You can vote in Illinois if you are U.S citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, a resident of Illinois for at least 30 days before Election Day, and not in jail for a felony conviction. In order to vote, you first must be registered at an Illinois address, which can include an on- or off-campus address.

You can check your registration status online through our online Check Registration Tool, or through your local election authority. Check the Voter Information Search Tools for Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County), Chicago, or elsewhere in Illinois. If you are registered at a campus address, you should be registered with your physical dorm address (not your package center address), but you may want to check both.

If you registered recently, it often takes several weeks for registration requests to be processed. If you cannot confirm your registration from a previous year, simply re-register.

If you have concerns about your registration, contact your local election authority. For Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County), e-mail Voter.Reg@cookcountyil.gov or call (312)603-0906. For Chicago, e-mail cboe@chicagoelections.gov or call (312)269-7900.

If you run into a problem, don’t panic – you still have the option to register and vote in Illinois through Election Day.

In Illinois, you can register to vote in advance:

If you have passed these deadlines, it is not too late! You can register and vote at the same time, during early voting or on Election Day. (See How can I register after the deadlines have passed? below for more information.)

If you are registering at an on-campus address, in the Home Address line, you should list your dorm’s physical street address, and include your room number in the Apartment field. Then on the Mailing Address line, you should list your package center address, and include your building abbreviation and room number in the Apartment field.

No. You do not have to declare a party for General Elections. In some states, you must register with a party preference in order to participate in Primary Elections; but in Illinois, even for Primary Elections, you can choose which party’s ballot you would like when you go to vote or request your ballot.

Registration typically does not expire. However, you must update your registration if your address, name, or signature has changed. If you don’t vote for several years, or your county sends you election mail that gets returned to their office as undeliverable, you may be removed from the voter rolls, so it’s always a good idea to check to make sure your registration is current.

To change or update your voter registration, simply re-register.

If you are changing your address, there will be a space on the registration form to list your previous address (or as much as you can remember). You may temporarily be registered in both places until you are removed from the voter rolls at your previous address. That’s okay; just be sure not to vote or request a ballot in both places!

In Illinois, it is never too late to register to vote! After the advance registration deadlines have passed, you can register and vote at the same time, during Early Voting or on Election Day. (See When and where can I vote early? and When and where can I vote on Election Day? below for more information.)

You must present TWO forms of ID to register (see What identification do I need to register? below for more information). You will be required to cast your ballot immediately after registering.

To register to vote in person, you must present TWO forms of ID:

1. Something that proves your identity: A Wildcard, driver’s license, state ID, passport, birth certificate, or social security card
2. Something that shows your current address: Postmarked mail, a utility bill, a bank or credit card statement, a pay stub, a lease or rental contract, or in Evanston, a printout from CAESAR that shows your local address (CAESAR > Main Menu > Profile > Addresses) or a Residency Verification Letter from the housing portal (Housing Portal > Contract Info > Residency Verification > Get My Letter).

To register to vote online, you must provide an IL driver’s license or state ID number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number. (If you do not have an Illinois driver’s license/state ID number you cannot register online, but you can register by mail or in person.)

To register to vote by mail, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number only. If you register to vote by mail, you may be required to show ID (proof of identity and proof of address) the first time you vote or request or return your ballot. 

For help getting the IDs you need to register, see VoteRiders.

Yes. Students have a legal right to register and vote at either their permanent address or their campus address. To do this, re-register to vote using your campus/local address.

To vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3rd), you must go to your assigned polling place.

To find your polling place, use the Voter Information Search Tools for Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County), Chicago, or elsewhere in Illinois. Polling place information will be available closer to the election.

If you live on North Campus, your assigned polling place is typically the Noyes Cultural Arts Center (927 Noyes St). If you live on South Campus, your assigned polling place is typically Parkes Hall (1870 Sheridan). Polling place information will be available closer to the election.

Note that polling places are always subject to change, even on short notice, so be sure to double check the location using the search tools above just before you go to vote.

On Election Day, all polling places are open from 6 AM to 7 PM.

You can still register to vote on Election Day with TWO forms of ID (see What identification do I need to register? above for more information).

