Chicago is seeing a strong start to the 2026 Midterm General Election, with over 450,000 voters — roughly one‑third of the city’s registered electorate — having cast a ballot by mid‑day Tuesday, officials said.
Early voting and mail‑in participation on the rise
According to the Chicago Board of Elections, 129,784 people have voted in person as of 11:30 a.m. on Election Day. In addition, 211,657 early‑vote ballots were cast at the city’s 50 ward locations and the downtown Voting SuperSite, while 109,215 mail‑in ballots were received by Monday night. That means about 20 percent of registered voters have already voted early.
In‑person early voting is up about 24 percent compared with the 2022 Midterm General Election and more than double the volume seen in the March 17 primary. Mail‑in ballot requests total 242,230, reflecting continued confidence in absentee voting options.
Registration numbers keep climbing
Chicago’s voter rolls now list 1,565,133 registered voters, a figure that continues to grow as the city’s same‑day registration program remains active at polling places and early‑voting sites. Two forms of identification are required for registration; a list of acceptable IDs is available on the Board of Elections website.
What’s on the ballot
Voters are selecting a new Chicago Board of Education president and board members, as well as federal, state, and legislative representatives. Several local referenda will also be decided, covering issues that directly affect Chicago neighborhoods.
Where to vote
Chicagoans may vote at their assigned precinct, any of the 50 ward early‑voting locations, or the downtown Voting SuperSite at 137 S. State St., which operates as a universal vote center where any resident can cast a ballot or return a mail‑in ballot. Voters can verify their polling place online.
Next steps
Polling places remain open until 7 p.m. tonight. Mail‑in ballots that were postmarked by November 3 will continue to be counted over the next two weeks, ensuring every vote is tallied.
City officials encourage all eligible Chicagoans to participate, emphasizing that high turnout strengthens the democratic process and gives a clear voice to neighborhoods across the city.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
