This St. Patrick’s Day, DeKalb County voters can head to the polls in addition to sampling a green beer.

March 17 marks the 2026 primary, where voters can pull a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot come November. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

The deadline for candidates to file was Nov. 3.

Who has filed and how can I learn more about them?

Illinois governor and lieutenant governor: Incumbent JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. He has named Christian Mitchell as his running mate after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her intention to run for the U.S. Senate.

Conservative research group Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, former state Sen. Darren Bailey and Gold Rush Gaming owner Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills have filed as Republicans.

The only other Democrat to file, Patricia L. Tillman of Chicago, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection as was Republicans Gregg Moore of Broadview and Joseph Severino of Lake Forest. Republican Max Solomon of Hazel Crest withdrew his candidacy.

• Coverage: “GOP governor candidates in McHenry say abolishing TRUST Act would end need for ICE raids”
• Coverage: “Conservative policy wonk Ted Dabrowski gets off sidelines with run for governor”
• Coverage: “Few fireworks as Illinois GOP governor hopefuls share stage for first time”
• Coverage: “Bailey talks Bears stadium as GOP gubernatorial candidates pile on Pritzker”
• Coverage: “Bailey talks faith, family, future at Sterling campaign stop”
• Coverage: “Bailey proposes ‘Illinois DOGE’ as Republican governor’s race focuses on spending”
• Coverage: “Taxes, sanctuary status and electability key issues in GOP gubernatorial joust”

Illinois attorney general: Incumbent Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, has filed to run for another term. Former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti has filed to run as a Republican.

Republican Andy Williams Jr. of Darien was removed from the ballot following a successful objection and has since filed as a write-in candidate. JoAnne Guillemette of Chicago withdrew after an objection was filed.

Illinois secretary of state: Alexi Giannoulias, an incumbent Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. Walter Adamczyk of Chicago and Joliet Junior College Trustee Diane M. Harris filed to run as Republicans.

• Diane Harris’ candidate questionnaire.

Illinois comptroller: Incumbent Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, is not running again. State Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim of Mundelein, state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego have filed to run as Democrats and and Bryan Drew of Benton as a Republican.

Champaign County Auditor George Danos, a Democrat, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

• Holly Kim’s candidate questionnaire.
• Margaret Croke’s candidate questionnaire.
• Stephanie Kifowit’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller”

Illinois treasurer: Incumbent Michael Frerichs, a Democrat, has filed to run for a fourth term. Max Solomon filed as a write-in candidate on the Republican side.

U.S. Senate: Incumbent Dick Durbin, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection.

Casey Chlebek, former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy, R. Cary Capparelli of Chicago, Pamela Denise Long of Edwardsville, Jimmy Lee Tillman II of Chicago, John Goodman of Des Plaines and Jeannie Evans of Chicago have filed to run as Republicans.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Kevin Ryan of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, Steve Botsford Jr. of Chicago, Jonathan Dean of Chicago, Sean Brown of Orland Park, Bryan Maxwell of Urbana, Awisi A. Bustos of Springfield and Christopher A. Swann of Chicago as Democrats. Independents Tyrone Muhammad and Austin J. Mink have also said they are running.

Democrats Adam Delgado of Chicago, Anthony Williams of Dolton and Jump Shepherd of North Riverside were removed from the ballot following successful objections as was CaSándra Claiborne of Chicago. Democrat Robert Palmer of Chicago and Republican John Goodman of Des Plaines withdrew as candidates.

• Don Tracy’s candidate questionnaire.
• Pamela Denise Long’s candidate questionnaire.
• Robin Kelly’s candidate questionnaire.
• Steve Botsford Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.
• Jonathan Dean’s candidate questionnaire.
• Bryan Maxwell’s candidate questionnaire.

U.S. House of Representatives: All 17 members of Congress representing Illinois are up in 2026. To find what district you live in, go to congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

• District 11: Bill Foster, a Democrat representing parts of Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will, has filed to run for reelection. Elburn Village President Jeff Walter, Michael Pierce of Naperville and Charlie Kim of Aurora have filed as Republicans. Tedora Brown of Palos Park was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.
• Jeff Walter’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 14: Lauren Underwood, a Democrat representing parts of Bureau, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, La Salle, Putnam and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Gary Vician of Naperville and James T. “Jim” Marter of Oswego have filed to run as Republicans. Krystal Dorey also filed as a Republican but as a write-in candidate.
• Jim Marter’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 16: Darin LaHood, a Republican representing Boone, Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, La Salle, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle and Putnam counties in addition to other counties in north-central Illinois, has filed to run for reelection. Paul Nolley of Roscoe has filed to run as a Democrat. Republican John Kitover of Chicago was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

Illinois State Senate: Like its federal counterpart, only some of its members are up for reelection this year. In DeKalb County, that includes:

• District 35: Dave Syverson, a Republican representing Boone, DeKalb, Kane, McHenry and Winnebago counties, has filed to run for reelection. Sarah B. Mertens of Crystal Lake filed as a Democrat.
• District 38: Sue Rezin, a Republican representing Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Ernie R. Marcelain of Yorkville has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Ernie Marcelain’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 45: Andrew S. Chesney, a Republican representing Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties, has filed to run for reelection. Joseph H. “Joe” Berning of Galena filed as a Democrat. Republican Joshua T. Atkinson of Freeport was removed from the ballot following a successful objection but has since filed as a write-in candidate.
• Joe Berning’s candidate questionnaire.

