Vote By Mail Applications Now Open for the March 17, 2026 Primary Election in Chicago
CONTACT: Max Bever, mbever@chicagoelections.gov, 773.782.0971 (cell)
Chicago voters may now apply to Vote By Mail for the March 17, 2026 Primary Election. Voters may use this online application to request a ballot for the upcoming election: https://chicagoelections.gov/elections/vote-by-mail/393
Voters can choose one Political Party ballot type: Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Non-Partisan (referenda only). Per Illinois Election Code, voters may only choose one ballot and cannot vote multiple Party ballots. Additionally, voters can choose to receive their Vote By Mail ballot in English/Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, or Tagalog.
Voters may also apply online to join the Vote By Mail Permanent Roster ahead of the March 17, 2026 Primary Election: https://chicagoelections.gov/elections/vote-by-mail/permanent-roster
Voters who previously signed up for the Permanent Vote By Mail Roster for ‘All Elections’ and selected a preferred Party ballot will automatically receive a Vote By Mail ballot for the March 17, 2026 Primary Election. Voters can search and confirm their Permanent Roster information by using the online Voter Lookup Tool: https://chicagoelections.gov/voting/your-voter-information. Permanent Roster voters can also update their information and preferences using the online application.
The Chicago Board of Elections will tentatively start shipping ballots on February 5, 2026. All Vote By Mail ballots come with postage-paid Ballot Return Envelopes.
The deadline to apply to Vote By Mail is March 12, 2026 by 5:00pm.
When voters receive their Vote By Mail ballot, they may return it through Standard US Mail and it must be postmarked on or before Election Day on March 17, 2026. Voters may also submit the Ballot Return Envelope in a secure Drop Box at any Early Voting location before Election Day or Vote Center on Election Day.
When voters apply online to Vote By Mail, the Election Board will send emails to that voter:
- When their application is accepted,
- When their ballot is mailed,
- When the Election Board receives their Ballot Return Envelope, and
- When their ballot has been processed and counted.
To learn more about Voting By Mail and FAQ, go to: https://chicagoelections.gov/voting/vote-mail
For voter registration services, including name and address changes, voters may go to chicagoelections.gov or call (312) 269-7936.
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