How, when, and where to vote in Champaign County in the November 2024 general election
Voting isn’t just a right, it’s a responsibility and a privilege. All elections have consequences for our future.
On Nov. 5, 2024, voters across the United States will go to the polls to elect thousands of public officials — local, state, and federal — to be our decision makers in the halls of power, as well as to approve or reject any referendum questions that have been placed on the ballot. Some of these candidates already won a primary election in March (against members of their own party) in order to represent their party on the November ballot.
The main goal of this article is to make it as easy as possible for Champaign County voters to cast their ballots in this general election, whether you vote by mail, vote early — it’s possible to do it RIGHT NOW! — or vote on Election Day itself. Read on to find out how, when, and where you can vote.
The election information in this post is compiled by Chambanamoms.com as a courtesy, and we do our best to keep it accurate and up-to-date. The Office of the Champaign County Clerk is the authoritative source of all election information in Champaign County. For election information in other East Central Illinois counties, see links below.
What’s on the ballot?
While 2024 is a presidential election year, as you may have heard, other elected offices are up for grabs as well. Among the races in our area this November: U.S. congressional representative, Illinois state senator, Illinois state representative, Champaign County officials and board representatives, and several referendum questions (state, county, township, park district, fire protection district, and school district) as well as judicial retentions.
In short, it’s quite a smorgasbord.
How do I know if I am registered to vote?
The Champaign County Clerk’s website features a handy voter information portal that lets you confirm your registration, identify your nearest polling place, view a sample ballot, learn what districts or races you vote in — all in one fell swoop.
Redistricting in Illinois occurs each decade based on updated census figures, so some district boundaries may have changed since the last time you voted.
If you have never voted in Champaign County, you may still need to register to vote. Find voter registration information here; there are many ways to register up to and including the date of the election.
How can I prepare to vote?
Again from the voter information portal on the Champaign County Clerk’s website, enter your voter info into the voter portal and click “sample ballot.” This link will give you the entire ballot to view, personalized to your voting address, so you know what candidates or referendum questions you need to research.
One of the best places to gather non-partisan information about races in Champaign County is votechampaign.org. You can also check the YouTube channel of the League of Women Voters of Champaign County for any candidate/informational forums. If your school district has a referendum on the ballot — we’re looking at you, Mahomet-Seymour and Thomasboro — remember that state law allows district officials to put out “factual information” about the referendum but not to urge a yes or no vote.
How do I vote by mail?
All voters are eligible to vote by mail; you must simply request, complete, and return the ballot on time. All ballots come with a postage-paid envelope. A newer option for Illinois voters is to get on the Continuing Vote By Mail List, where one request covers all subsequent elections and your ballots will be automatically mailed to you.
The last day the county clerk will fulfill a vote-by-mail request for a single election is five days prior to the election, or Oct. 31. (A ballot may be requested online, over the phone, or by mail, as long as your request is received by Oct. 31.)
- For your ballot to be counted, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day — Nov. 5, 2024.
- All vote by mail ballots come with tracking, meaning you will know when your ballot is en route to you and when it has been received by the county clerk.
- You may also choose to return your ballot in an authorized drop box by 7 p.m. on Nov. 5.
What is a ballot drop box? Where are they located?
These are 24-hour-accessible, ¼-inch steel, waterproof, highly secure boxes that are permanently screwed into cement pads at 11 locations (under “Returning Your Ballot”) in Champaign, Urbana, and other Champaign County locations. The contents of each dropbox are retrieved daily by two election judges — one from each party — and taken directly to the county clerk’s office, rather than using the postal service. The tracking on your ballot will let you know when it has been secured at its destination (usually updated within 48 hours).
When and where can I vote early?
Here’s the fine print on early voting: “All eligible voters can vote early and they can vote at ANY of the early voting locations. Once a voter has voted early, they cannot rescind that vote. It is final.” A ballot is printed on the spot for each early voter, so your ballot will include only the races tied to your address of record.
Early voting for the November 2024 election opened on Sept. 26 — 40 days before Election Day — at the Brookens Administrative Center, 1776 E. Washington St., Urbana. The closest parking for voting is on the north side of Brookens, off Art Bartell Road. Additional early voting sites throughout the county will open two weeks before Election Day.
For the complete list of early voting sites and their operating days/times, visit this website.
Can I vote early even if I requested a ballot by mail?
Yes. According to the county clerk, just take your vote by mail ballot with you to your polling place, surrender it to the election judge, and they will issue you a new ballot to vote in person. (If you do not have your vote by mail ballot, you may ask the election judge to let you sign an affidavit stating that you will destroy it.) You are encouraged to use your vote by mail ballot if you have it. If you’re not comfortable mailing it back, you can take it to a drop box as described above.
Where can I find voting information for other counties?
Piatt County | Douglas County | Vermilion County | Ford County
For additional counties in Illinois, check the Illinois Board of Elections list of election authorities.
Where’s my polling place on Election Day? What precinct am I in? Does it matter?
On Election Day, the county’s polling places are all open from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. You may check the County Clerk’s website for the most up-to-date listing of open polling places, as this information may change according to last-minute factors such as availability of trained election judge volunteers.
All polling places in Champaign County are “voting centers” which means they are universally open to all voters or anyone eligible to be a voter in Champaign County. While each of us technically is assigned a home polling place in proximity to our home address, there is no longer any need to vote at that location if another location is closer to work, childcare, or that day’s errands. Your personalized ballot will be printed for you at whatever location you visit.
This means that if you encounter a long line at one location, you can leave and go to any other polling location to cast your vote in person.
Reminder: if you are in line at any polling place when it closes, you have the right to cast your vote.
What ID should I bring to vote?
Generally, no identification or “voter card” is required to vote at the polling place. If you have not changed your voter registration address or name since the last election and your signature matches the signature on your registration, you should not need to show ID.
If you have updated your voter registration address or name, or your signature does not match, you may be asked for ID. If you are concerned at all about your identification, we’ve linked to valid forms of ID voters can use.
Can I bring my kids to vote?
Voting is exciting! Yes, kids are allowed at the polls through the whole process. If you’re lucky enough to have a polling location that uses curtains for privacy, they’ll love that — I know mine do. Early voting is a great way to bring the kids – typically no lines.
Can I post a selfie of me and my ballot?
Um … photographing a marked ballot is actually a felony in Illinois. Proceed at your own risk.
No matter what your ideology, we all need to make sure we make our voices heard. So GO VOTE! And then flaunt your “I Voted” sticker for all to see.
