Make a Plan to Vote in the March 17 Primary Election

Our Turn: Karen Kane and Ann Prisland

This article was published in the News-Gazette on February 3, 2026
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The League of Women Voters of Champaign County (LWVCC) urges everyone who is eligible to use their right to vote in this year’s Primary election. Every vote matters. All eligible voters can vote in this election. Voters must choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot but do not have to be members of either party.

Why Vote in the Primary?
The Primary election season is here, with early voting for registered voters starting at the Bennett Administrative Center in Urbana on Thursday, February 5. This year, there are several contested Primary races, including among Democratic party candidates for Champaign County Executive and Republican party candidates for Illinois Governor. US Congressional Districts IL-13 and IL-15 have contested races in both Republican and Democratic parties. The outcome of the Primary election determines who is on your ballot in the November 3 Midterm election at all levels - local, state, and federal. 

We know you have your own priorities for what issues matter most: affordable housing, quality public education, immigration policies, access to healthcare, cost of living, environmental concerns, and more. Your vote in the Primary lets you select candidates who best represent your values and priorities. Now is the time to get started.
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Register. Prepare. Vote. The LWVCC can help with all three. 

Register to vote using the paper registration form, online, or when you go to vote in person. Whether you are a first-time voter, or if you have moved in the last 30 days, check your registration status and learn about your registration options on the Champaign County Clerk’s website (champaigncountyclerkil.gov/). Stop by the LWVCC table at the Urbana Indoor Market at Lincoln Square on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 8 a.m. - 12 noon, and we can assist you with this process and answer your questions about voting options. 

Prepare to vote by learning more about the candidates. What are the candidates‘ priorities, and how do they align with yours? The League’s online nonpartisan Candidate Guide (votechampaign.org) provides specific information about the candidates on your ballot, including questions asked of those running in contested races. 

In partnership with Illinois Public Media, NAACP Champaign County Branch, and the News-Gazette, the League plans to co-sponsor a candidate forum with the two Democratic candidates for County Executive. The pre-recorded forum will be broadcast in mid-February. Other forums may be scheduled depending on candidate availability. The exact dates and times will be announced on will.illinois.edu/tv and on the League’s website. 

Make a Plan and Vote! Voting may be challenging for some community members this year, as election day, March 17, falls during spring break for the University of Illinois and local schools. If you will be away on March 17, make a plan to vote early, either in person or by mail. You can register and vote on the same day (Grace Period), starting at the County Clerk’s office on February 18 and at other countywide locations on March 9. The schedule and a list of locations is available on the Champaign County Clerk’s website. 

For those who want to vote by mail, request your ballot on the County Clerk’s website as soon as possible so you can have plenty of time to do your research and consider your votes. Mail ballots can be returned to any of the official mail ballot drop boxes located around Champaign County by 7:00pm on March 17. By returning your ballot this way, you also save the county prepaid postage costs. The locations of these highly secure boxes can be found on the County Clerk’s website.

If you return your ballot using US mail, it must be postmarked March 17 or before. Due to changes in USPS postmarking and transportation rules, at his January 27 press conference, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons stressed returning your ballot as soon as possible—”at least one week before election day.” 
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The LWVCC supports that recommendation and makes this additional suggestion: if mailing your ballot through USPS on March 16 or 17, take your ballot inside the post office to get it postmarked by hand, rather than using an outdoor postal mailbox. 
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Check out all the key dates and voting information available at lwvchampaigncounty.org on the “About Voting” tab. 

Over the last century, the League has fought for election protection, democratic reforms, and equal access to the ballot—all while maintaining our commitment to nonpartisanship. The League does not align with any political party, ideology or candidate. We are dedicated to protecting our democracy and ensuring all eligible citizens have the right to vote. 

Our Vote is our Power. Let’s use it during this Primary election.

Karen B. Kane and Ann Prisland are Voter Ready Team Members at the League of Women Voters of Champaign County. Email Kane at [email protected]