Illinois voters will head to the polls this spring for the 2026 primary elections, and the results will help shape who appears on the ballot in November.
Voting begins early this year. February 5, 2026 was the first day voters can cast a ballot early or request a vote-by-mail ballot. If you still need to register, February 17 is the last day for regular paper registration, while March 1 is the deadline to register online. Primary Election Day is March 17, 2026. Make sure to register and vote to fulfill your civic participation.
The primary determines which candidates from each political party move on to the general election. Offices on the ballot include United States Senator, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Comptroller, State Treasurer, Regional Superintendent of Schools, and Representatives in Congress. All 17 Congressional seats are on the ballot this year, including our own District 8.
Incumbent Governor JB Pritzker is running for reelection and hopes to become the first Democrat in Illinois history to win a third term. He is running unopposed in the Democratic primary but has a new running mate: Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell, who replaces Juliana Stratton. Stratton is now running for the U.S. Senate. On the Republican side, several candidates are competing for the nomination, including Darren Bailey, Ted Dabrowski, James Mendrick, and Rick Heidner.
Illinois will also elect a new U.S. Senator, as longtime Senator Dick Durbin is not seeking reelection. Democratic candidates include Raja Krishnamoorthi, a congressman from our very own Schaumburg; Juliana Stratton, the current Lieutenant Governor; and Robin Kelly. Republican candidates include R. Cary Capparelli, Casey Chlebek, and Jeannie Evans.
All 17 U.S. House seats in Illinois are on the ballot this year. Several major changes are making this primary especially competitive. Krishnamoorthi and Kelly are leaving their House seats to run for Senate, while longtime representatives Jan Schakowsky and Danny Davis are retiring. This opens the door for new candidates and gives voters a strong voice in shaping the future.
For District 8 residents, participating in the primary is a key way to influence who represents your community. Whether voting early, by mail, or on Election Day, showing up matters.