Elections
Illinois 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The Illinois 2026 congressional primary was held on March 17, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Live on Congress Countdown
See Illinois's current congressional delegation
Term end dates, party breakdown, and which seats are on the November ballot.
Illinois U.S. Senate Primary — Results
Open seat — Sen. Dick Durbin retired after five terms.
November nominees
These two face off on November 3, 2026 in a single-winner plurality contest.
General Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the Illinois 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in Illinois are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View Illinois representatives →
U.S. Senate — Class II Seat
Illinois's Class II Senate seat is up for election in 2026. The current senator is Dick Durbin (D) — retiring; open seat. Class II senators were last elected in 2020 and serve six-year terms.
Illinois's Primary System: Partisan Open Primary
Illinois holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
Illinois 2026 Election Key Dates
| March 17, 2026 | Primary Election (passed) |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in Illinois
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare Illinois's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Illinois 2026 U.S. Senate primary?
Don Tracy won the Republican nomination with 40.0% of the vote, and Juliana Stratton won the Democratic nomination with 40.4%. They advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Illinois in November 2026?
The November 3, 2026 ballot features Don Tracy (R) vs Juliana Stratton (D) for Illinois's U.S. Senate seat.
When is the Illinois primary election in 2026?
The Illinois 2026 congressional primary is March 17, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the Illinois primary if I'm not registered with a party?
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day.
What is on the Illinois 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in Illinois are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, the U.S. Senate seat (Class II) is up for election. The current senator is Dick Durbin (D) — retiring; open seat. Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does Illinois use?
Illinois holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
When is the Illinois voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Check the Illinois Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the Illinois general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.