"The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semiautomatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety." League of Women Voters Impact on Issues 2020-2022
June 2022

In the United States, we have more guns per capita than in any other country.

In the United States, our grim reality is that mass shootings occur more often than in any other country with a developed economy.

This is unacceptable. We must do the work to change this reality. The change we want to see will take time; the problems are many and deeply rooted. We simply have to start. 

The LWV of the United States has asked the House and Senate Judiciary Committees for comprehensive legislative reform to reduce gun violence and increase public safety for the nation. 

What can we do? We all must all raise our voices.
  • To our current legislators - Work with each other. Do what needs to be done to end gun violence. We will hold you accountable. 
  • At the ballot box - our votes send a clear message to those we elect: we expect you to promote and protect our values. 

Our Illinois primary election day is June 28. Early voting has started.

Refuse to accept our grim reality Put your outrage to work, 
  • Research candidates. 
  • Find those that will uphold what YOU value.
  • Vote

Activate your family, friends and neighbors. Make sure they vote.
Change starts with your voice.
Vote.
President
League of Women Voters of Illinois 
"Gun violence prevention is not partisan. Study the candidates who will be on your...ballot and learn their positions on gun violence prevention."

Vote for what is important to you. Every vote counts.
Illinois General Primary Election: June 28 
Illinois Primary Election Calendar
  • June 1–28: Voting at election authority and polling sites
  • June 12: Last day of online voter registration. In person registration continues at the polls through election day; register and vote at the same time
  • June 13: First day of early voting at permanent polling places, and Vote by Mail ballot drop off. See Illiniois Voter Guide for your dropbox locations
  • June 23: Last day for election authority to receive vote by mail applications
  • June 28: General Primary Election Day! Polls are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. Make sure your vote by mail ballot is postmarked on or before June 28th!
Make your plan to vote!
The Illinois Voter Guide is your one-stop shop for nonpartisan voting information, no matter where you live in Illinois. This online, statewide voter resource has the information you need to make your plan to vote.
  • research your candidates
  • make your choices
  • save a copy of the ballot to take with you if you are voting in person
First things first: check your voter registration, and register to vote.
  • Online voter registration ends June 12 in Illinois
  • Register and vote in person on the same day at your polling place from now through election day, June 28

Use the Illinois Voter Guide to find the location of vote by mail drop boxes, and the times and locations of your in person polling places (early voting and election day).
  • Early voting began May 19 in many Illinois locations
  • June 13 is the first day of early voting at permanent polling locations; also the first day to drop off vote by mail ballots.

Enter your address in the Illinois Voter Guide and see what's on your ballot.
  • See your ballot information in English or Spanish.
Find out where candidates stand on issues.
The Illinois Voter Guide includes nonpartisan information about the candidates on your ballot, including the judges.

Candidate information includes responses to a set of questions LWVIL sends to state and federal candidates. Voters can see who answered (and possibly who didn't) before deciding how to vote.

The Illinois Voter Guide includes recordings of many of the League's candidate forums. You can also find candidate forum recordings on the LWVIL website.
Help others be heard at the ballot box
Use the Illinois Voter Guide to help increase voter turnout by informing and empowering every voter you know. Help voters find the information they need. 

Download and share the handy Illinois Voter Guide graphics found on the LWVIL website.
Candidate Forum Calendar & Recordings
Candidate forums are a League hallmark and an excellent opportunity for community members to learn about their candidates. Check out our statewide candidate forum calendar for forum dates and recordings.  Forum recordings are also available in the Illinois Voter Guide for maximum accessibility. 

Gubernatorial Candidate Debate, June 2, 7:00 pm 
LWVIL is partnering with ABC7 and Univision to hold a Republican gubernatorial candidate debate. The debate will be broadcast live from the studio on June 2 at 7:00 pm on ABC7 digital channel 7.2, live-streamed on abc7chicago.com, and aired live in Spanish on univisionchicago.com.

The debate will also air June 3 at 10:35 pm on ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago and be available on demand at abc7chicago.com. Univision Chicago/WBGO-TV will air a half hour version of the debate June 11 at 5:00 pm.

An LWVIL Democratic gubernatorial candidate debate was not held due to unmet LWVIL candidate criteria for a debate/forum.
Choose a ballot for the June 28 primary
In Illinois primary elections, voters must declare a party affiliation in order to receive a ballot. This is because Illinois primary elections are considered partisan primary elections—voters vote a ballot listing only candidates from either the Democratic or Republican parties. 


NOTE: In the general election on the first Tuesday in November, Illinois voters receive only one ballot, listing candidates from all parties.
Registering to vote for the first time?
You can register online through June 12. You can also register in person and vote the same day at your polling location.

When registering in person, you need two forms of identification, one of which must list your current address. The following are acceptable forms of ID:
  • Passport or Military ID
  • Driver's License or State ID card
  • College/University/School/Work ID
  • Vehicle registration card
  • Lease, mortgage or deed to home
  • Credit or debit card
  • Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid card
  • Insurance card
  • Civic, union or professional membership card
  • LINK/Public Aid/Department of Human Services card
  • Illinois FOID card
  • Mail of the following types addressed to you
  • Bill, transcript, or school report card
  • Bank statement, pay stub, or pension statement
  • Utility, medical, or insurance bill
  • Official mail from any government agency

For more information, please visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
Educational Events
In Illinois, forty local Leagues regularly host virtual events related to both voter education and action on issues. Events are open to the public. See the LWVIL website events calendar.
Stay up to date!
Follow the League of Women Voters of Illinois on social media. Share the message.
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