NBC Chicago and Telemundo Chicago provide a comprehensive voter's guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election, covering key races, voting methods, registration details, and the impact of postal service changes on vote-by-mail.
Numerous open seats will be up for grabs in various races, and voters have a number of ways they can decide to cast their ballotIt’s almost election season in the Chicago area, and there are countless major races that voters will have to pay attention to.
From U.S. Senate to Illinois governor to Cook County Board President, a slew of offices will be on the primary ballot when the election rolls around in March, and voters will be tasked with identifying candidates that will be vying for the positions when the general election arrives.So who is on the ballot in this election? How could a change to the way the United States Postal Service handles its mail impact vote-by-mail ballots? Where can you find more information on where to cast your ballots? For answers to those questions, NBC Chicago and Telemundo Chicago bring you a complete voter’s guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election.This year’s primary election in Illinois will fall on Tuesday, March 17. Voters will be able to choose a ballot for the Democrats, the Republicans, or an independent ballot, which would only feature referendums in communities that are having those votes.How to register to vote by mail, and a big USPS change to note for 2026 Early voting for the 2026 primary election has opened in many suburban communities, and Mary Ann Ahern has the latest details.Even if voters miss the regular registration period, grace-period or same-day voter registration is available in the state of Illinois. The easiest way to register is to visit your local county clerk’s office and to bring required identification, which can be found here. Voters will then be allowed to cast ballots on the same day they register. Same-day voter registration is also available at select polling places on Election Day, with identification required and voters required to cast their ballots immediately.Voters can cast ballots on Election Day at their respective polling places, but there are other ways to cast ballots as well.Voters can also cast mail-in ballots. Applications to do so can be found on the state Board of Elections’ website, but those applications must be returned no later than five days prior to the election in order to ensure that you’ll receive a ballot.Overseas and military voting are available for Illinois voters who won’t be in the country for the election, andAny Illinois voter who is interested in voting by mail can do so, according to state law. To do so, voters must fill out an application and submit it to their local county clerk’s office. The applications must be received at least five days before the election in order for a voter to get a ballot. Voters who change their mind about voting-by-mail can do so, but must follow procedures laid out on the Board of Elections’ website.Early voting will take place in all Chicago-area counties ahead of the primary election.Voting on Election Day can be done at a voter’s designated polling place, and while ID is not officially required, there are limited circumstances in which forms of identification may be required. No ID is required in Illinois if a voter is registered at their current address and is voting at their correct precinct, though an ID can resolve any questions that may arise. A voter will need a form of identification if election judges have reason to challenge their right to vote at a polling place, or if their voter registration form did not contain a driver’s license or state ID number, or a Social Security Number, according to the Board of Elections.In Illinois, polls open on Election Day at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.Can you register to vote on Election Day?It is important to note that not all polling places offer same-day voter registration, but a list of such polling places can be found on the state Board of Elections’ website.Voters seeking to do so must bring two forms of identification, and their vote will be counted on a provisional basis until their right to register at the address they submit is verified.This year’s election cycle features some big-time races on the ballot, including numerous statewide races. That list includes a battle for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Dick Durbin, who announced he would not seek reelection. The state will also choose its governor in 2026, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker aiming to become the first Democrat to win a third term in office. The heated Republican battle to name his challenger remains ongoing, and will be decided in the March 17 primary. Other statewide offices, including Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller and Treasurer are also on the ballot. Voters will also choose their representatives in Congress, with several high-profile races unfolding to replace retiring lawmakers, including Reps. Danny Davis and Jan Schakowsky. Finally there are the state House and Senate races up and down the ballot, as well as judges and some local elections.There are no statewide referendums on the ballot during the primary election, but there are a handful of local measures that voters will weigh in on. Those include a $120 million proposal for Naperville officials to build a new sports complex, a $59.4 million plan to build a new public safety building in Geneva, and countywide advisory referendums in McHenry and Grundy counties.The U.S. Senate primary will be fascinating in Illinois, with Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi battling Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton in the Democratic primary. Former Illinois GOP leader Don Tracy is one of six Republicans battling for that party’s nomination.While Pritzker is running unopposed for governor in the Democratic primary, numerous Republicans have stepped up to try to win the party’s nomination, including former State Sen. Darren Bailey, former Wirepoints CEO Ted Dabrowski and DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick.With Krishnamoorthi and Kelly running for Senate, those Congressional seats have open primaries, as do seats being left by Davis and Schakowsky. Another big race is the Democratic primary for Cook County Board President, with incumbent Toni Preckwinkle facing Chicago Ald. Brendan Reilly.If a voter is already registered at their current home address, they will not need to bring identification. A photo ID can be helpful if any questions arise, however. Voters registering on the day of the election, or who need to make changes to their voter registration, can do so at select polling places, but will need to bring two forms of identification to do so. Voters can also bring notes into the voting booth to help them fill out their ballots, according to state officials.. That prohibition stems from a law that prohibits marking ballots so that another individual can see how a voter voted. However, state officials have told NBC Chicago in the past that it’s “unlikely” anyone would be prosecuted, but still recommend taking photos of an “I Voted” sticker in lieu of the ballot itself.Voters who are challenged on their voting eligibility, who experience voter intimidation or have trouble at their polling place are encouraged to report such incidents. If you run into any of the above issues, or have any questions about the voting process, more than 100 organizations across the U.S. operate an Election Protection hotline, which can be reached at:Live results can be found in the app, with voters able to turn on notifications to get all the latest news surrounding the election.
Illinois Elections Primary Election Voting Guide Voter Registration Vote-By-Mail
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