October 2022

What’s the best way to make sure your voice is heard? Vote! Voting is your right and your power.

It is essential that every single person in every single community exercise their power.

When? Right now. Early voting is available in every voting district in the state. Your polling place is open and waiting for you.

In Illinois, our right to vote is one of the best protected and most accessible in the country. We can: 

• vote early, to accommodate a variety of schedules
• vote by mail, from the comfort of our home
• register in person and vote on the same day
• vote with assistance

By protecting our right to vote, our elected representatives have shown that they believe democracy is powered by the voices of voters, voices that are heard at the ballot box.

It is now up to each of us to show that we, too, believe in our democracy—by taking our power to the ballot box. Voting is how we will make lasting change.

Do you want someone in government to listen to you?

Vote for someone who will.

Do you care about an issue? Passionately?

Vote for someone who cares in the same way.

Environment, education, food security, healthcare, housing, jobs, racism, safety—listen to candidates tell you how they will tackle the issues that matter most to you.

Then tell them what you think. Vote. 

None of us can do this alone. Expand your power by motivating the people in your life to get out and vote.

Our democracy depends on it.

Don't wake up on November 9th and wish that you had used your power.

Use it today.

Vote.

Election Day is less than a month away!

Are you ready to vote? 

When you don't vote, you allow other voters to make choices for you.

Make your own choices.

VOTE.

The Illinois Voter Guide has everything you need.

You have a right to free, fair and accessible elections.

If you feel your right to vote is being challenged because you can't access the polling place, can't read your ballot, or you simply don't understand the instructions, contact the Election Protection Hotline.

With voter helplines available in multiple languages, Election Protection is a crucial resource for all voters.This nonpartisan coalition of volunteers headed up by the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights works year-round to make sure all voters have an opportunity to vote and have their vote count.

See your candidates in an LWVIL forum.

A nonpartisan League forum is, in many ways, a job interview, where voters are able to see the job-seeker in action and decide whether or not they will vote to hire them. 

This election season, Illinois Leagues will host close to 50 forums around the state, many on Zoom and accessible to most people with internet access.

Local Leagues cover as many races as possible, inviting all candidates who appear on the ballot. Times and dates are negotiated, candidates agree to the League’s ground rules, League moderators are trained to maintain neutrality, and all candidates are given the same opportunity to answer questions from the public. The League format and League-trained moderators have successfully delivered nonpartisan candidate information to Illinois voters for decades. 

In situations where only one candidate is available, it is League policy not to hold a forum. The available candidate is allowed 2 minutes to make a position statement. For this reason, Leagues work hard to coordinate and accommodate schedules, choosing times and dates when incumbents are likely to be in town, and using Zoom platforms for additional flexibility. When schedules cannot be coordinated or candidates decline to participate in a forum, it is always a loss to Illinois voters. 

Watch a forum! Get an unfiltered look at those who are seeking the job of representing you. Find upcoming forums on the candidate forum page of the LWV of Illinois website. If you are unable to attend or wish to review a forum, recordings can be found in the Illinois Voter Guide and on the LWV of Illinois website.

The League never supports candidates or parties. The League supports voters.

Amendment 1 is at the top of every Illinois ballot.

Every Illinois voter will find a statewide ballot measure at the top of their ballot—voters are being asked to vote for or against Amendment 1, which would add to the Bill of Rights of the Illinois state constitution. Amendment 1 involves collective bargaining, and is sometimes referred to at the Worker’s Rights Amendment. 

The League of Women Voters of Illinois does not have a position on this ballot measure. The League only takes a position on an issue after extensive member study and consensus. These positions are the basis for the League’s advocacy. Further information on League positions can be found on the LWV of Illinois website. 

If passed, this amendment would make Illinois the first state in the country to ban laws that exempt workers from paying union dues. Because laws that exempt workers from paying union dues are sometimes called “right to work” laws, and Amendment 1 is often referred to as the Worker’s Rights Amendment, the information can be confusing. 

Voters are encouraged to research this issue. One source of information is the Illinois Secretary of State office's pamphlet explaining Amendment 1. As you explore additional sources, be mindful of bias, and be prepared to vote yes or no for Amendment 1.  

See the ballot measure when you check out your ballot at lllinoisVoterGuide.org.

Help protect our democracy.

Gather friends and family and sign up to work the polls on November 8! Our democracy depends on people like you to make sure elections run smoothly and everyone's vote is counted. Make a big difference on Election Day by helping to ensure safe, fair, and efficient elections for all.

Spread the word.

Voters are the heartbeat of democracy—help people find the information they need to vote for what they believe in.

Download and share the 2022 election calendar and Illinois Voter Guide materials. Carry the Illinois Voter Guide QR code with you. Be a resource for anyone looking for nonpartisan voting information on how to register, find their polling place, see their sample ballot and learn about candidate stances on issues.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Share our public education events and election information with friends.

Support the League.

Protect democracy—donate to LWV of Illinois. 

Voter education fuels voter turnout. Voters protect democracy. 

The League has been educating voters for 102 years. When you give to LWV of Illinois, you support the trusted, nonpartisan resources voters turn to for information they need, so they can vote their values.

The Illinois Voter Guide is the only guide where every voter in the state can find information on their local races, no matter their zip code.

LWV of Illinois' nonpartisan candidate forums are organized and moderated by trained local League members. This year, LWV of Illinois has already trained more than 50 forum moderators and more than 85 forum coordinators, with more trainings to come.

Please choose to protect democracy this election season by supporting our nonpartisan education efforts. 

Democracy relies on voters. Vote your values.

October 23

Last day for online voter registration. You can still register and vote in person on the same day at your polling place.

October 24

First day to vote early at permanent polling places.

November 3

Last day for election authority to receive vote by mail applications.

November 8 General Election Day

Polls are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. If you are in line before the polls close, you must be allowed to vote.

Run for office.

Make an impact in your community by running for office in the municipal elections this spring! November and December are the months for filling for elective office in your community. Learn more about how to run for office in Illinois.