Primary election filing to begin Monday for Illinois Dem, GOP candidates
(The Center Square) – Candidates hoping for a spot on 2026 primary election ballots are expected to line up Monday outside the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield.
Monday is the first day of the filing period for Democrats and Republicans seeking state and federal offices in Illinois. Candidates often arrive early, hoping to secure a favorable spot on the primary ballot.
Illinois State Board of Elections Public Information Officer Matt Dietrich said candidates running for federal or state legislative seats, statewide offices or judicial posts have one week to turn in their signatures.
“They all file with us starting Oct. 27, so they’ll be at our building from Oct. 27 through Nov. 3, filing their nominating petitions with us,” Dietrich told The Center Square.
Dietrich said candidates are not done once they file.
“Filing is not the final step. There’s a whole objection process that candidates have to survive in order to be on that ballot,” Dietrich added.
Dietrich said objections can be filed from Nov. 3 to Nov. 10.
“If someone believes that a certain candidate has not filed the required number of registered voter signatures on their petitions, they will file an objection. If they believe someone has not properly filed their paperwork, in other words, they haven’t included a required statement of economic interest or receipt for a statement of economic interest, they can file an objection,” Dietrich explained.
The State Board of Elections rules on the objections, but appeals can last for months in court. Dietrich said appeals can even extend into the early voting period, causing problems for county clerks who prepare the ballots.
Independents and candidates from other parties do not have primaries and won’t begin collecting signatures until Feb. 25, 2026. Filing for these candidates is May 18-25, 2026.
The 2026 Candidates Guide is available on the Illinois State Election Board’s website.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Illinois Quick Hits: Driver killed in reported shootout with police on I-88
Historic Joseph Perry House in Crete Granted Landmark Status
U.S. House to vote on five-year Farm Bill this week
Constitutional tests await IL Dems’ race-based district plan
State House OKs access to abortion medication at colleges
Nonprofit hospitals called out for prioritizing politics over patients
Americans back birthright citizenship 2-to-1, poll finds
Frankfort Township Prepares for Spring Services, AARP Tax Prep Expansion, and New Food Pantry
Roy leads congressional delegation calling to halt federal funding for CAIR
Marilyn Monroe’s home becomes a monument; owners sue
Abbott lauds Supreme Court’s second ruling upholding Texas’ new congressional maps
Illinois quick hits: Appeals court upholds Madigan corruption conviction
