Chicago Early Votes Up 11% Amid School Bus Surges

The 2026 midterm election is six days away, and early voting activity in Chicago and Cook County has already outpaced the 2022 cycle. Election officials report that this acceleration is being driven by a surge in first-time voters, particularly high school seniors who are casting ballots before they turn 18. The data indicates a sharp rise in participation across both the city and its suburban areas.

According to the Chicago Board of Elections, early voting in the city is up more than 11% compared with the 2022 midterms. In suburban Cook County, the pace of increase is faster. Cook County Clerk Monica Gordon stated that the county is on track to be 30% ahead of the 2022 gubernatorial election. She attributed this growth to the civic engagement of students and young people.

On Wednesday, groups of high school students traveled by bus to the Chicago Board of Elections Supersite. These trips were part of the Chicago Votes project, which aims to promote civic participation among young people. Mayor Brandon Johnson joined students from DRW College Prep on one such bus ride. He noted that 27,000 new voters participated in the April 2023 primary but did not vote in the February 2023 primary, a difference he described as the margin of victory.

Camren Redd, a senior at Butler College Prep, said participating in the election felt great. Elijah Candelaria, a senior at Pritzker College Prep, described his experience as a mix of excitement and uncertainty. He said he studied pre-hanled information on candidates and hoped he made the right decision. For many of these students, the day marked their first time casting a ballot.

Voters outside the student groups expressed support for the youth turnout. Britt Allen, an early voter, said she was energized by seeing young people participate. She argued that the election results would impact them in the future, making it important for them to voice their opinions. She emphasized that showing up is a key part of the process.

In Melrose Park, a coalition of immigrant rights organizations known as the Democracy Project prepared volunteers to canvass neighborhoods. These volunteers are encouraging eligible voters who face language or other barriers to cast ballots. Lawrence Benito, executive director of the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said that getting out the vote is more important than ever this cycle. He highlighted the opportunity to advance local values through participation.

The League of Women Voters Chicago said the higher early voting numbers are encouraging. However, Jane Ruby, the group's president, cautioned against complacency. She stated that the organization is seeing people energized about participation that extends beyond election time. She described this as holding elected officials accountable by showing up to meetings and making voices heard between elections.

Officials and observers note that turnout could play a major role in closely contested races, including school board contests. The participation patterns seen in November may also provide insight into voter engagement ahead of the municipal election. That municipal election is scheduled for less than four months from now.