A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF ILLINOIS

October 2026

Halloween season is extra scary this year, as we are less than a month away from the November 3 elections, but LWV Illinois has been working hard to prepare. We have trained more than 200 nonpartisan poll watchers, and many of our members will be serving as election judges. 

Due to an influx of voter registrations and lower-than-usual number of vote by mail ballots requested, election authorities across the state are struggling to find enough election judges to properly staff the polls. Do you know any high school junior or seniors who might be interested in a day off school and a cool $200 or so in their pocket? Check out your election authority's website and look for the Student Judge application. Are you able to serve your community for one long day, and also come away with some $$? Please, please, please recruit a friend and consider applying to be election judges together. 

We are also getting out the vote across the state with educational billboards and online ads, and you can help! Make a $1,000 donation to sponsor a billboard and increase voter turnout.

In League,

Becky Simon, President

bsimon@lwvil.org

Unite and Rise for Democracy

Our country is in a constitutional crisis. Through Unite and Rise 8.5, the League of Women Voters is engaging and mobilizing 8.5 million voters to protect and preserve our democracy. Here's what we're working on:

Public Mobilization & Coalition Building

• No Kings: On October 17, join a No Kings event near you to participate in this day of nonpartisan voter participation, being in community with each other, and making sure every eligible voter has a plan, knows their options, and is ready to make their voice count.
• Urgent Text Alerts: The League is dedicated to ensuring safe and fair elections for all. If there is a need for urgent action to defend democracy, we want to be able to reach you quickly. Opt in to receive alerts via text message. This system is solely for critical democracy alerts—we will not use it to ask for donations or to advertise events.

Legal & Policy Advocacy

• Census Advocacy: The US Census Bureau announced sweeping changes to how we count people on the census. The proposed rule would severely distort population counts, create inaccurate representations of communities during apportionment and redistricting, and disrupt how state and local governments plan essential public services. Submit a comment opposing these changes. The comment period has been extended to November 2.
• Protecting Vote by Mail: LWVUS joined with other voting rights organizations as plaintiffs in the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump. In a major win for voting rights, election integrity, and democracy, the US Supreme Court left in place a preliminary injunction that blocks the US Postal Service (USPS) from enforcing key parts of a new rule that would have significantly restricted mail voting and disenfranchised voters who rely on mail ballots. The preliminary injunction will remain in place through the November 3 election.
• Unlawful Voter Initiative: LWVUS responded to new whistleblower allegations that US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officials directed personnel to use voter registration and citizenship data to identify and investigate purported noncitizen voters, including naturalized US citizens. The allegations come as the League remains in active litigation challenging the federal government’s expansion and use of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system for voter verification. 
• League in Action: Download the app today to keep up with legislative action opportunities.

Civic Education & Engagement

• Healthcare Affordability Crisis: Healthcare costs are rising—and remain a significant concern for voters. But what can be done? Experts recently joined the League to explore policy reforms proposed by advocates across the healthcare spectrum. Watch the recording.
• Trainings: LWVIL has been preparing for the November election with training sessions for League of Women Voters members to learn how to be a poll watcher, how to moderate a candidate forum, and how to organize candidate forums. Join the League to participate in these trainings and take part in your community's elections.

Are You Ready for Election Day?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3! Here's what you need to know.

What's on your ballot? VOTE411.org has all the information you need about the candidates running in your community.

Early voting is available statewide. Check VOTE411.org or consult your election authority for times and locations. Do consider voting early this election due to potentially long lines on Election Day if enough election judges are not found.

Voting by mail? Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. Due to postmark changes made by the USPS, we recommend that you return your ballot as early as possible (and at least one week in advance) to ensure it is postmarked by Election Day or return it directly to a secured drop box before or on Election Day. Check VOTE411.org for drop box locations.

If you're voting in person on Election Day, input your address at VOTE411.org to find your polling place. Polls are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm.

You can still register to vote in person and vote the same day at your early voting site or Election Day polling place. Online voter registration is also available until October 18.

Do YOU have a voting plan? Share VOTE411.org as the one-stop shop for election info with your network so they can be prepared to vote. Choose 3–5 specific friends or family members and shepherd them through getting registered or checking to make sure their registration is up to date, then making THEIR voting plan—and do whatever you need to do to get them to their polling places by November 3! 

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Defend Democracy With Us in 2026

Our 2026 Campaign to Safeguard Democracy aims to raise $100,000 for our statewide online voter guide, candidate forums, and fight against efforts to dismantle expansion of voter access.

We're 82% of the way there! Thank you to our growing list of generous donors who have given over $82,000 so far. Make your donation today.