Yes, it’s already time for the primary election in IL. Here’s when you can vote
The 2026 Midterm Elections will be held this November, and Illinois’ primary is approaching quickly.
Illinois’ general primary election will take place Tuesday, March 17, and early voting will begin Thursday, Feb. 5 at certain polling locations in the metro-east.
In St. Clair County, the courthouse will offer early voting starting Thursday, and additional early voting locations will open Monday, March 2.
For Madison County voters, the county clerk’s office will host early voting beginning Thursday, with the rest of the county’s early voting locations opening Monday, Feb. 18.
In Monroe County, early voting will also begin at the county courthouse Thursday.
In the March election, Illinois voters will cast their ballots in statewide offices such as U.S. senator, governor, attorney general and secretary of state, as well as local positions like clerks, treasurers, sheriffs, county board members and more.
Before headed out to vote, it’s a good idea to double-check your registration status. Online voter registration will be available until Sunday, March 1 in Illinois, when it will then close until after the primary election.
For those registering to vote by mail, the registration form must be postmarked 28 days before Election Day. A new post office rule means a postmark date will now denote the day the U.S. Postal Service processed an item, rather than the day it received your mail, so you may want to factor in some extra time just in case.
If Election Day rolls around and you still haven’t registered to vote in Illinois, you can still go to the polls. The state offers same-day voter registration.
To apply for voter registration or update your voter registration in Illinois, you’ll need to provide your driver’s license or state identification number, the date your license or ID was issued, the last four digits of your Social Security number and your birth date.
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