voters'
CORNER
preparing to vote
Whether you're a first-time voter or you've never missed an election, this page will help you get ready for this year's elections. More information can be found in the library on the second floor, at the Informed Voter Corner.
First time voter? Start here to learn about the voting process:
Register to Vote
STEP 1
Check if you're registered to vote: search by name or address to determine registration status.
STEP 2
Not registered? Register now! Online registration is available for the General Primary Election until March 1, 2026. It will reopen on March 19, 2026, two days after the election. Visit Voter Registration for more information.
HOW TO VOTE
REGISTRATION DEADLINES
You must register at least 28 days prior to an election in order to vote in that election. You can register by mail or in person.
Following the close of registration, Illinois allows for "Grace Period" Registration and Voting beginning the 27th day prior until the day before an election. During the Grace Period, you must vote at the same time that you register. Online registration is available through the 15th day prior to Election Day. On Election Day, you may register to vote and vote at the same time, but only at your designated polling location. You will need an I.D. to register, but not to vote.
VOTE IN PERSON
- Prepare to vote by checking your sample ballot.
- Vote early by visiting any early voting location
- Vote on election day by finding your polling place
- Arrive early and plan to spend time in line
- If you fill out a paper ballot: only use the writing utensil provided
- If you fill out a touch-screen ballot: ask for help if you need it
- Did you know? You can bring a list of your chosen candidates with you into the ballot box!
VOTE BY MAIL
- Apply to vote by mail using any of the following methods:
- Submit an online application
- Any eligible DuPage County registered voter may Vote by Mail beginning 40 days prior to an Election.
- Download or pick up an application at the DuPage County Registration Location, and mail to: DuPage County Election Commission, P.O. Box 1087, Wheaton, IL 60187
- Call the DuPage County Election Commission 630-407-5600, Spanish 630-407-5608, TDD: 630-407-5631
- Submit an online application
- Once your application is received, ballots will be mailed upon availability.
- The last day to mail a ballot to a voter is the Thursday (five days) prior to the election.
- Mail-in votes must be postmarked no later than the day of the election to be considered valid and counted.
- New postmark rules: "Postmark" has been redefined to mean the date a piece of mail is processed by the post office, not the day it is dropped off. Plan to mail your ballot several days before election day, or, if you do wait until election day, either use a ballot drop box, or go into the post office and have the clerk postmark it right then. Find more information at Ballotpedia.
- Drop-off votes must be returned in a secure dropbox in the county in which you reside. Find a DuPage County drop box.
- Nearby drop boxes: Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building, 421 N County Farm Rd. Wheaton; any DuPage County early voting and polling place
- Track vote-by-mail ballots
Please contact the DuPage County Election Division for additional information: 630-407-5600.
important dates
More information on dates and times at the DuPage Election Commission.
2/5/26 - First day vote-by-mail ballots will begin to be mailed out
2/5/26 - First day to vote by mail
2/5/26 - Early voting begins (tentatively)
2/17/26 - Last day of regular voter registration
2/18/26 - First day of grace period registration and voting
3/1/26 - Last day of online voter registration
3/12/26 - Last day Election Authority will mail a vote-by-mail ballot
3/16/26 - Last day of early voting
3/17/36 - Last day of grace period registration and voting
3/17/26 - General primary election in-person voting day
3/17/26 - Vote-by-mail ballot must be postmarked by election day to be counted*
*New postmark rules: "Postmark" has been redefined to mean the date a piece of mail is processed by the post office, not the day it is dropped off. Plan to mail your ballot several days before election day, or, if you do wait until election day, either use a ballot drop box, or go into the post office and have the clerk postmark it right then. Find more information at Ballotpedia.
candidates & issues
These nonpartisan resources can help inform voters:
- Ballotpedia - Links to DuPage County elections. Limited information available.
- Vote411 - Non-partisan information compiled by the League of Women Voters
- Points of View Reference Center (through Downers Grove Public Library Databases)
- VoteSmart.org - Non-partisan information (three free views before an account is required)
Voting Guides for the 2026 Primary Election*:
*DISCLAIMER: The following voting guide is to assist voters in beginning their candidate research for the upcoming primary election, to be held March 17, 2026.
Federal and State candidate profile information was compiled directly from the non-partisan websites VoteSmart and Ballotpedia. Information across candidates is not uniform, as there is not the same information available for each candidate. Sources are linked on each page, and they will take you to the candidate profile on each of these sites, where you may find additional information.
Most County candidates do not receive in-depth profiles on these two websites, beyond a listing. As such, candidates are linked to their campaign website, social media, or, if already in a position, their county profile. If no information for the current campaign was available, that has been noted next to their name.
The Downers Grove Public Library does not endorse any candidate or advise patrons which candidates to vote for. The library provides resources for patrons to help inform decisions, but does not interpret the information on behalf of the patron.