Consolidated Election 2025 Early Voting Starts March 17 In Palos

PALOS, IL — If you're going to be out of town or can't handle the pressure of voting on election day—April 1 — early voting starts Monday, March 17, in suburban Cook County for the 2025 Illinois consolidated election.

Every other year in odd numbered years, elections are held for municipal, school, park, library, township and other local governmental bodies.

All registered Cook County voters are eligible to vote at a Cook County early voting center. The Cook County Clerk's Office offers additional information about voter registration and finding your polling place on election day.

Suburban voters can also find their election day polling location and who is on their ballot by visiting “Your Voter Information” on the Cook County Clerk’s website.

Also, there are a number of write-in candidates. Only votes for candidates who filed a Write-in Candidate Declaration of Intent form with the Cook County Clerk will be counted. (Write-in votes for Mickey Mouse, Bart Simpson, Michael Jordan and the like will not be counted.)

Casting a vote for a write-in candidate:

On a paper ballot:

On the write-in line, print the name of the candidate, then mark the corresponding oval.

On a touchscreen:

On the bottom of the list of candidates, press the “write-in” box. When the keyboard appears, type in the name of the write-in candidate and press “OK.”

Validity of write-in votes:

According to the Cook County Clerk: “Complete accuracy of a write-in candidate’s name is not necessary as long as the election judges can determine a voter’s intent to select a specific write-in candidate. There should be some relationship between the appearance or sound of the name written or printed on the ballot and that of the write-in candidate’s actual name.

Early voting for Palos voters starts March 17 and continues through March 31. Voters do not need to give a reason why they cannot make it to the polls on election day.

There are 51 early voting locations in suburban Cook County, including the Bridgeview, Markham, Maybrook, Skokie and Rolling Meadows courthouses.

Voter registration is also available at early voting sites, but you need to fill out an application and vote that day. Bring a government ID (driver's license, state ID, passport) along with two pieces of mail with your current address, such as a utility bill, lease, bank statement, etc.

Also, there are a number of write-in candidates. Only votes for candidates who filed a Write-in Candidate Declaration of Intent form with the Cook County Clerk will be counted. (Write-in votes for Mickey Mouse, Bart Simpson, Michael Jordan and the like will not be counted.)

Find a convenient early voting location near you on the Cook County Clerk's website. Early voting sites will be open during the following hours:

• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 17 through March 22, March 24 through March 28, March 29 and March 31.
• 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 23 and March 30
• 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 24 through March 28, and March 31 at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave.

Early voting will start March 17 at the following locations:

• Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave.
• Alsip Village Hall, 4500 W. 123rd St.
• Crestwood Civic Center, 13820 S. Cicero Ave.
• Palos Heights Recreation Center, 6601 W. 127th St.
• Burbank (Prairie Trails Library Dist.), 8449 S. Moody Ave.

Mail-in ballot drop boxes are also available at these locations.