Yes. Early voting allows you to avoid lines at the polls on Election Day by casting your ballot before Election Day, at a time that is convenient for you.

If you live in Evanston or anywhere in suburban Cook County, you can vote early at the Robert Crown Community Center (1801 Main St) or 50+ other suburban sites starting October 19th. See Early Voting Locations & Hours for Cook County Residents. (Note that the Morton Civic Center in Evanston is no longer an early voting site.)

If you live in Chicago, you can vote early at any of 50+ locations throughout the city starting October 19th. See Early Voting Locations & Hours for Chicago Residents.

If you live in another county in Illinois, see Early Voting Locations & Hours by County (be sure to choose 2026 General Election).

You can register to vote on all early voting days with TWO forms of ID (see What identification do I need to register? above for more information).

Early voting in Evanston has moved to the Robert Crown Community Center (1801 Main St). There are multiple options to travel there:

Intercampus Shuttle: (Free) The center is an 18 minute (.8 mile) walk from the Chicago/Main stop. To find the closest Intercampus Shuttle stop to you, check out this map or the Intercampus Shuttle website. Find the schedule here or download the TripShot app for live tracking.

Bus Route 93: The center is just off the Dodge & Main stop. You can catch the 93 near South Campus at Emerson and Maple. See the map here. (Your cost would be $2.25 round trip with a Ventra card or contactless payment card if you return within 2 hours.)

Bus Route 201: The center is a 12 minute (.5 mile) walk from the Ridge & Main stop. You can catch the 201 along Sheridan from North or South Campus (at Lincon, Haven, Foster, or Chicago). See the map here. (Your cost would be $2.25 round trip with a Ventra card or contactless payment card if you return within 2 hours.)

CTA Purple Line: The center is an 18 minute (.8 mile) walk from the Main Station. You can catch the Purple Line at Noyes, Foster, or Davis. See the map here. (Your cost would be $2.50 round trip with a Ventra card or contactless payment card if you return within 2 hours.)

Carpool: Gather a group of friends to drive down to the center. Split an Uber or Lyft, or find a friend with a car.

Walk: (Free) The center is a 2 mile/45 minute walk from the arch. See the map here.

The more the merrier! Encourage friends to travel with you on your voting journey.

Yes. All Illinois voters can choose to vote by mail.

Request a Vote By Mail Ballot for Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County), Chicago, or elsewhere in Illinois. If you are not yet registered to vote in Illinois, you can request a Vote by Mail Ballot on Illinois’ online or mail-in Voter Registration Forms, or upon registering in person. You must request a Vote by Mail Ballot no later than October 29th, though you are encouraged to submit your request well before that deadline to make sure you receive your ballot on time. You should also have the option to be added to a permanent vote-by-mail list, so that you receive a mail-in ballot for future elections automatically.

Once you submit your request, you will be mailed a paper ballot to the address you choose, to complete, sign, and deliver or mail back in the enclosed return envelope.

Illinois Vote by Mail Ballots typically begin being mailed to voters starting in late September or early October, and then on an ongoing basis as requests are processed, which can take several weeks.

If you have requested a Vote by Mail Ballot but have not yet received one, and it is past that timeline, you may be able to check on the status of your ballot online. Enter your address into the Voter Information Search Tools for Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County) or Chicago. Elsewhere in Illinois, contact your local election authority to check on the status of your ballot request.

If you live on campus, note that mail can sometimes take a bit longer to make its way through the campus mail system. Remember to check your mailbox regularly and be on the lookout for email from the package center. You also might want to check with package center staff.

If you run into trouble (e.g. your local election authority did not receive your ballot request, or there was a problem with it, or they mailed you a ballot but you did not receive it), your local election authority should be able to help you identify some alternative options. There may still be time to submit a new request, especially if you can do so via phone, fax, or email. Or you still have the option to vote in person, during early voting or on Election Day.

You can return your completed ballot by mail, or if you are voting in Evanston, Chicago, or elsewhere in suburban Cook County, you can deliver your ballot to special secure ballot drop boxes available at all early voting sites.

