About Voting

Midterm
Primary Election
March 17, 2026

March 17, 2026 Midterm Primary Election

Key Dates and Deadlines

Register to Vote

Now-Feb 17: Register using a paper form in person or by mail.
Now-Mar 1: Register online.
Feb 18-Mar 17: Register and vote the same day at Bennett Admin Center, 102 E Main, Urbana.
Mar 9-Mar 17: Register and vote the same day at any open campus or countywide voting location.

Vote Early

Feb 5-Mar 16: Vote early at Bennett Admin Center, 102 E Main, Urbana.
Mar 9-Mar 16: Vote early at any open campus or countywide voting location.

Vote by Mail

Now-Mar 12: Request a permanent mail ballot for all elections.
Now-Mar 12: Request a one-time mail ballot for this primary election.
Feb 5: Mail ballots will start being sent out.
Feb 9-Mar 17: Ballots returned through USPS must be postmarked on/before Mar 17, 2026. Ballots placed in drop boxes must be in the drop box by 7:00pm Mar 17, 2026.

Download PRIMARY key Dates Handout

Three ways to register to vote!

1) Complete a paper form. The form is available at many voter information events, or you can download it here. In section 5, choose one form of identification and check the box. If you checked IL license/state ID or last 4 digits of your Social Security number, write the number on the lines provided.

2) Register online. Have your Social Security number and Illinois driver's license/state ID number ready to enter. Click here for a video on how to register online.

3) Register when you go to vote. Bring your ID and something from the last 30 days showing your name and current address. Hard copy or electronic are both fine as proof of address. Examples: bank statement utility or cell phone bill, a receipt with your name and address.

The Champaign County Clerk's website also offers helpful information on voter registration.

Prepare

This section will be updated once the linked pages are available and active.

What to know before you go to vote!

1) See YOUR sample ballot. Ballots are specific to voters. Go to My Voter Record on the Champaign County Clerk's website to view or download your sample ballot. Your ballot includes the candidates and any referendums specific to you.

2) Learn about the candidates. The League's Candidate Guide provides information about candidates in contested races. For most elections, the League also hosts Candidate Forums, which can be viewed on the League's YouTube site.

3) Make a plan for how to vote. Decide which way you'll vote:

1. By mail
2. Early - in person
3. On election day - in person

Visit the Many Ways to Vote page on the Champaign County Clerk's website, or view this video, to help you decide which method is best for you.

Click here to request a mail ballot from the Champaign County Clerk.

Vote!

Whether you vote by mail, vote early, or vote on Election Day, be sure to vote!

1) Vote by Mail. Starting Feb 5, 2026, the Champaign County Clerk will begin sending out mail ballots for the Mar 17, 2026 Primary Election to those who have requested one. Mail ballots must be postmarked on or before Primary Election Day, Mar 17, 2026, or put in one of the county's drop boxes by 7:00 pm that day. Visit the Champaign County Clerk's website to learn more about voting by mail.

2) Vote Early. You can vote early at ANY open voting location on campus or throughout Champaign County. Visit the Champaign County Clerk's website to find the list of convenient early voting locations.

3) Vote on Election Day. On Primary Election Day, you can vote at ANY open voting location on campus or throughout Champaign County. This year's Election Day voting locations can be found on the Champaign County Clerk's website.

For More Information:
Aaron Ammons, Champaign County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds
Bennett Administrative Center, 102 E Main, Urbana
Website: https://champaigncountyclerkil.gov/elections
Contact page: https://champaigncountyclerkil.gov/contact-us

Additional Resources

Champaign County Clerk

The Champaign County Clerk and Recorder is the election authority and official source for election information in Champaign County. Find out about the election at the County Clerk's website, follow the Clerk's social media, or reach out to the office by phone or email.

County Clerk Elections website
County Clerk telephone number: (217) 384-3720
County Clerk Facebook page
County Clerk on Instagram

Illinois State Board of Elections

Information about elections and voting in Illinois can also be found at the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

Statewide voter registration look-up, address changes, and online voter registration are available on this site.

Election Resources for Voters and Volunteers

Check out and use the Champaign County League's public Election Resources.

Get More Detail

Prepare to Vote