Chicago Voters Spend Hours In Line As Polling Places Run Out Of Ballots Across City

Live updates

1. 18m ago

   Chicago Polling Places Run Out of Ballots During Midterms

   Chicago voters faced multi-hour delays and paper ballot shortages across multiple polling places during midterm voting. Officials attributed the disruptions to a combination of strong voter turnout and a coding error that affected a small percentage of precincts. Voters were forced to wait in long lines to use limited electronic voting machines after paper supplies ran out, sometimes on multiple occasions. Despite the logistical hurdles, overall turnout appeared strong across the Chicago area, surpassing figures from the 2022 midterm elections.

   Why it matters

   The 2026 midterm elections drew intense voter interest as control of Congress hung in the balance, pushing local turnout figures higher than previous midterm cycles. Early voting alone topped 1 million ballots across Illinois prior to Election Day. Administrative challenges during high-stakes elections draw heightened scrutiny from the public and election authorities alike.

   What is confirmed

   • Multiple polling places ran out of paper ballots, forcing voters to wait in long lines to use electronic voting machines.
   • The Chicago Board of Elections stated that a coding error caused the ballot shortages and long waits at voting sites.
   • Federal monitors were present at some Chicago polling locations.
   • Chicago voter turnout reached about 43 percent.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The coding error affected fewer than 2 percent of precincts across the city.

   What to watch next

   • Final certified turnout numbers and complete vote tallies from election authorities
   • Further investigations or reports regarding the coding error and polling place supply management
   Sources used for this update (22)

   1. www.nbcnews.com — Tracking the 2026 early vote
   2. Block Club Chicago — Chicago Voters Spend Hours In Line As Polling Places Run Out Of Ballots Across City
   3. ABC7 Chicago — LIVE Updates for midterm Election Day in Chicago area; some polling places face ballot shortages
   4. WGN-TV — Voters across Chicagoland head to the polls
   5. Chicago Tribune — Early turnout strong as Chicago boosts field investigators for Election Day voting: ‘Make your voice heard’
   6. Block Club Chicago — Chicago Voter Turnout In 2026 Midterms Appears Strong So Far, Officials Say
   7. WTTW News — Election Day Live Updates: Chicago Area Votes as Control of Congress in Play
   8. ABC7 Chicago — Illinois midterm voting for Election Day 2026: Some polling places face ballot shortages in Chicago area, causing long lines
   9. ABC7 Chicago — Despite long lines, nearly 250K have voted in Chicago Tuesday
   10. The Center Square — Illinois early vote tops 1 million
   11. Demokratis.co.id — Chicago Polling Sites Run Out of Ballots During Midterms
   12. Chicago Sun-Times — Chicago area voter turnout appears likely to surpass 2022 midterm election numbers
   confidence 90%