If you are voting in Evanston or elsewhere in suburban Cook County, you can deliver your ballot to the drop box at the Robert Crown Community Center (1801 Main St) or to any of the 50+ ballot drop boxes in Suburban Cook County during early voting (October 19th – November 2nd).

If you are voting in Chicago, you can deliver your ballot to any of the 50+ ballot drop boxes in Chicago during early voting (October 19th – November 2nd) or on Election Day (November 3rd).

For other counties, or to return your ballot via mail, simply drop your stamped or postage-paid envelope in the nearest USPS mailbox. On the Evanston Campus, mailboxes are available on the corners of Colfax & Sheridan, Foster & Sheridan, and Hinman & Sheridan. See our mailing tips to find mailbox and post office locations near you. 

Your ballot must be postmarked no later than Election Day, but you are encouraged to return your ballot as early as possible to ensure it is received on time; at least one week prior to Election Day is recommended. If you are mailing your ballot close to the postmark deadline, you are encouraged to bring your ballot directly to a post office window and request for a clerk to hand stamp your ballot to ensure it is postmarked on the day you submit it.

NU Votes can help with stamps, mailing, or other requirements such as copies of IDs at any of our in-person voter services stations. NU Votes Dropboxes are not intended for ballot return.

If you registered to vote by mail and are voting for the first time at your current registration address, you may be required to show ID (including proof of identity and proof of address) to vote. (This is especially true if you did not include an Illinois driver’s license or state ID number or Social Security Number on your registration form.)

If you are registering during Early Voting or on Election Day, you must bring TWO forms of ID (see What identification do I need to register? above for more information).

Otherwise, in Illinois, you are NOT required to show ID to vote. However, we recommend bringing a Wildcard or other photo ID just in case. For help getting the IDs you need to vote, see VoteRiders.

You are allowed to bring notes or sample ballots with you into the voting booth and to look up information on your phone. However, in Illinois, you may NOT take any photos of your ballot or inside the polling place.

You do NOT need your Voter Registration Card to vote. However, you must be registered. Make sure to verify your registration status through our online Check Registration Tool, or through your local election authority. Check the Voter Information Search Tools for Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County), Chicago, or elsewhere in Illinois. If you run into a problem, don’t panic – you still have the option to register and vote in Illinois through Election Day.

If you use our voter services in person or online, NU Votes will send voting reminders via email during major national election seasons for as long as you are at NU. You can also follow NU Votes on Instagram. To sign up to receive voting reminders via text, for state and local elections, or beyond your time at NU, use Vote.org’s Election Reminders tool.

Make sure to register to vote or check or update your registration in advance if you are able.

If you are voting by mail, request your ballot well in advance of the deadline (typically at least one month prior to Election Day), and check to make sure your request was received and your ballot is on the way (see How can I check on the status of my ballot? above for more information). Be sure to carefully follow the instructions on the ballot request form as well as on the ballot and ballot envelope. Complete all fields, and review the instructions for any additional materials needed, such as an ID copy. Make sure to sign in all places required, and make sure your signature matches the signature on file with your voter registration. Finally, return your ballot well in advance of the deadline (typically, at least one week before the deadline).

You may be able to check online to confirm that your ballot was received and will be counted. Enter your address into the Voter Information Search Tools for Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County) or Chicago. Elsewhere in Illinois, you can contact your local election authority directly via phone or email.

If you are voting in person, be sure to bring proper IDs (including proof of identity and proof of address). Make sure your signature matches the signature on file with your voter registration. Follow the instructions carefully as you complete and submit your ballot.

If you or others encounter issues at a polling place or barriers to voting, contact the National Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. If your eligibility to vote is challenged, you should still be able to vote using a provisional ballot, which will be reviewed after Election Day to determine if your vote can still be counted.

You are eligible to vote if you are a U.S. citizen and will be at least 18 years old on Election Day. You must be a resident of your state (sometimes for at least 30 days prior to Election Day) and meet your state’s requirements. Some states have restrictions on voting for people with felony convictions or who are mentally incapacitated. Learn more about your state’s requirements.

You can check your registration status online through our online Check Registration Tool, or through your local election authority. (Select your state, U.S. Domestic Voters, and State Lookup Tools, then look for a link next to Am I Registered?.)

