Step Three: Make a Voting Plan and Vote!

It is critical that you follow the directions for your specific state to ensure your vote is counted on time. Also make sure to follow all of the directions on your ballot to ensure your vote is counted. 

• Illinois
• Please see the Illinois State Board of Elections’ website for more information and to request your mail-in ballot. 
• Out-of-state
• Click on your state and find more information about voting by mail.
• Track Your Vote
• You can track the status of your ballot by clicking the link above.

Absentee voting by mail is a convenient way for folks who are registered to vote to cast their ballots if they are unable to vote during the early voting period and cannot vote at their polling place on Election Day. Absentee voting is especially convenient for students who are attending a college or university out of state and are registered to vote in their home state. Remember, you cannot register in more than one state!

It is critical that you check the state-specific deadlines for when your ballot needs to be processed to ensure your vote is counted.  Further, read all of the directions on your ballot to ensure your vote is counted properly. 

• In-State
• Chicago 
• Cook County
• Illinois 
• Out-of-state
• Click on your state and find more information on voting absentee. 
• Track Your Vote
• You can track the status of your ballot by clicking the link above. 

Some states have an early voting period, allowing you to vote ahead of Election Day to avoid the crowds. 

• Illinois
• Find information about voting early in Illinois both in person and by mail. 
• Chicago
• The City of Chicago has 51 early voting locations. To figure out which one makes sense for you, click the link above.
• Out-of-state
• Check out this website to see if your state allows for early voting. 

For any form of voting, it is important to have a plan. In-person voting requires a few more logistics, however. Follow these steps:

• Find your polling place
• In order to vote in person, you need to know where to go. Find your polling place here. 
• Plan when to go 
• If possible, try to vote at a time that is less busy. The polls will fill before and after traditional work hours. 
• Bring the necessary identification 
• Different states have different rules about which forms of identification you need on Election Day. To ensure you are prepared, check your state’s rules. 
• Bring your candidate list
• You can bring your candidate list from Ballot Ready to the polls on Election Day. 
• Know your rights
• If anyone prevents you from voting on Election Day, you can contact the Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-687-8683. Please also see Vote.Org’s Voting Rights Guide. 
• Even though lines can get long, remember that even if the polls close while you are in line, you have the right to vote. 
• If you have any questions on Election Day, contact the election authorities for your state. 

Loyola's Lakeshore and Water Tower Campuses have polling places, convenient for Loyola students whose polling place is one of these locations. Just because you live on campus, however, does not mean your polling place is the one located on campus. It is critical that you go to the correct polling place to cast your ballot. To find your specific polling place, click here.

Lakeshore Campus Polling Place

Centennial Forum Student Union (CFSU in Mertz Hall)
1125 W Loyola Ave
Chicago, IL 60660

Water Tower Campus Polling Place

McGuire Hall
1 E Pearson
Chicago, IL 60611