To cast Your Ballot in the Illinois March 2026 Primary Election: Know the Deadlines, Registration Process, and Voting Options
Illinois residents, it's time to prepare for another election season. The state general primary is just around the corner, with polling stations opening on March 17th. To ensure you can exercise your right to vote, it's essential to know the key dates, registration requirements, and available voting options.
**Important Dates:**
* February 5th: First day to vote early or by mail
* February 12th: Early voting starts at downtown Chicago supersite and Chicago Board of Elections office
* February 18th: In-person voter registration and voting at election authority sites begin
* March 1st: Last day for online voter registration
* March 2nd: 50 ward early voting sites open in Chicago
* March 12th: Last day for election authorities to receive vote-by-mail applications
* March 17th: Primary Election Day, with polls opening at 6:00 AM and closing at 7:00 PM
**Registering or Checking Your Current Registration Status:**
To register to vote online, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections' website. You can also register on the same day you cast your ballot during early voting or on Election Day.
If you're not registered, bring two forms of ID or proof of residency (such as a passport, driver's license, lease, or mortgage) with at least one item listing your current address.
You can check your voter registration status online on the state's website or on the Chicago Board of Elections' website.
**Voting Early In Person:**
Early voting sites open in different locations across the state. Check the websites for DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County to find out when and where you can cast your ballot early.
**Voting by Mail:**
Apply now to receive your ballot through the mail, with a deadline of March 12th. You must apply to vote by mail through your local election authority. Your ballot must be postmarked or placed in a dropbox by Election Day for it to count. Joining the vote-by-mail permanent roster requires applying again during the upcoming election.
**Voting on Election Day:**
Chicago voters can cast their ballots at the voting supersite, early voting location, or look up your local polling place online.
**What to Remember While Voting:**
* Ballots in other languages are available for Chicago and Cook County polling locations.
* Bring notes, sample ballots, and endorsements with you into a polling booth.
* You can bring children with you to vote.
* If you're blind, physically disabled, or unable to read/write, ask an election judge, friend, family member, or another voter for help completing your ballot.
* Illinois prohibits "ballot selfies," but you can take and post selfies with your "I Voted" sticker.
Illinois residents, it's time to prepare for another election season. The state general primary is just around the corner, with polling stations opening on March 17th. To ensure you can exercise your right to vote, it's essential to know the key dates, registration requirements, and available voting options.
**Important Dates:**
* February 5th: First day to vote early or by mail
* February 12th: Early voting starts at downtown Chicago supersite and Chicago Board of Elections office
* February 18th: In-person voter registration and voting at election authority sites begin
* March 1st: Last day for online voter registration
* March 2nd: 50 ward early voting sites open in Chicago
* March 12th: Last day for election authorities to receive vote-by-mail applications
* March 17th: Primary Election Day, with polls opening at 6:00 AM and closing at 7:00 PM
**Registering or Checking Your Current Registration Status:**
To register to vote online, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections' website. You can also register on the same day you cast your ballot during early voting or on Election Day.
If you're not registered, bring two forms of ID or proof of residency (such as a passport, driver's license, lease, or mortgage) with at least one item listing your current address.
You can check your voter registration status online on the state's website or on the Chicago Board of Elections' website.
**Voting Early In Person:**
Early voting sites open in different locations across the state. Check the websites for DuPage County, Kane County, Kendall County, Lake County, McHenry County, and Will County to find out when and where you can cast your ballot early.
**Voting by Mail:**
Apply now to receive your ballot through the mail, with a deadline of March 12th. You must apply to vote by mail through your local election authority. Your ballot must be postmarked or placed in a dropbox by Election Day for it to count. Joining the vote-by-mail permanent roster requires applying again during the upcoming election.
**Voting on Election Day:**
Chicago voters can cast their ballots at the voting supersite, early voting location, or look up your local polling place online.
**What to Remember While Voting:**
* Ballots in other languages are available for Chicago and Cook County polling locations.
* Bring notes, sample ballots, and endorsements with you into a polling booth.
* You can bring children with you to vote.
* If you're blind, physically disabled, or unable to read/write, ask an election judge, friend, family member, or another voter for help completing your ballot.
* Illinois prohibits "ballot selfies," but you can take and post selfies with your "I Voted" sticker.
voting in the 2026 primary is like a big test to see who's got the skills 
, gotta make sure u r registered & know the deets 
. illinois residents have till feb 5th 2 vote early or by mail 
, then its Feb 12th early voting starts in chicago 
. don't be late tho, march 1st is the last day 2 register online 
. u can check ur registration status online or at ur local election authority site 
. early voting sites r poppin up all over the state 
. and dont forget 2 bring ur id & proof of residency when u vote in person 
. #votingmatters #illegalsprimary
i think they should make more unique flavors instead of just chocolate and vanilla all the time... or what if we could get some foodie trucks at the polling stations for voting day? that way we can fuel up on snacks while we're casting our ballots 
what's weird is that voting by mail has a specific deadline, march 12th 
50 states have to choose a new president every 4 years and it's crazy how much of an impact one person can have on the country 
i just wish they had online registration for all states already 
it's such a pain to have to go to different locations and fill out forms. also, voting by mail is so cool 
gotta love that! i'm not sure about these early voting sites though 
anyway, more ppl should vote lol
. Anyway, voting by mail in Illinois, huh? I don't think I've ever done that before... does anyone else in our state do it often? I should probably get my ballot in early just to make sure 
they're making it super accessible for everyone to register and cast their ballots. like, online registration is a game changer! 
and early voting sites are popping up all over the state - it's gonna be a breeze for people who can't make it to the polling stations on election day. i just hope everyone gets out and uses their right to vote 
?
March 2026 already? It feels like just yesterday we were voting for the last one... Anyway, Illinois residents are all set to head out and vote, but I mean, who gets excited about voting, right? 
"Bring two forms of ID or proof of residency" - what if you don't have those? What if you're a foreigner? 