Voting
Key Dates to Remember:
August 5, 2025
Petition Circulation Begins for the General Primary Election
First day to circulate petitions for established party candidates seeking nomination in the 2026 General Primary Election.
October 27, 2025
First Day to File Nomination Papers for the General Primary Election
First day to file nomination papers for established party candidates for the 2026 General Primary Election.
November 3, 2025
Last Day to File Nomination Papers for the General Primary Election
Last day to file nomination papers for established party candidates for the 2026 General Primary Election.
November 10, 2025
Last Day to File Objections to Nomination Papers for General Primary Election
Last day for filing objections to the nomination papers of established party candidates who filed during the October 27 – November 3, 2025, filing period.
December 15, 2025
Last Day to File Petitions for Public Questions for the General Primary Election
Last day to file petitions with the local election official for the submission of questions of public policy. Exceptions to this date apply for various binding questions or backdoor referenda. Please refer to the authorizing statute for the question to confirm the deadline.
December 17, 2025
First Day to Submit Vote by Mail Applications for the General Primary Election
First day to apply for a vote by mail ballot for the 2026 General Primary Election. Please note that election authorities will not begin mailing ballots until Thursday, February 5, 2026.
December 22, 2025
Last Day to File Objections to Petitions for Public Questions for the General Primary Election
Last day to file objections to petitions for the submission of questions of public policy with the local election official.
December 29, 2025
Last Day for Resolutions for Public Questions for the General Primary Election
Last day for local governing boards to adopt a resolution or ordinance to allow a binding or advisory question to be placed on the ballot at the 2026 General Primary Election.
January 8, 2026
Ballot Certification Deadline – SBE
Last day for the State Board of Elections to certify candidates to the election authority to be included on the 2026 General Primary Election ballot.
Public Question Certification for the General Primary Election
Last day for the circuit court clerk or the local election official to certify any binding public question or advisory referenda to the election authority having jurisdiction over the political subdivision.
January 14, 2026
Ballot Certification Deadline – County Clerk
Last day for the county clerk to certify to the board of election commissioners the names of candidates to be voted for in its jurisdiction.
January 15, 2026
Write-In Candidate Filing Deadline for the General Primary Election
Last day an individual may file a notarized Declaration of Intent to be a write-in candidate with the proper election authority or authorities.
January 30, 2026
Vote by Mail Ballots – UOCAVA
Last business day for the election authority to mail ballots to persons in the United States Service, their spouse, and/or their dependents of vot
Vote on Election Day
March 17, 2026
General Primary Election
Date of the 2026 General Primary Election.
Vote in-person at any DuPage County polling location on Election Day
The Office of the DuPage County Clerk has established polling places for the upcoming election. The DuPage Clerk will also notify voters of their polling location via postal mail before election day.
A list of the polling locations can be found at: www.dupagecounty.gov/ VoterLookup/
You can register to vote and vote on Election Day
NOTE: Any voter who needs to register for the first time or file an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter’s current address.
Register to Vote
Registering to vote has never been easier or more convenient. You can register online, in person or you can download registration forms and register through the mail. Your election authority is ready to process your registration. Visit the Office of the DuPage County Clerk’s website to get registered. www.dupagecounty. gov/election
You can check your registration status at https://www.dupagecounty.gov/VoterLookup/
Vote by Mail
You can apply for your Permanent Vote By Mail Ballot online here. Ballots for the Primary Election will begin mailing on (date TBA) and take 4 to 5 days to arrive. Be sure to sign-up for Tracking Your Ballot here https://dupage.ballottrax.net/voter/ (receive text, email, and/or phone call for status of your ballot)
You can also apply for The Permanent Vote by Mail Program using a form that can be found on-line here. Once you have completed the form, it can be mailed or dropped off at the Election Division. Remember to check the option stating you wish to receive the Party Ballot and check the Democratic box! Mail completed form to:
DUPAGE COUNTY CLERK ELECTION DIVISION
PO BOX 1087
WHEATON, IL 60187-1087
Vote By Mail – VOTE EARLY! Mail your completed Vote By Mail Ballot (pre-paid postage – no stamps required) or drop it at any polling location.
Don’t forget to
Complete your ballot and place it in the envelope
Seal the envelope
Sign the envelope
Early Voting
February 5, 2026
Early Voting Begins for the General Primary Election
First day for early voting at the office of the election authority and at any additional locations that may have been designated by the election authority.
Voting by Mail Begins for the General Primary Election
First day for the election authority to mail an official ballot to a voter who has applied for a vote by mail ballot.
February 17, 2026
Close of Voter Registration
Last day for regular registration or transfer of registration within the office of the election authority.
February 18, 2026
Grace Period Registration and Voting Begins for the General Primary Election
First day of grace period registration and voting at the office of the election authority or at a location designated for this purpose by the election authority.
March 1, 2026
Close of Online Voter Registration for the General Election
Last day for voters to register to vote through the State Board of Elections’ website.
March 12, 2026
Last Day to Mail Vote by Mail Ballots for the General Primary Election
Last day for the election authority to receive, by mail, an application for a vote by mail ballot and mail that ballot to the voter. (Note: 1. An earlier deadline is applicable to UOCAVA voters; 2. In-person applications are still accepted until March 16, 2026)
March 16, 2026
Last Day for Early Voting for the General Primary Election
Last day for early voting for the 2026 General Primary Election.
(Early Voting – DuPage Fairgrounds details) TBA
(Early Voting – Temporary Polling Locations details) TBA
(Early Voting – Permanent Polling Locations details) TBA
You can register to vote at ALL Early Vote Sites. NOTE: Any voter who needs to register for the first time or file an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter’s current address.
Source:https://www.elections.il.gov/Main/Publications.aspx
Choose “2026 Abbreviated Election Calendar” from “Election Guides” Drop Down Menu