Early voting for the upcoming Presidential Primary Election, set to take place on March 17, starts Monday, March 2, and will continue through March 16.

According to the Cook County Clerk's office, voters "do not need to provide an excuse or reason why they cannot vote on Election Day" in order to vote early. Government ID cards are not required, but they may be helpful if questions about "registration, address or signature" arise. Voters may also expedite the process if they have ID cards available.

"You can register to vote at all early vote sites," the Clerk's office explained. "Any voter who needs to register for the first time or file an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter's current address."

The following is a list of early voting sites in each of the West Side wards within Austin Weekly News' coverage area, according to the Chicago Board of Elections:

Ward 24: St. Agatha Parish | 3147 W. Douglas Blvd.

Ward 28: West Side Learning Center | 4624 W. Madison (on March 16, the site will remain open through 7 p.m.) 

Ward 29: Amundsen Park | 6200 W. Bloomingdale 

Ward 37: West Chicago Avenue Library | 4856 W. Chicago Ave. 

Early voting is available March 2 through March 16, at the following times: 

Monday, March 2 – Saturday, March 7: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Sunday, March 8: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, March 9 – Friday, March 13: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Saturday, March 14: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Sunday, March 15: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Monday, March 16: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Note that on March 16, all six permanent sites will remain open through 7 p.m. 

CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com