Early voting underway in Illinois, starts soon in Iowa: What Quad Cities voters need to know

QUAD CITIES (KWQC) - Election Day is just weeks away, and early voting is officially underway in Illinois, with Iowa voters soon to follow.

Voters across both states will decide high-stakes races on Tuesday, Nov. 3, including open U.S. Senate seats, the governor’s office, and congressional and local legislative districts.

Because Illinois and Iowa operate under distinctly different election guidelines, here is a quick breakdown of early voting timelines and voting laws on both sides of the river:

✔️ Illinois: Early voting is open

• When voting starts: Early in-person and vote-by-mail ballots opened Thursday, Sept. 24.
• Where to go: In-person early voting is available at county election authority offices and designated satellite locations.
• Vote by mail: No excuse is required to vote by mail. Election authorities must receive mail ballot applications by Oct. 29. Completed ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3.
• ID requirements: Photo ID is not required for voters who are already properly registered at their current address. First-time registrants or anyone updating an address must provide two forms of identification, with at least one listing their current address.
• Registration deadlines: Paper registration closes Oct. 6, and online registration ends Oct. 18. In-person grace-period registration remains open through Election Day.

✔️ Iowa: Early voting begins in October

• When voting starts: In-person absentee voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 14, and runs through Monday, Nov. 2. County auditors will also begin mailing absentee ballots on Oct. 14.
• Vote by mail: Absentee ballot request forms must reach your county auditor’s office by 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 19. Ballots must be returned to the auditor’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day (Nov. 3) to be counted.
• ID requirements: Valid photo ID is required for all Iowa voters at the polls. Accepted IDs include an Iowa driver’s license, non-operator ID, Iowa voter ID card, U.S. passport, military or veteran ID, or tribal ID. Voters lacking an ID can have their identity vouched for under oath by an eligible voter from their precinct.
• Registration deadlines: The pre-registration deadline is Oct. 19. Iowans can also register and vote on the same day during early voting or at their polling place on Election Day by showing proof of identity and residence.

Voters can check their registration status, find polling locations, and verify sample ballots by visiting the Illinois State Board of Elections or the Iowa Secretary of State websites.