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
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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 I.D.)
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