If you registered recently, it often takes several weeks for registration requests to be processed. If you cannot confirm your registration from a previous year, simply re-register.

If you have concerns about your registration, contact your local election authority. If you run into a problem, don’t panic – you may still have time to register and vote in your state; or you can register and vote in Illinois through Election Day.

First, make sure there is still time to register before your state’s deadline. Some states close registration as far as 30 days in advance of an election, while others will allow you to register through Election Day. In some states, deadlines may vary depending on whether you are registering online, by mail, or in person. To view the registration deadlines for your state, see State Election Dates & Deadlines.

To register or update your registration in any state, use our online Voter Registration Tool.

In most states, registration can be done entirely online if you have an in-state driver’s license or state ID number. In the remaining states, or if you do not have an in-state ID number, you typically need to print and mail a form to complete your registration. NU Votes can help with printing and mailing or other requirements. In most states, you can also register in person at your local election office.

No. You do not have to declare a party for General Elections. In some states, you must register with a party preference in order to participate in Primary Elections. View a map of Primary Types by State to look up the rules governing your state’s primaries. If you do need to register with a party to participate in Primary Elections in your state, you can do so now, or you can update your registration with your party preference just before the next Primary Election.

Registration typically does not expire. However, you must update your registration if your address, name, or signature has changed. If you don’t vote for several years, or your county sends you election mail that gets returned to their office as undeliverable, you may be removed from the voter rolls, so it’s always a good idea to check to make sure your registration is current.

To change or update your voter registration, simply re-register.

On the registration form, there will be a space to list your previous registration address (or as much as you can remember). You may temporarily be registered in both places until you are removed from the voter rolls at your previous address. That’s okay; just be sure not to vote or request a ballot in both places!

If you are registering online or by mail, most states will request an in-state driver’s license or state ID number (do not use an out-of-state ID number), OR if you do not have one, the last four digits of your Social Security Number. Some states may request or require your full Social Security Number, or may request or require both a driver’s license or state ID number and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.

If you are registering in person, or if you are voting for the first time after registering by mail, you may be required to show ID when you go to vote or request your ballot, including (a) something that proves your identity (a driver’s license, state ID, passport, birth certificate, or social security card) and (b) something that shows your current address (postmarked mail, a utility bill, a bank or credit card statement, a pay stub, a lease or rental contract, etc.).

For help getting the IDs you need to register, see VoteRiders.

Yes. Students have a legal right to register and vote at either their permanent address or their campus address. To do this, re-register using your permanent address.

If you are a U.S. citizen, living in the U.S. to attend school, you have the option to register and vote at your campus address in Illinois or your permanent address in your territory. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you should register and vote in your territory.

Unfortunately, our standard forms and online tools will not work for U.S. territories, and many of the 50-state resources linked in this guide will not contain information specific to your territory. You can find upcoming election dates and deadlines and more information about how to register and vote in your territory in the U.S. Vote Foundation’s State Voting Requirements & Information resource. You can also find links there to your territory’s board of elections website, where you can access registration and absentee ballot request forms. NU Votes can help with form completion, printing and mailing, or other questions.

If you are a U.S. citizen living outside the U.S. (including students studying abroad) or an active duty service member, military spouse or dependent, there are special forms you should use. You can use the Overseas Voter Registration and Ballot Request Form to register and request a ballot to vote by mail in any U.S. state or territory. In addition, if you request but do not receive your absentee ballot in time to return it by the appropriate deadline, you can vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAP) as a backup ballot. Learn more about voting from abroad and get answers to FAQs specific to your situation through the Overseas Vote Foundation. NU Votes can help with form completion, printing and mailing, or other questions.

To find your polling place, use the Polling Place Locator for your state. The location and hours of your polling place might vary depending on whether you are voting early or on Election Day.

To vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3rd), you must go to your assigned polling place. Polling places generally open between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., and close between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. For the specific hours for your state, see Polling Place Hours by State.

Note that polling places are always subject to change, even on short notice, so be sure to double check the location just before you go to vote.

