Polling places across Illinois will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Any voter in line by 7 p.m. is allowed to cast a ballot.
In a primary election, voters will need to declare a party — Democrat or Republican — and will select candidates from that one political party’s ballot. The winners from each party will advance to the general election scheduled for Nov. 3.
Offices on the Ballot
The 2026 primary ballot includes a range of offices at the federal, state, and local level.
Locally, county board seats and precinct committeepersons are on the ballot, along with regional superintendent of schools, county clerk and recorder, county treasurer, and sheriff.
Federal offices on the ballot include U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives.
Statewide offices on the ballot include governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, comptroller, and treasurer. Voters will also decide nominations for seats in the Illinois General Assembly.
Lee County voters will see one or more propositions on their ballot, depending on their location:
- The Lee County Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Advisory Referendum asks for a yes or no vote on the state opting in to a federal program to provide privately donated funds to all students in public, private, and home-based schools for academic needs.
- Dixon Park District is requesting permission to sell park district property.
- Sublette Fire Protection District is seeking to increase the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the purpose of purchasing equipment, providing for staffing, and supporting district operations.
- Finally, Lee County voters within LaMoille School District’s boundaries will see a question regarding the pursuit of the deactivation of LaMoille Community Unit School District 303’s high school and negotiation of enrollment agreements with neighboring high schools.
Download specimen ballots here:
- Lee County Democratic Specimen Ballot
- Lee County Republican Specimen Ballot
- Whiteside County Democratic Specimen Ballot
- Whiteside County Republican Specimen Ballot
Voting Dates and Information
While several key deadlines have already passed, Thursday, March 12, is the last day to apply for a vote-by-mail ballot. Vote-by-mail ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 17, to be counted. Monday, March 16, is the final day for early voting.
Same-day voter registration is available during early voting and on Election Day at designated locations. Voters registering at that time must bring proof of address.
For more information about polling locations, early voting sites, or vote-by-mail ballots, residents can contact their county clerk’s office. In Whiteside County, call 815-772-5189 or visit whitesidecountyil.gov. In Lee County, call 815-288-3309 or visit leecountyil.com.
