You don’t have to wait until March 17 to cast a ballot in the state’s primary election. Early voting began Feb. 19 at the city’s downtown “super site,” located at 191 N. Clark St. Fifty ward sites will be open for early voting starting March 2.

You can also opt to vote by mail. Election officials say it’s a good idea to apply by March 1 so there’s ample time for you to receive and return your ballot. The official deadline for vote-by-mail applications is 5 p.m. Thursday, March 12; all vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by election day on March 17.

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Below, more information for voters:

Who can vote early?

All registered voters can vote early or vote by mail – no excuse is needed. Chicagoans can vote early at any site in the city, regardless of their residential address.

What if I’m not registered to vote?

If you’re not yet registered to vote, you can do so at any voting site – depending on timing. If you want to vote early, head to any of the voting sites in the city through March 16. If you prefer to wait until election day on March 17, you have to go to the polling place assigned to your home precinct. (Find your polling place here.)

Note: If you’re registering to vote for the first time, or need to file a change of address, bring two forms of ID (one must show your current address).

Where can I vote?

Election day, March 17:

Your assigned polling place is open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. Find your assigned polling place for voting on March 17.

Early voting (see map, above, for location details):

• Loop Super Site, now located at 191 N. Clark St.

Feb. 19 through March 1

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

March 2 through March 8

9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday

March 9 through March 13

9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily

Saturday, March 14

9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday

Sunday, March 15

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday

Monday, March 16

9 a.m.-7 p.m.

• 50 Ward Sites

March 2 through March 7

9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

Sunday, March 8

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

March 9 through March 13

9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily

Saturday, March 14

9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sunday, March 15

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Monday, March 16

9 a.m.-5 p.m. (Note: Six “permanent sites” will remain open until 7 p.m.)

• Universities – Chicago State University, University of Illinois at Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University and University of Chicago

March 11 through March 13

10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

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