St. Patrick’s Day and the green river dyeing aren’t the only important events happening in March.
The Illinois Midterm Primary Election also falls on Tuesday, March 17 this year, with major political leadership roles like Illinois Governor, Senator, and Attorney General on the ballot.
Here’s everything to know ahead of election day and how the results will impact your daily life in Chicago.
What is a primary election?
Primary elections allow voters to select candidates for various positions to run in a general election, according to Ballotpedia.
In 2026, the March Primary Election will precede the General Midterm Election on Tuesday, November 3.
Primaries in Illinois function on a closed system basis, meaning voters must register with a political party in order to cast their vote.
What’s on the ballot and how it affects you
The 2026 General Primary Election will cover state political positions including Illinois Governor, Senator, Attorney General, various judicial seats, and other leadership roles.
It’s likely been many years since you completed your high school civics class, so here’s a brief refresher on what our state leaders do and why your vote matters:
- Governor – The Governor can be thought of as the manager of a state, according to the National Governors Association.
- Governors administer state laws and oversee executive operations throughout a state. In this sense, the Governor has a high degree of influence over state policy.
- Major laws like the state budget and other legislation are shaped by the Governor’s veto power (ability to reject a bill) and executive authority.
- Senator – Senators are a part of the legislative branch of the U.S. Government, with each state electing two Senators to represent it at the federal level.
- Senators propose national legislation, draft and amend bills, use procedural tactics like filibusters to delay legislation, and oversee the executive branch.
- Attorney General – The Illinois Attorney General (IAG) is the chief legal officer of the state, the public official elected to protect the interest of the state and its citizens, according to the IAG’s office. The job of the Attorney General covers the following:
- Advocating on behalf of the people of Illinois.
- Legislating with members of the General Assembly for new laws.
- Litigating to ensure state laws are followed and respected.
For a full list of elected positions on the 2026 Midterm Primary ballot, click here.
When does early voting open?
Downtown early voting officially opens in Chicago on Thursday, February 12. Voters may vote early at either of two downtown voting sites:
- 137 South State Street – City supersite
- 69 W. Washington Street, 6th Floor
Early voting for all 50 wards will open on March 2.
Click here for a full list of early voting locations, daily hours, and additional information.
Where do I go to vote on election day?
Voters can cast their ballot on election day at their local precinct polling location or at one of 51 vote centers throughout the city.
Click here for a full list of precinct locations and city vote centers.
Where can I register to vote or check my registration status?
You can easily check your voter registration status, register to vote, and learn more valuable voter information through the Chicago Board of Elections official site.