In most states, yes. Most states allow early voting (or in-person absentee voting), from 3 days up to 30 or even 45 days prior to each election. To view early voting options for your state, see this Early Voting Calendar by State.

In most states, yes. All states allow some form of vote by mail or absentee voting. A few states conduct their elections primarily by mail for all voters. Many states allow any voter to choose to vote by mail for any reason. Some states require voters to provide an excuse to vote absentee. There will always be an excuse applicable to students living out of state (such as being a student by occupation, temporarily living or traveling outside the jurisdiction on Election Day, or being otherwise unavoidably absent or unable to make it to the polling place on Election Day).

In most states, voters must request an absentee ballot for each election. Some states offer a permanent absentee ballot list; once a voter is added to this list, they will receive an absentee ballot for each election automatically.

To view absentee voting or vote by mail options for your state, see Absentee Ballot Rules by State.

First, make sure there is still time to request an absentee ballot before your state’s deadline. Most states recommend submitting your absentee ballot request at least one month prior to the election. Some states will continue to accept absentee ballot requests one week prior or sometimes even less, though those deadlines do not always allow enough time to request, receive, and return your ballot. To view the ballot request deadline for your state, see State Election Dates & Deadlines.

To request an absentee ballot for any state, use our online Absentee Ballot Request Tool. 

In some states, ballot requests can be submitted entirely online. However, in many states, you will need to print, complete, sign, and mail a form to complete the process. NU Votes can help with printing and mailing or other requirements, such as copies of IDs or witness or notary services. Ballot requests can also be submitted in person, and sometimes by phone, fax, or email.

You should submit your request as early as possible to receive your ballot on time. If it is less than 30 days before Election Day, call your local election office and ask if you can submit your request by phone or email.

Once you submit your request, you will be mailed a paper ballot to the address you choose, to complete, sign, and return. In some cases, you may be able to download a ballot, or receive one via email.

Note that some states that vote primarily by mail automatically mail ballots to all registered voters. In these states, if you are already registered to vote at your current address, and that is where you want your ballot to be mailed, you will not need to submit a request form. If you have recently registered or updated your registration, or you want your ballot to be mailed to a different address, you will still need to submit a request form. Review the Absentee Ballot Rules for your state to determine whether you need to submit a request form.

Absentee ballots are typically mailed in late September or early October, most commonly 30–45 days before Election Day, and then on an ongoing basis as requests are processed, which can take several weeks. To check your state’s timeline, see When States Mail Absentee Ballots.

If you have requested an absentee ballot but have not yet received one, and it is past that timeline, contact your local election authority to confirm that they received your absentee ballot application and verify there were no errors in processing.

Some states will allow you to track your absentee ballot online. If your state does not offer an online tool, contact your local election authority via phone or email.

If you live on campus, note that mail can sometimes take a bit longer to make its way through the campus mail system. Remember to check your mailbox regularly and be on the lookout for email from the package center. You also might want to check with package center staff.

If you run into trouble (e.g. your local election authority did not receive your ballot request, or there was a problem with it, or they mailed you a ballot but you did not receive it), your local election authority should be able to help you identify some alternative options, which will vary by state. There may still be time to submit a new request, especially if you can do so via phone or email. Or you may be able to vote in person, during early voting or on Election Day, if that is an option for you. Or you can register and vote in Illinois through Election Day.

Completed absentee ballots can typically be returned by mail or in person, or sometimes in special ballot drop boxes. Some states may allow ballots to be returned by fax or email. Your ballot should provide instructions on how, where, and when to return it.

To return your absentee ballot via mail, simply drop your stamped or postage-paid envelope in the nearest USPS mailbox. On the Evanston Campus, mailboxes are available on the corners of Colfax & Sheridan, Foster & Sheridan, and Hinman & Sheridan. See our mailing tips to find mailbox and post office locations near you.

In most states, absentee ballots must be received by the time polls close on Election Day; however, some states may have slightly earlier deadlines, and some states may continue to accept absentee ballots as long as they are postmarked by Election Day (see What does postmarked mean? below for more information). To view the absentee ballot deadlines for your state, see State Election Dates & Deadlines. You are encouraged to return your ballot as early as possible to ensure it is received on time. At least one week prior to Election Day is recommended; two weeks prior if possible.

