What You Need to Know for the March 17, 2026, Primary Election
- 17-year-olds are eligible to vote in the March 17 2026 Primary Election if they will be 18 by the Nov 2 2026 General Election.
- For the Primary, voters will be asked which party’s ballot they want (Democratic or Republican). This is because Illinois uses an open primary system. Voters aren’t required to register with a specific party to participate in the primary but do need to declare their choice of ballot when they go to vote. If there are non-partisan referendums on the ballot, a voter can chose a non-partisan ballot that will then only have these referendums.
- Find non-partisan Candidate Information at vote411.org
IMPORTANT – Postmark Changes that Vote By Mail Voters Need to Know!
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Mail Postmark Rules Have Changed
- Previously: Mail was postmarked the day you mailed it.
- Now: Mail is postmarked the day that it is processed which can result in at least a 1-2 day delay
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Vote By Mail Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day to be Counted
Returning your Ballot close to Election Day?
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Go inside to the Post Office Counter and request a manual postmark
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Drop Off Your VBM Ballot:
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At the DuPage County Secure Drop Box at 421 N County Farm Road, Wheaton -OR -
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At any Early Voting Site -OR -
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At any Polling Place on Election Day
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Learn more in our Vote by Mail Do's and Don'ts