Illinois Election Dates and Deadlines
Welcome to the Illinois Election Dates and Deadlines listing from U.S. Vote Foundation.
Here you can find out when Illinois elections will be held at the local, state and federal election level. There are many different deadlines associated with Illinois elections, such as voter registration deadlines, absentee ballot request and ballot return deadlines, date ranges for early voting, and in-person voting options. No matter the type of election, or whether you are voting at home or voting from abroad, this service will provide you with comprehensive election dates and deadlines for your voting state of Illinois.
Illinois Federal and State Elections
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois Congressional Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- In-Person Request by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Postmarked by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Online by
Sun Mar 1, 2026 - Grace Period
A voter who registers or changes their address during this grace period must vote via "grace period voting."
From Wed Feb 18, 2026 to Tue Mar 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Online by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - Post Received by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Mon Mar 16, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Thu Feb 5, 2026 to Mon Mar 16, 2026
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois Gubernatorial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- In-Person Request by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Postmarked by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Online by
Sun Mar 1, 2026 - Grace Period
A voter who registers or changes their address during this grace period must vote via "grace period voting."
From Wed Feb 18, 2026 to Tue Mar 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Online by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - Post Received by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Mon Mar 16, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Thu Feb 5, 2026 to Mon Mar 16, 2026
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois State and Judicial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
- In-Person Request by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Postmarked by
Tue Feb 17, 2026 - Online by
Sun Mar 1, 2026 - Grace Period
A voter who registers or changes their address during this grace period must vote via "grace period voting."
From Wed Feb 18, 2026 to Tue Mar 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
- Online by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - Post Received by
Thu Mar 12, 2026 - In-Person Request by
Mon Mar 16, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Early Voting Available
Early VotingFrom Thu Feb 5, 2026 to Mon Mar 16, 2026
Illinois Local Elections
Illinois Federal and State Elections
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois Congressional Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byFor applications received after February 17, 2026, and before March 9, 2026, from a citizen temporarily residing outside the U.S., the voter registration requirement is waived, and the applicant will be eligible for a federal ballot only.
Tue Feb 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byMon Mar 9, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois Gubernatorial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byFor applications received after February 17, 2026, and before March 9, 2026, from a citizen temporarily residing outside the U.S., the voter registration requirement is waived, and the applicant will be eligible for a federal ballot only.
Tue Feb 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byMon Mar 9, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Tue Mar 17, 2026 - Illinois State and Judicial Primary Election
Voter Registration Deadline
Received byFor applications received after February 17, 2026, and before March 9, 2026, from a citizen temporarily residing outside the U.S., the voter registration requirement is waived, and the applicant will be eligible for a federal ballot only.
Tue Feb 17, 2026
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline
Received byMon Mar 9, 2026
Absentee Ballot Return Deadline
Postmarked On or Before Election Day and Received byTue Mar 31, 2026
Illinois Local Elections
Go to the Sample Ballot Lookup for candidate names and to learn of any ballot measures and proposed state constitutional amendments on your ballot.
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