Voters who are registered in the city have until Feb. 21 to early vote before the Feb. 24 election. Voters need no reason or excuse to early vote. Government photo identification is required. All sites are open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some sites open on Sundays. Voters can only vote at polling places in their precincts to which they have been assigned. To find your precinct information, visit chicagoelections.com.
More little known facts about local voting (from the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners website):
Yes, employees are entitled to two hours off work, if:
a) “The employee gives the employer notice, prior to Election Day (the Election Code does not specify what type of notice is required);
b) “The employer may specify the hours during which the employee may be absent;
c) “The employer must permit a 2-hour absence during hours if the employee’s working time begins starts before 7:59 a.m. (within two hours of the open of polls) and the end time is after 5:01 p.m. (within two hours of the close of polls).
“No employer shall refuse an employee the privilege of time off from work nor subject the employee to a penalty, including a reduction in compensation due to such an absence from work.”
If you make mistakes while voting:
“If you have not cast your ballot yet and you notice a mistake in your selections on the touch screen, go back and touch that choice again and then make the selection you intended. If you make a mistake on a paper ballot, you must ask the judge for a new paper ballot.”