Illinois House of Representatives: All state representative seats are up every two years. The races in DeKalb County include:

• District 70: Jeff Keicher, a Republican representing DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties, has filed to run for reelection. Veronica Garcia-Martinez of Cortland has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Veronica Garcia-Martinez’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 74: Bradley Fritts, a Republican representing DeKalb, La Salle, Lee, Ogle and Whiteside counties, has filed to run for reelection. Nolan Kemp of Dixon has filed to run as a Democrat.
• District 75: Jed Davis, a Republican representing DeKalb, Grundy, Kendall, La Salle and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Caroline McCree of Yorkville has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Caroline McCree’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 76: Amy “Murri” Briel, a Democrat representing Bureau, DeKalb and La Salle counties, has filed to run for reelection. Crystal Loughran of Peru and Liz Bishop of La Salle have filed to run as a Republican. Tyler Thompson, a Democrat, filed as a writ
• Amy “Murri” Briel’s candidate questionnaire.
• Crystal Loughran’s candidate questionnaire.
• Liz Bishop’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 89: House Minority Leader Tony M. McCombie, a Republican representing Boone, Carroll, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Stephenson and Winnebago counties, filed to run for reelection. Victoria Onorato of Byron also filed to run as a Republican.
• Tony McCombie’s candidate questionnaire.
• Victoria Onorato’s candidate questionnaire.

What about the DeKalb County Board and other county seats?

Also on the ballot will be County Board members, county clerks, treasurers, sheriffs, assessors, and regional superintendents. Some counties also elect their Boards of Review, sanitary districts, and forest preserve district commissioners and president.

County Clerk: Incumbent Tasha Sims, a Republican, is seeking reelection. Douglas Janicke filed as a Democrat.

County Treasurer: Incumbent Becky Springer, a Republican, is seeking reelection. Derek Shaw filed as a Democrat.

Sheriff: Incumbent Andrew “Andy” Sullivan, a Republican, is seeking reelection.

Regional Superintendent: Incumbent Amanda Christensen will not seek reelection. Carmen R. Siragusa filed as a Republican.

County Board

• District 1: Incumbent Rhonda L. Henke, a Republican, is seeking reelection. Fredrick Hall filed as a Democrat.
• District 2: Incumbent Patrick Deutsch, a Republican, is seeking reelection. Carmen Polvere filed as a Democrat.
• District 3: Incumbent Tim Bagby, a Republican, is not seeking reelection. Joanne Pickering filed as a Democrat and Marc R. Doty as a Republican.
• District 4: Incumbent Laurie Emmer, a Republican, is not seeking reelection. Joyce A. Klein-Munch filed as a Democrat and Rhonda E. Cowan as a Republican.
• District 5: Incumbent Benjamin Haier, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection. Selma Saenz filed as a Democrat. A two-year term is also up in this district. Incumbent Suzanne Fahnestock, a Republican, filed and Daniel Vantilburg and Devon Wilcox filed as Democrats.
• District 6: Incumbent Rukisha Crawford, a Democrat, is seeking reelection.
• District 7: Incumbent C. Scott Campbell, a Democrat, is seeking reelection.
• District 8: Incumbent Michelle Pickett, a Democrat, is seeking reelection.
• District 9: Incumbent Jim Luebke, a Democrat, is seeking reelection.
• District 10: Incumbent Mary Lee Cozad, a Democrat, is seeking reelection.
• District 11: Incumbent Joseph Marcinkowski, a Republican, is not seeking reelection. Anna Wilhelmi filed as a Democrat and Gennie Siwicki as a Republican.
• District 12: Incumbent Rebecca Johnson, a Republican, is seeking reelection. Michalene Bell filed as Democrat. A two-year term is also up in this district. Incumbent John Frieders, a Republican, is not seeking the seat. Traci L. Griffin-Lappe filed as a Democrat and Colton Otto as a Republican.

Read more who filed for DeKalb County local office in the spring primary here.

What judicial races will I get to vote on?

Three vacancies are up at the Illinois appellate court level but none in the district that includes DeKalb County, according to an Illinois State Board of Elections list as of Sept. 3. Voters will also get to vote on retentions.

Where do I vote?

Early voting started Feb. 5 at the Sycamore campus’s Legislative Center in the Gathertorium, 200 N. Main St. Feb. 5 also marks the day county clerks could begin sending out mail-in ballots.

All early voting sites are open to all DeKalb County voters regardless of what precinct they live in.

This site is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday through March 6 except for Wednesdays, Feb. 11 and Feb. 18, when early voting will close at noon.

Weekend voting is available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8 and March 14-15, and evening hours will be available Monday through Friday, March 9 through 16, when the Sycamore site is open 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. That includes the Monday prior to Election Day.

Grace period registration begins Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Early and grace period voting is available 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily March 2 through March 13 at the Kingston Friendship Center, 120 Main St.; DeKalb Township Building, 2323 S. Fourth St., DeKalb; Northern Illinois University-Holmes Student Center Gallery Lounge, 340 Carroll Ave., DeKalb; and Sandwich Public Library, 925 S. Main St.

Other important dates

March 1: Last day to register to vote online through the State Board of Elections’ website. Grace period registration and voting continues through Election Day.

March 17: Election Day for the 2026 primary. Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can request a partisan ballot with either Democratic or Republican candidates listed or a non-partisan ballot, which includes any referendums.