NU Votes can help with stamps, mailing, or other requirements, such as copies of IDs or witness or notary services, at any of our in-person voter services stations. NU Votes Dropboxes are not intended for ballot return.

Postmarking confirms the date of processing through the US Postal Service (USPS). In some states, for mail-in ballots to be counted, they must be postmarked by Election Day. (In other states, absentee ballots must be received by the time polls close on Election Day, and some states may have slightly earlier deadlines. To view the absentee ballot deadlines for your state, see State Election Dates & Deadlines. You are encouraged to return your ballot as early as possible to ensure it is received on time. At least one week prior to Election Day is recommended; two weeks prior if possible.)

Due to recent changes at the USPS, postmarking now occurs during the first instance of automatic processing, rather than the first day of collection. As a result, if you are mailing your ballot close to a postmark deadline, you are encouraged to bring your ballot directly to a post office window and request for a clerk to hand stamp your ballot to ensure it is postmarked on the day you submit it.

Most states request or require some form of ID in order to vote, either for all voters, or only those who registered by mail and are voting for the first time at their current registration address. As a result, while it may not be required, we recommend bringing ID (including a current photo ID and proof of address) when you go to vote. For the specific rules for your state, see Voter ID Requirements by State. For help getting the IDs you need to vote, see VoteRiders.

As a general rule, you are allowed to bring notes or sample ballots with you into the voting booth and to look up information on your phone. However, in some states, you are NOT allowed to take photos of your ballot or inside the polling place.

You do NOT need your Voter Registration Card to vote. However, you must be registered. Make sure to verify your registration status through our online Check Registration Tool, or through your local election authority. Select your state, U.S. Domestic Voters, and State Lookup Tools, then look for a link next to Am I Registered?

If you run into a problem, don’t panic – you may still have time to register to vote in your state; or you can register and vote in Illinois through Election Day.

If you use our voter services in person or online, NU Votes will send voting reminders via email during major national election seasons for as long as you are at NU. You can also follow NU Votes on Instagram. To sign up to receive voting reminders via text, for state and local elections, or beyond your time at NU, use Vote.org’s Election Reminders tool.

First, make sure to register to vote or check or update your registration well in advance of your state’s deadline.

If you are voting by mail, request your ballot well in advance of your state’s deadline (typically at least one month prior to Election Day), and check to make sure your request was received and your ballot is on the way (see How can I check on the status of my ballot? above for more information). Be sure to follow the instructions carefully on your ballot request form as well as on the ballot and ballot envelope. Complete all fields, and review the instructions for any additional materials needed, such as an ID copy or witness or notary signature. Make sure to sign in all places required, and make sure your signature matches the signature on file with your voter registration. Finally, return your ballot well in advance of your state’s deadline (typically, at least one week before the deadline).

In some states, you can check online to confirm that your ballot was received and will be counted. At this Absentee Ballot Rules by State site, find your state, then look for a link next to ‘Where’s my ballot?.’ If your state does not offer an online tool, you can contact your local election authority via phone or email.

If you are voting in person, be sure to bring proper IDs (including proof of identity and proof of address). Make sure your signature matches the signature on file with your voter registration. Follow the instructions carefully as you complete and submit your ballot.

If you or others encounter issues at a polling place or barriers to voting, contact the National Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE. If your voter registration cannot be found or your eligibility to vote is challenged, you should still be able to vote using a provisional ballot, which will be reviewed after Election Day to determine if your vote can still be counted.

Illinois voters will choose a U.S. Senator and Representatives, Illinois Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State, as well as all State Representatives, some State Senators, city or county officials, and proposed changes to state and local laws.

