While several states are holding some big elections Tuesday, Illinois isn’t one of them. But there are some major races coming soon.
The Illinois State Board of Elections reminded residents that while there is no election in Illinois Tuesday, the next one is coming up soon after the new year.
Illinois’ 2026 election season will feature some hotly contested races for major seats including U.S. Senate, governor and more on the ballot in what will be a pivotal year both for the state and for the nation as a whole.
Here’s what to know:
When is the next election in Illinois?
The General Primary election in Illinois is slated for March 17, 2026.
What Illinois elections are there in 2026?
The 2026 election season will feature races for the next Illinois governor, two Senate seats, House seats, secretary of state and more.
Illinois’ Congressional delegation is going to have a significantly different look in the 2026 as, for the first time since 1994, Sen. Dick Durbin will not be on the ballot for the election, leaving open a Senate seat and a heated race to replace him that includes Illinois’ current Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.
There will be plenty of turnover in the House. Rep. Robin Kelly is running for U.S. Senate, leaving her second district seat open. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents the eighth district, is also running for Senate.
Reps. Danny Davis, who represents the seventh district, and Jan Schakowsky, who represents the ninth district, are retiring after their current terms end, leaving four open Congressional seats.
In addition to the federal-level races, all of Illinois’ statewide offices are on the ballot, including governor, as Gov. J.B. Pritzker runs for a third term next year.
At least three Republicans are planning to oppose him, and will run in the spring primary. That includes 2022 gubernatorial candidate and former State Sen. Darren Bailey, along with DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and Ted Dabrowski, formerly the president of Wirepoints and the vice president of policy at Illinois Policy Institute.
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will also be seeking reelection, as will Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Treasurer Michael Frerichs. Comptroller Susana Mendoza has said she will not run for reelection in the new year.
All of Illinois’ 118 State House of Representatives seats will be up for election, as will a group of State Senate seats.
Finally, Illinois appellate and circuit courts will have races, but there will not be any Supreme Court races on the ballot in 2026.
What does the calendar look like for these elections?
February 5: This will be the first day mail-in ballots can be sent in by voters. It will also mark the first day county clerks’ offices may open their first early voting locations.
February 17: This is the deadline for traditional voter registration, with March 1 marking the final day voters can register online.
March 2: First day of early voting at permanent polling places around the state.
March 17: The primary election will be held on St. Patrick’s Day, with key races including the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, the Republican primary for governor, and several primaries for Democrats and Republicans in Congressional races.
October 6: Voter registration will re-open after the primary, and will close on this date. Online registration closes on October 18.
October 19: Early voting for general election begins at permanent polling places.
November 3: The 2026 general election, which will ultimately decide control of both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate, along with Illinois’ governor and other statewide offices.
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