Voter Information

Voting is both a right and a responsibility. Check out the resources on this page for information on registering to vote, where and when to cast your ballot, which candidates are running for office in 2018, and more.

General Information

When is the general election?

November 6, 2018

Age to register 

Voters must be at least 18 by the general election, November 6, 2018.

Register to vote

Information from the Cook County Clerk's Office

You can also register at Skokie Public Library, Saturdays and Sundays from September 8—October 7, 1–5 pm and at Village Hall weekdays, 8:30 am–5 pm.

Registration deadlines

1. Online - Sunday, October 21
2. Paper/PDF - Must be postmarked by Tuesday, October 9
3. In Person - Tuesday, October 9

If you missed the voter registration deadline, you may still register to vote during the grace period or on election day.

FIND ANSWERS

Find answers to many of your voting-related questions online, such as

  • What is my registration status?
  • What is on my upcoming ballot?
  • Where is my polling place?
  • Where is my early voting site?
  • Who are my elected officials?
  • What Is my mail ballot status?

Visit either Suburban Cook County or Chicago voting portals.

Have you moved or changed your name since you last registered? Find out how to re-register to vote.

EARLY VOTING

For the November 6, 2018 General Election, traditional early voting will take place October 22-November 5. See a list of early voting locations and hours.

ABSENTEE / VOTING BY MAIL

Any registered suburban Cook County voter may request a mail ballot using this online application. Once registration is verified and the application is processed, a paper ballot is mailed to the designated address. The deadline to apply is five days before an election.

PARTY AFFILIATION

Voters do not have to register with a party, but they do have to choose, publicly, which party’s ballot they will vote in primary elections.

IN THE VOTING BOOTH

Voters can bring in newspaper endorsements, printouts, sample ballots, and smartphones. You may not take a selfie or photograph your marked ballot.

OPEN OFFICES IN THE November 6, 2018 ELECTIONS

Elections for: 

  • IL Governor and Lieutenant Governor
  • IL Attorney General
  • IL Secretary of State
  • IL Treasurer
  • IL Comptroller
  • State Senate (Skokie is in Senate Districts 8 and 9)
  • State House (Skokie is in House Districts 15, 16, and 17)
  • Commissioners of the Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago
  • President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners
  • Cook County Clerk
  • Cook County Treasurer
  • Cook County Assessor
  • Cook County Commissioners
  • Cook County Sheriff
  • Commissioner of the Board of Review (Property Tax Appeals) (Districts 2 and 3)
  • Circuit and Sub-Circuit Judges (to fill vacancies as needed)

VIEW CANDIDATES

RESEARCH CANDIDATES

To learn more about the candidates, view one of the voting guides provided by:

The League of Women Voters - Illinois Voter Guide

Chicago Sun-Times  2018 Illinois Election Voting Guide

The BGA (Better Government Association) - Voters Guide

REFERENDA

View a list of referenda on the ballot for the November 6, 2018 election.

JUDGES

Visit the Voteforjudges.org mobile-friendly website for judicial evaluation results from The Alliance of Bar Associations for Judicial Screening.

The Illinois Civil Justice League (ICJL) includes its own ratings and evaluations from bar associations and newspaper endorsements.

Note: Bringing a cellphone into a voting booth isn't against the law, though election judges have discretion on its usage. Additionally, you may want to write down your list of judicial candidates on a piece of paper to bring into the booth with you as some polling places ban the use of cellphones altogether.


CAMPAIGN FINANCE DISCLOSURE

For information on how candidates and committees raise and spend money in federal elections, visit the Federal Election Commission.