There are lots of great resources that help you preview what’s on your ballot and research detailed, nonpartisan information on each candidate’s profiles and positions. Here are some of our favorites:

• BallotReady
  Enter your address and go to Research Ballot in the Election Center. You’ll be able to preview each office and question on your ballot. You’ll see all the candidates running for each office,  and can learn about their backgrounds, where they stand on key issues, endorsements received, and more. For ballot measures, you can review the arguments for and against. Then you can save your selections and print or email your ballot to yourself to bring with you to vote.
• Ballotpedia
  Enter your address and choose the election. You’ll be able to preview each office and question on your ballot and the candidates running for each office. Ballotpedia sometimes includes more information on candidates, especially those who have previously served in national elected office, including legislation supported or votes on key issues, past election results, analyses of campaign donations, voting records, personal gains from serving in office, and more. You cannot save your selections, but you can record them in another way to bring with you vote.
• WeVote
  WeVote allows you to choose issues you care about, values you hold, and organizations and people you trust. Then you can see a personal score for each candidate on your ballot, based on their connection to those issues and values and endorsements they’ve received from your trusted sources. You can save your choices, and share them with friends and family.

Here are some additional ways you can educate yourself and decide who to vote for:

• If you’re not sure where you fall on the political spectrum or whether you align with a particular party, try taking a quiz. The Pew Research Center Political Typology Quiz is a popular one.
• Review candidates’ websites and watch candidate debates and forums to hear what the candidates themselves have to say.
• Check your favorite local news outlet – they typically have candidates complete questionnaires on where they stand on key issues, and editorial boards often make endorsements. Locally, check out Chicago Public Media including a special guide to this year’s Chicago School Board Elections) and WTTW.
• If there is an issue you care about, check whether national or local advocacy organizations are endorsing or supporting candidates.
• If you identify with a political party or national or local political organization, they typically endorse or support a slate of candidates.
• If you are voting to elect or retain judges, local bar associations often make recommendations. Locally, check out VoteforJudges and Injustice Watch.
• Note that a number of political organizations publish voter guides which give recommendations on who and what to vote for on the entire ballot. You can print these guides out and bring them with you to vote. This is especially helpful if your ballot is lengthy, and you feel that you do not have enough time to research every office, candidate, or referendum.

No! If you don’t feel sufficiently informed about a particular office, set of candidates, or issue, or you don’t want to vote for any of the candidates, you can choose to leave that category blank. This does not invalidate your ballot – your other selections will still be counted.

To get further involved this election season, you can:

• Get friends in your network to commit to vote as well. Help them make their voting plan, and send them reminders to make sure they follow through.
• Volunteer for a candidate’s campaign, on behalf of a political party, issue advocacy organization, or nonpartisan voter engagement organization.
  
• Work the polls! Review the qualifications and pay, and apply now to work as an Election Judge at a polling place in Evanston (or anywhere in suburban Cook County) or Chicago. For elsewhere in Illinois, visit WorkElections.com.

You can also explore additional opportunities for civic engagement beyond voting.

In future election seasons, consider becoming an NU Votes Ambassador. Join our mailing list to learn about future opportunities (select Interested in NU Votes).

Great question! There are many ways to be civically engaged beyond voting. You might also want to learn more about the programs and services offered by the Center for Civic Engagement.

Evanston City Clerk – Registration & Voting Information (Evanston) 
Cook County Clerk – Registration & Voting Information (Suburban Cook County) 
Chicago Board of Elections – Registration & Voting Information (Chicago) 
Illinois State Board of Elections – Registration & Voting Information (Illinois) 
BallotReady – Sample Ballots & Voter Guides (All 50 States) 
Ballotpedia – Election & Voting Information, Sample Ballots & Voter Guides (All 50 States) 
Vote.org – Registration & Voting Information (All 50 States) 
National Association of Secretaries of State – Election & Voting Information (All 50 States) 
National Conference of State Legislators – Election & Voting Information (All 50 States) 
US Vote Foundation – Election & Voting Information (All 50 States)

The NU Votes staff and student team is standing by to help! Email nuvotes@northwestern.edu or stop in to our drop-in hours at 1813 Hinman.

If you have additional questions or need more specific guidance, contact your local election authority.

Depending on your state, you might be voting for U.S. Representatives, a U.S. Senator, Governor, State Representatives and Senators, other state and local officials, and proposed changes to state and local laws.

You can typically view a sample ballot through your local election authority. Select your state, U.S. Domestic Voters, and State Lookup Tools, then look for a link next to ‘Can I View My Sample Ballot?’.

