Chicago voters can check registration and still sign up in person for Nov. 3 election

Chicago residents preparing for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election still have time to confirm their registration or register in person. Regular registration and online sign-ups have ended, but Illinois offers grace-period registration, including at designated locations on Election Day.

The Illinois State Board of Elections provides an online tool for checking registration. Residents enter their first and last names, date of birth and ZIP code to look up their information. That gives voters a way to verify their status before deciding whether they need to make an in-person registration visit.

Chicago also has its own voter registration search tool with additional information for city residents. Along with registration details, it can show a voter’s precinct polling location or nearest vote center. Residents can also use it to review a sample ballot and check the status of a vote-by-mail request, making it useful for planning how and where to participate.

Some residents may already be registered through a visit to an Illinois Secretary of State office. State law provides for automatic voter registration during those visits unless a person opts out. A recent Real ID appointment may therefore have resulted in registration at the address on the identification, but the lookup tools allow residents to confirm rather than assume.

Anyone using grace-period registration must bring two forms of identification, with at least one showing their current address. Examples listed in the registration guidance include a driver’s license, state identification card, bank statement, lease or utility bill. After presenting the required identification and registering, voters must cast their ballot during that visit.

Grace-period registration is available only in person at designated sites. Those can include a local county clerk’s office, early voting locations and select Election Day sites. Residents should check with their local election authority for available locations and hours before heading out. Online registration is scheduled to reopen Nov. 5, after the election, so it is not an option for anyone seeking to register for the Nov. 3 vote.