Election Day is just three weeks away. Those three weeks will be packed with door-knocking, phone-banking and millions of dollars of TV advertising aimed at cajoling undecided voters to make a last-minute switch.
But if, like the vast majority of people, you've already made up your mind, and simply want to have done with it, why wait until November 2 to vote? As of today, you've got a quick and relatively painless alternative at your disposal: early voting.
The official start of early voting was Monday, but with many city buildings closed for Columbus Day, it's beginning in earnest Tuesday. Times are flexible, locations are many, and almost anyone can do it.
Who can vote early?
Any registered voter in Illinois can go to one of the 54 early voting sites in the city -- or the dozens of suburban Cook County locations -- and fill out an early ballot. All you need is a valid government-issued ID. You don't need a reason, an excuse, or anything.
Not registered yet? Not to worry. There's also "Grace Period Registration and Voting," in which residents can join the voter roll or change their address any time until just before the election. There are two catches, though: it can only be done at four locations (see below), and you have to vote in person as soon as you register--no voting on November 2 for grace period folks. Bring two forms of ID for this registration.
If you don't know whether or where you're registered, check here.
Of course, after voting early, it's impossible to change your vote or vote again (early, not often, kids...).
When is early voting?
The city and suburban early voting locations are open Monday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Three of them in Chicago (1900 W. Monterey Ave, Welles Park, and the Board of Elections) and a handful of suburban offices, are open on Sundays as well, from 9 to 3.
By law, early voting ends Thursday, October 28. Worth noting, though: grace period registration and voting ends two days earlier, on Tuesday the 26th.
Where can I vote?
Here's a map of the 54 locations in Chicago, as awesomely compiled by Scott VanDenPlas:
View Chicago Early Voting Sites in a larger map
Grace period voting is available at the Chicago Election Board (69 W. Washington St., 6th Floor), the student union of Chicago State University (9501 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.), the student center at UIC (750 S. Halsted St.), and Building B of Northeastern Illinois University campus (5500 N. St. Louis Ave.).
For a PDF map of suburban voting sites, click here.
How can I learn more?