Or use a resource like BallotReady or Ballotpedia to view a sample ballot and research detailed, nonpartisan information on candidate profiles and positions at the same time.

There are lots of great resources that help you preview what’s on your ballot and research detailed, nonpartisan information on each candidate’s profiles and positions. Here are some of our favorites:

• BallotReady
  Enter your address and go to Research Ballot in the Election Center. You’ll be able to preview each office and question on your ballot. You’ll see all the candidates running for each office,  and can learn about their backgrounds, where they stand on key issues, endorsements received, and more. For ballot measures, you can review the arguments for and against. Then you can save your selections and print or email your ballot to yourself to bring with you to vote.
• Ballotpedia
  Enter your address and choose the election. You’ll be able to preview each office and question on your ballot and the candidates running for each office. Ballotpedia sometimes includes more information on candidates, especially those who have previously served in national elected office, including legislation supported or votes on key issues, past election results, analyses of campaign donations, voting records, personal gains from serving in office, and more. You cannot save your selections, but you can record them in another way to bring with you vote.
• WeVote
  WeVote allows you to choose issues you care about, values you hold, and organizations and people you trust. Then you can see a personal score for each candidate on your ballot, based on their connection to those issues and values and endorsements they’ve received from your trusted sources. You can save your choices, and share them with friends and family.
• Guides.Vote
  Guides.vote offers non-partisan student-oriented voter guides on key national and state races. State guides are available in select states for Senate, House, and Governors races. Guides typically include side-by-side comparisons of major party candidates’ stances on a range of issues, in their own words.

Here are some additional ways you can educate yourself and decide who to vote for:

• If you’re not sure where you fall on the political spectrum or whether you align with a particular party, try taking a quiz. The Pew Research Center Political Typology Quiz is a popular one.
• Review candidates’ websites and watch candidate debates and forums to hear what the candidates themselves have to say.
• Check your favorite local news outlet – they typically have candidates complete questionnaires on where they stand on key issues, and editorial boards often make endorsements.
• If there is an issue you care about, check whether national or local advocacy organizations are endorsing or supporting candidates.
• If you identify with a political party or national or local political organization, they typically endorse or support a slate of candidates.
• If you are voting to elect or retain judges, local bar associations often make recommendations.
• Note that a number of political organizations publish voter guides which give recommendations on who and what to vote for on the entire ballot. You can print these guides out and bring them with you to vote. This is especially helpful if your ballot is lengthy, and you feel that you do not have enough time to research every office, candidate, and referendum.

No! If you don’t feel sufficiently informed about a particular office, set of candidates, or issue, or you don’t want to vote for any of the candidates, you can choose to leave that category blank. This does not invalidate your ballot – your other selections will still be counted.

To get further involved this election season, you can:

• Get friends in your network to commit to vote as well. Help them make their voting plan and send them reminders to make sure they follow through.
• Volunteer for a candidate’s campaign, on behalf of a political party, issue advocacy organization, or nonpartisan voter engagement organization.
• Work the polls! Review the qualifications and pay, and apply to become a poll worker in your state at WorkElections.com.

You can also explore additional opportunities for civic engagement beyond voting.

In future election seasons, consider becoming an NU Votes Ambassador. Join our mailing list to learn about future opportunities (select Interested in NU Votes).

Great question! There are many ways to be civically engaged beyond voting. You might also want to learn more about the programs and services offered by the Center for Civic Engagement.

BallotReady – Sample Ballots & Voter Guides (All 50 States) 
Ballotpedia – Election & Voting Information, Sample Ballots & Voter Guides (All 50 States) 
Vote.org – Registration & Voting Information (All 50 States) 
National Association of Secretaries of State – Election & Voting Information (All 50 States) 
National Conference of State Legislators – Election & Voting Information (All 50 States) 
US Vote Foundation – Election & Voting Information (All 50 States)

The NU Votes staff and student team is standing by to help! Email nuvotes@northwestern.edu or stop in to our drop-in hours at 1813 Hinman.

If you have additional questions or need more specific guidance, contact your local election authority.