The Primary Directive for the Primary: Vote EARLY

by Judy Hoffman, Voter Services Chair

This multi-part article includes reassuring thoughts on the upcoming election, information on early voting, and an introduction to resources for learning about candidates.

In October 2025, I had the pleasure of hearing Ed Yohnka speak about elections at a program presented by our comrades at the LWV-Wilmette. It was one of the best election programs I’ve attended and just what those in attendance seemed to need at that period in time.

Ed Yohnka is the Director of Communications and Public Policy for ACLU Illinois, and he is frequently invited to speak to election issues on national broadcasts. At the October event, he addressed attendees’ concerns about the upcoming primary. Would there be disruptions and disenfranchisement? Would the election even happen?

Yohnka presented with confidence (and light touches of humor), and he assured attendees that the election would take place. Regarding potential disruptions, Yohnka emphasized that voters have the power to influence the impact by voting early.

Vote early– When, Where, and How
If you are planning to vote in person, do not wait till March 17, advised Yohnka. The election authorities in Illinois make it very easy to vote early. The option is available every day of the week, including weekends, from March 2 thru March 16. Use this schedule for all early voting locations for suburban Cook County, and get your voting date on the calendar.

You may have seen in the news that the U.S. Postal Service has a new procedure that results in mail not necessarily receiving a postmark date on the day that the mail is first received at a post office. Rather, mail from a post office is transferred to a processing center where the postmark will be affixed, which could occur one or more business days later.

To be counted, vote-by-mail ballots received after the March 17 Election Day must have a postmark on or before March 17. The Cook County Clerk’s office recommends that if you are returning your vote-by-mail ballot after March 10, you either:

Enter the post office and have the postmark applied at a window, OR
Use the secure drop boxes at Early Voting sites up through March 16, or at the Voting Centers up through Election Day March 17.

Illinois has excellent protections in place for voting. It is our job to take advantage of what is in place to keep our votes safe.

VOTE411: The One-Stop Shop for Voter Information
The League of Women Voters of Illinois has guided Illinois Leagues in transitioning from the Illinois Voter Guide to the LWVUS-supported site VOTE411 (VOTE411.org). Voters can check their registration (or register), find out what is on the ballot and where their candidates stand on the issues, and pinpoint voting locations. (On the page listing all the races on your ballot, note that you will need to scroll down toward the bottom to find information on the race for US House District 9.) VOTE411 is a great resource to share with friends and family.

When LWVE members staff voter registration events, we often speak not only with local residents, but also with people from other parts of Illinois or from another state. With VOTE411, we can also help them find out their voter information. VOTE411 is super user-friendly.

Many thanks to members Tori Wible and Julie Zweigoron for their dedication to making this complex project a reality for LWVE.

Making Connections: Voter Services Outreach
Our League’s deputy registrars have kept busy in the final stretch leading up to the primary. We have served voters at a variety of Evanston and Skokie locations:

Connections for the Homeless (two locations)
Senior Living (Mather, Trulee)
Niles North High School
Skokie Public Library

Thank you to the volunteers who have provided this service to our communities: Sue Brenner, Sue Calder, Holly Heap, Mary Kelly, Valerie Krejcie, Katie Martin, and Cheryl Wollin.

Candidate Forum: State Senate District 9

IL State Senate 9 Dem Primary Candidate Forum.jpeg

The Glenview Public Library was the welcoming host site for the LWV candidate forum for the Democratic race for Illinois State Senate District 9. The candidates are Patrick Hanley and Rachel Ruttenberg. There was no forum held for the Republican race as it is uncontested. The forum was coordinated by LWV-Glenview/Glencoe, and it was co-sponsored by the Leagues of Evanston, Wilmette, and Winnetka-Northfield-Kenilworth. The forum was recorded and can be viewed on YouTube.

Thanks to the three LWVE members who participated in the event: Edie Hertel, Beth Negronida, and Georgia Vlahos.

Your vote matters. Your vote is your power. Check out VOTE411.org to get ready for this Election Day and stand up for what matters to you.

Return to THE INTERCOM FEBRUARY 2026 page.

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The Primary Directive for the Primary: Vote EARLY