‘Democracy thrives’ with Chicago early voting

Chicago’s 2026 early voting season began Oct. 1, when the SuperSite at 137 S. State St. opened its doors at 9 a.m. Board of Elections Chairwoman Marisel Hernandez spoke to voters at the site. Among many comments made, she stressed the importance of voting and specifically planning on doing so in advance.

“Democracy thrives when we all work together and we come out and vote,” she said.

For 81-year-old Lakeview resident and early voter Marie Toole, having access to various voting methods is imperative. 

“Alternative voting is important because it gives everybody an option,” she said. “People work, travel and get sick — you need to have a whole host of options that people can use to make sure their voices are heard.” 

Voting ballots are open seven days a week at the SuperSite, providing individuals a bigger window to vote compared to traditional one-day windows, Toole said. 

“Early voting is great,” Toole said. “I took the bus here, and it was super easy to get to the polling place and fill out the ballot. All of the information was provided for us. I will be traveling in November, so I thought I’d better get here early.”

According to Hernandez, ensuring immigrant safety through alternative voting options is another important aspect of this year’s election and voting systems.

“Anything that will disrupt a voter’s ability to vote is of concern to us, whether it actually happens or can potentially happen,” Hernandez said. “We have instructed our poll workers that if anything occurs, they are to notify the police department, and our election’s central offices.”

The Cook County Attorney’s Office has policies in place to help protect individuals who wish to vote free from intimidation by ICE agents, including a new phone hotline to report any sightings of immigration officers disrupting polling places.

“It’s important for our immigrant population who are now new voters to not feel intimidated in a new setting,” Toole said. “If they feel comfortable in such a setting, there is a higher chance that their voice will be heard through voting.”

New Chicago resident John Toole, husband of Marie Toole, said alternative voting methods bridge the gap for those who may not find in-person voting easy.

“Chicago does an excellent job at providing voters with a wide array of resources to enable them to vote,” he said. “I voted by mail when I lived in Colorado. The ballot came to our home, we received it, signed it and sent it back all without leaving our living room. It was a very simple, user-friendly method that catered to our needs.”

Fourth-year biology major Olivia Procaccio said she finds early voting to be a helpful tool as a student with a busy schedule.

“I think the system encourages more people to vote early, making the process easier and more accessible for everybody,” she said. “It gives people more flexibility to vote around their work, school and personal schedules. It’s especially convenient for those who have difficulty getting to the polls on election day.”

Procaccio said voting centers such as the SuperSite in the Loop allow more people to make their voice heard.

“Voting is important because it gives people a say in the decisions that affect their everyday lives and communities,” Procaccio said. “The midterm elections are especially important because they decide who represents us.”

Fewer than 50% of registered voters in Cook County have participated in midterm elections, according to the Cook County Clerk’s office. Although turnout typically rises during presidential election years, a significant portion of registered voters in the Chicago area still don’t cast ballots. 

Lake Forest native Bart Calloway said he believes early voting is an imperative method that can allow for higher turnout rates.

“I think it’s important to advocate for early voting, whether at the ballots or by mail, because it gives people an option to have easier access to making their voice heard,” Calloway said. “I think it’s common for people to lose out on voting due to issues with physically making it to the ballot.”

“Having different methods to vote increases voter participation — that’s the single most important thing, especially given Chicago’s recent voting trends,” Marie Toole said. “In the past, less than half of registered voters actually used that voice, so it’s good that there’s now more options to do so.”

Procaccio said she believes early voting can be beneficial if younger generations are made aware of the option to do so.

“I think schools could talk more about early voting and educate students about how it works, especially since this could be their first time voting now that they are of age,” she said. “We get to choose who makes decisions that affect our communities, so it’s important for people to make their voices heard as we have the opportunity to make a difference.”

Calloway feels strongly about Chicago and its surrounding suburbs’ options for voting.

“It’s not always easy for me to make it to the ballots on the exact voting days each year, so having access to early voting is essential,” he said. “It grants me more avenues to vote, which is important as I typically find myself to be very busy around this time of year.”

With more opportunities to vote, Calloway believes overall turnout may increase, which he says is especially important given the upcoming midterm elections.

“The midterms are important,” Calloway said. “Other than the presidential election, I think these upcoming ones are some of the most imperative we’ve got. It’s equally as important for there to be multiple ways people can vote. Given how busy life is, it could be the difference between someone shying away versus making their voice heard, loud and clear.”

Chicago residents can vote from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 25. From Oct. 26 through Nov. 2, weekday hours are extended until 7 p.m.