Primary election filing to begin Monday for Illinois Dem, GOP candidates
The filing period for candidates seeking to run in the 2026 primary elections in Illinois begins on Monday. Both Democratic and Republican candidates aiming for state and federal offices will start submitting their nominating petitions at the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield. Candidates have one week, from October 27 to November 3, to file their petitions, which include the required registered voter signatures. After filing, ther is an objection period from November 3 to November 10, during which challenges can be made regarding the validity of the signatures or paperwork. The Board of Elections will rule on objections, but appeals can extend into the voting period, perhaps complicating ballot preparations. Independent and third-party candidates have different timelines, with signature collection starting in February 2026 and filing in May 2026. Detailed candidate information is available on the Illinois State election BoardS website.
Primary election filing to begin Monday for Illinois Dem, GOP candidates
(The Center Square) – Candidates hoping for a spot on the 2026 primary election ballots are expected to line up Monday outside the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield.
Monday is the first day of the filing period for Democrats and Republicans seeking state and federal offices in Illinois. Candidates often arrive early, hoping to secure a favorable spot on the primary ballot.
Illinois State Board of Elections Public Information Officer Matt Dietrich said candidates running for federal or state legislative seats, statewide offices, or judicial posts have one week to turn in their signatures.
“They all file with us starting Oct. 27, so they’ll be at our building from Oct. 27 through Nov. 3, filing their nominating petitions with us,” Dietrich told The Center Square.
Dietrich said candidates are not done once they file.
“Filing is not the final step. There’s a whole objection process that candidates have to survive in order to be on that ballot,” Dietrich added.
Dietrich said objections can be filed from Nov. 3 to Nov. 10.
“If someone believes that a certain candidate has not filed the required number of registered voter signatures on their petitions, they will file an objection. If they believe someone has not properly filed their paperwork, in other words, they haven’t included a required statement of economic interest or receipt for a statement of economic interest, they can file an objection,” Dietrich explained.
The State Board of Elections rules on the objections, but appeals can last for months in court. Dietrich said appeals can even extend into the early voting period, causing problems for county clerks who prepare the ballots.
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Independents and candidates from other parties do not have primaries and won’t begin collecting signatures until Feb. 25, 2026. Filing for these candidates is May 18-25, 2026.
The 2026 Candidates Guide is available on the Illinois State Election Board’s website.
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