Thursday marks the first official date Illinoisans can cast their ballots in the 2024 election. State law allows Illinois citizens to vote in the 40 days prior to election day on November 5, and voters do not need to declare an excuse why they need to early vote.

Election Day is still 40 days away, but election season kicks off Thursday throughout much of Illinois. That’s when in-person early voting begins in many parts of the state, including the collar counties of DuPage,

With 40 days until the election, Illinois residents can vote early at their local county clerks’ office. Vote-by-mail ballots should arrive soon, but there is still time to apply for one.