General Election Fast Facts 6-1-2026       General Election Fast Facts 6-1-20262

For Voters

Important Dates

November 3, 2026 -- General Election

October 6, 2026 Last day to register to vote*
October 18, 2026 Last day to register to vote online**
August 5, 2026 First day to apply for vote-by-mail ballot for a single election*** 
September 24, 2026 First day vote-by-mail ballots can be mailed to voters
October 29, 2026 Last day to apply for vote-by-mail ballot
October 7, 2026 First day to grace register and vote****
November 3, 2026 Last day to grace register and vote****
September 24, 2026 Early voting starts*****
November 2, 2026 Early voting ends
TBD Public Tests at 11:00 am******

 Galesburg Board of Elections "About Us"

* Last day to register to vote or update your voter registration if you wish to vote at your polling place on Election Day.  Voter registration closes 27 days preceding an election.

** Last day to register to vote or update your voter registration online. Online registration takes about five minutes to complete. Click here for Illinois Online Voter Application.

*** Vote-By-Mail-Ballot – An online version of the Application for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot is available by clicking here.

A paper version of the Application for a Vote-By-Mail Ballot is available by clicking here. Print, complete and sign the paper Application for Vote-By-Mail Ballot form. Mail form to Galesburg Board of Elections, PO Box 1387, Galesburg, IL 61402-1387 or call the election office at 309/345-3660 or come to the city election office in person.

(Please note that mailing and delivery of ballots will be mailed beginning 40 days before the election or as soon as ballots are available.)

Permanent Vote-By-Mail Option - Important Note: Voters must choose their political party affiliation to receive a ballot for primary elections.

Voters can join a permanent Vote-By-Mail list to receive a Vote-By-Mail ballot for future elections by clicking here for the online version of the permanent Vote-By-Mail Application or by clicking here for the paper version of the permanent Vote-By-Mail Application.  By choosing this option, voters will automatically receive a Vote-By-Mail ballot for every election mailed directly to them at home or at a temporary address. Important Note: Voters must choose their political party affiliation to receive a ballot for primary elections.

A Secure Ballot Drop Box is located on the City Hall front sidewalk, 55 W. Tompkins St., so voters may submit their Ballot Return Envelopes. If submitted in the drop box, ballots must be received prior to the polls closing (at 7:00 PM) on Election Day. 

**** Grace Period Registration and Voting is only available at the City Election Office.

         Two forms of identification are required to Grace Register & Vote. One form must show who you are, ex: Driver's License or State ID. The other must show where you live, ex: a piece of mail showing your name and current address. You must be prepared to Vote at the same time you Grace Register.

***** Early Voting is only available at the City Election Office.  Government-issued photo ID is not required but is helpful if there is a question about the voter's registration, address or signature.  The Early Voting start date is dependent on ballots being available.

******Public Tests to be held in City Hall Basement Conference Room. Enter City Hall through Public Safety Lobby doors.

Illinois Secretary of State's Safeguards to ensure only U.S. citizens can register-to-vote. For more information click here.

City Election Office is located in City Hall, 55 W Tompkins St, Galesburg, IL 61401

Public Notices

How to Vote

Step 1-Demonstration

  • Before voting, you should be asked if you wish to have a demonstration.
  • Vote only for the number of candidates indicated under the title of the office.
  • Always feel free to ask how to mark the sample ballot.

Step 2-Application

  • You will be asked your name and your application for ballot will be provided.
  • Follow the judge's instruction to complete and sign your application.

Step 3-Verification

  • The paperwork is given to the next set of judges who will verify your address and signature and mark that you voted.

Step 4-Receive Ballot

  • You will be given your ballot. A security sleeve is available in which to place your ballot once you have completed voting.

Step 5-Vote the ballot

  • Enter the next available booth.
  • Vote by darkening the oval to the left of the candidate of your choice. Use only the special black pen, in the booth,  to darken the oval.
  • If you choose to vote for a person not printed on the ballot, you may write the person's name on the blank line above the word "write-in" under the proper office and darken the oval next to that line.
  • DO NOT WRITE A CANDIDATE'S NAME IF HE/SHE IS ALREADY LISTED ON THE BALLOT, it will not count.
  • The write-in line appears only if a candidate has filed a Declaration of Intent to be a Write-in with our office.
  • Check the office to see that you have voted for the correct number of candidates. If you vote for more candidates than the number indicated below the office, it is considered to be an overvote and none of the candidates for the overvoted office receive a vote.
  • The ballot with an overvoted office will not be accepted by the tabulator. A message will appear on the screen indicating there is an overvoted office on the ballot.
  • The election judge will encourage you to take the ballot back, return it to the table where you received it and get another ballot.
  • You may vote for less than the number allowed.
  • Check both sides of the ballot for candidates and referenda.
  • If you have torn or marked your ballot incorrectly, return your ballot to the election judge at the ballot distribution table and receive a new ballot.
  • When you have finished voting, place your ballot inside the security envelope, so the judge's initials show, and take it to the optical scan tabulator.

Step 6-Cast your ballot

  • The ballot box judge should ask to see the judge's initials on the ballot.
  • Cast your ballot by holding the security sleeve loosely.
  • Put your finger in the slot and slide the ballot into the tabulator.
  • Do not hold tightly, allow the tabulator to grab the ballot from you.
  • If the ballot is not taken by the tabulator, the ballot box judge will read the displayed message and explain the reason.
  • If you wish to correct the ballot, the judge will direct you to return your ballot to an election judge at the ballot distribution table and obtain a new ballot.
  • Once the ballot is cast into the tabulator, it has been counted.
  • Return your security sleeve to the ballot box judge.
  • The judge will hand you an "I voted sticker".

Congratulations! You have exercised your right to vote!

Voting Instructions

  • Please click here to access Voting Instructions for the Tabulator.
  • Please click here to access Voting Instructions for the AutoMark (accessible voting machine).