sixth Floor), or at any ward’s early voting location, found here. To vote early, you must bring government-issued photo ID (a driver’s license, state ID card, or passport).

What’s Grace Period Registration and Voting? Does that mean I can still register and vote even though I missed the January 27th registration deadline?

Yes. If you missed the January 27 registration deadline, you can register and vote in person during “grace period voting” at the Chicago Board of Elections through February 8, and at all 51 early voting locations February 9 – February 21. Locations and hours can be found here.

Bring two forms of ID, one of which must have your current address. A state-issued photo ID and a utility bill in your name are examples of acceptable ID.

Do I need an ID to vote in the Chicago Municipal Elections?

It depends. You must bring a government-issued photo ID if:

  • You are voting early.
  • You’ve changed your address or are voting for the first time at your polling place

You do NOT need a photo ID if you are voting on Election Day and have voted from your current address before.

Do I need to bring my voter ID card from the Illinois Board of Elections?

No, but you may need to provide a government-issued photo ID as explained above.

What’s a runoff election?

In order to win an elected position in the 2015 Municipal Elections, a candidate must receive a majority, or more than 50 percent of the votes. If no candidate wins on February 24, the top two candidates will compete in a run-off election on April 7, 2015.

Who should I vote for?

That is, of course, entirely up to you. While the BGA does not endorse candidates for public office, we can recommend tools to help you decide:

A list of the candidates can be found here. (Be sure to note whether the individual is listed as a “Candidate” or has withdrawn or otherwise been removed from the ballot.)

You can read about the mayoral candidates’ positions on various governance issues in the BGA 2015 Chicago Mayoral Questionnaire.

You can read the BGA’s endorsement of the campaign finance advisory ballot question here.

Both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times have compiled information on the Municipal Election candidates.

What is the schedule for candidate debates and forums?

There are a variety of mayoral forums and debates planned. Many require advanced registration or membership in a hosting club. However, several live mayoral candidate forums will be or have been televised and/or livestreamed:

  • WTTW’s Chicago Tonight hosted a live mayoral candidate forum on February 4, available at wttw.com.
  • The League of Women Voters sponsored a forum on February 5, which was carried by WLS-TV/Channel 7 and Univision WBGO-TV Channel 66.
  • The Chicago Urban League will sponsor a forum on February 10, which will be carried by WBBM-TV Channel 2 and WVON 1690-AM.

I want to talk to a real person—are there telephone help lines I can call?

You can call the Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago: 312.269.7900/TTY 312.269.0027

Voter help line (Español): 312.223.0820

Voter help line (Polski): 312.223.0823

If there are resources we missed, please add them as a comment.