Live Updates: Elections 2020 In Illinois

In a year of national tumult induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, social unrest and an economic downturn that threw millions out of their jobs, a record number of Illinoisans have already turned out to vote early in what some say is the most important election of their lifetimes.

Today, on the official Election Day, voters get their last chance to have their say.

Polls opened at 6 a.m. in Chicago. Find your polling place here.

This election cycle, Illinois voters will not only cast a ballot for president, they’ll also vote for a slew of down ballot races: U.S. Senator, congressman, state senator, state representative and a number of judges. (Look up the judges in Cook County).

In Democrat-heavy Cook County, the State’s Attorney’s race is historically decided in the primary. But this year, incumbent Kim Foxx appears to have a viable Republican challenger, Pat O’Brien.

There’s also a crucial ballot question concerning the state income tax. It’s binding, meaning if it passes statewide, the Illinois constitution will be changed to give the state legislature authority to amend the income tax rate. There are three Chicago-based ballot questions as well, but those are not binding and are more like opinion polls.

And with eyes toward the U.S. House and Senate, and questions about the potential for seats to flip Democratic or Republican, some voters in Illinois will get a chance to choose representatives for some key House races.

With so many mailed-in ballots being cast this election, and various states’ rules and laws that govern how and when they can be counted, questions remain about just how quickly the presidential and major races will be called. In Illinois, the same question lingers for the state’s potential income tax amendment.

Those with mailed ballots can fill them out and submit them at a secured drop box. While all early voting sites have secure drop boxes, some precincts will not have drop boxes available on Election Day.

For those looking for another drop box option, the Chicago Board of Elections will be placing boxes outside both city Major League Baseball stadiums. One will be outside Wrigley Field at the Gallagher Way Gate on Clark Street. The Guaranteed Rate Field drop box will be on Shields Avenue just north of 35th Street.

For those voters who have lost their mail-in-ballots or would rather vote in-person, you can either turn in your ballot at your polling place and vote immediately, or request a provisional ballot at your polling site that will be counted within 14 days of the election.