Primary Election– March 17, 2026

For the March 17 Primary Election, voters will be choosing a political party ballot to vote for candidates to be that party’s nominees for offices that will be on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 General Election.

Offices on Primary Ballots for Suburban Cook County Voters

US

• One Illinois Senator
• All Illinois Members of the House of Representatives

State

• Governor & Lt. Governor
• Attorney General
• Comptroller
• Secretary of State
• Treasurer
• Some State Senators
• All State Representatives in the General Assembly

Cook County

• President
• All 17 Cook County Board Commissioners
• Assessor
• The Board of Review Commissioners for the 1st and 2nd Districts
• County Clerk
• Sheriff
• Treasurer

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

• 3 Commissioners for 6-year terms
• 1 Commissioner for 2 years to complete an unexpired term

Judges

Candidates to fill vacancies for the Illinois Supreme Court, Appellate Court, Circuit and Subcircuit Courts.
(On the November ballot, voters will also be voting whether to retain judges.)

Key Dates for March 17, 2026 Primary
Suburban Cook County

For Candidates

• Tues, Aug 5– First day to circulate petitions

• Oct 27 thru Nov 3– Nomination petitions filing period
–VOTERS: Do you know what petitions you can sign? Click here to get vote-ready!–
• Mon, Nov 10– Last day to file objections to nomination papers
• Mon, Nov 10– Last day to withdraw for candidates who filed for incompatible offices

For Vote by Mail

• Dec 17 thru March 12– May apply for a mail-in ballot if not already on the Permanent Vote-by-Mail list
• Tues, March 17– Last day to use Drop Boxes or Post Office (must be postmarked) for returning ballots

For Voter Registration only

• Tues, Feb 17–Last day for voter registration with Deputy Voter Registrars
• Sun, March 1– Last day to register online at the Illinois State Board of Elections web site (must have either an Illinois Driver's License or State ID*)

For Voter Registration and Early Voting

• Wed, Feb 18– Early voting and registration begins at Voting Centers (69 W. Washington pedway and Courthouses)
• March 2 thru March 16– Early voting and registration expands for Suburban voters at additional suburban sites

Election Day Voting and Registration

Tuesday, March 17 (6 am to 7 pm)
–at the voter’s local precinct
–at Voting Centers– 69 W. Washington pedway and Courthouses

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Primary Election– March 17, 2026

US

For Candidates

For Voter Registration only

Election Day Voting and Registration