Voting Information

Illinois General Primary Election: March 17, 2026

  • Greetings VOTERS!   Get ready for the Primary Election March 2-17, 2026.

    Now is the time to MAKE YOUR VOTING PLAN!  March 2-17 is a Primary Election, which means you will be voting for candidates from one of the three political parties (Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian).  To see who is on all three ballots go: https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/your-voter-information.

    There are three ways to vote in this election:    ‍
    1. Mail-In Ballot
    ‍2. Early Voting or 
    ‍3. Voting on Election Day.      

    ‍Mail-In Ballot  

    ‍    To apply for a mail-in ballot, go to https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/ways-to-vote/vote-by-mail.   Deadline for applying for a mail-in ballot is Wednesday 03/12/2025.   

    Once received, fill out your mail-in ballot and either take it to one of the many Early Voting Sites or mail your ballot in a timelyfashion.   Local early voting sites include the Park Ridge City Hall and the Des Plaines Library.  Deadline for bringing mail-in ballots to early voting sites is 3/17/26 by 7 pm.   

    ‍    IMPORTANT NOTE regarding Mailing your Mail-In Ballot: The USPS no longer postmarks mail the day it comes into the post office.  Now mail is postmarked whenever it is processed at a regional facility, which can be days after it comes into the post office.  To be sure your mail ballot is counted, bring your mail-in ballot to one of the many early voting sites on or before March 17th by 7 pm.  OR bring your mail ballot to a US post office before closing to have them hand-date-stamp your ballot to be sure it is postmarked by March 17 and is counted.   

    Early Voting   

    Early voting begins March 2 and continues through March 16.       
    Early Voting Hours - Mon-Sat: 9 am-5 pm, Sun: 10 am-4 pm.      

    Click on this link to find other early voting locations:  https://www.elections.il.gov/VotingAndRegistrationSystems/EarlyVotingLocationsSearch.aspx

    Bring your driver’s license or state ID to verify your status and signature if you registered to vote online.  

    ‍Election Day Voting   
    ‍
    ‍    On Election Day, March 17, 2026, polls will open at 6 am and close at 7 pm. You must go to the precinct polling place listed on your voter ID card.   Online registrants should bring their ID’s the first time they vote.   

    ‍Online voter registration is now closed.  If you are not registered to vote, you can register at your polling place on election day or at any early voting site in suburban Cook County.   Bring two ID’s - one must have your current address such as your driver’s license or state ID, and one other.  Your vote will be counted once the Clerk’s office verifies your eligibility.  

Action Ridge is Nonpartisan – This guide tells you how to find out which candidates will be on your ballot and provide some clues on how you can research about those candidates and choose whom tovote for.  

WHO DO I VOTE FOR?     

To compare candidates in contested races, visit candidate websites, view forums, and YouTube interviews to help with your decisions.  Talk to trusted family and friends, see endorsements of candidates.   

Judges – Go to  voteforjudges.org  to see evaluationsfrom 13 bar associations, ranking judges from highly recommended to not-recommended.   

And be on the lookout for onlinemisinformation too.   

It’s totally okay to bring written notes or a list on your phone into the voting booth.  Just don’t wear campaign gear (no candidate shirts, buttons, or hats).  

Action Ridge is a nonpartisan Social Justice Organization.  We are in the process (as we write this) of registering with the IRS as a 501.C4 organization. This guide was put together in cooperation with our friends at Spotlight Elevate Engage, a local organization that works to shine a light on local candidates and issues to elevate the truth and engage citizens in support of a free and equitable society. https://spotlightee.org/. 

PLEASE help us get the word out.  Copy this information and email/text it to your Park Ridge friends.   Please let us know if you post on trustworthy social media sites so we can follow them.  actionridge2017@gmail.com  

Thanks in advance for Voting AND getting the word out. 

‍Make a date with a friend to go together to VOTE. 

Registration Information
‍

To Register to Vote and/or Change a Name or Address

Vote.org

https://www.vote.org

Vote411.org

https://www.411vote.org

Elections.il.gov

https://www.elections.il.gov

Cook County Clerk

https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/agency/elections

To Register on Election Day or
During Early Voting

After 2/17/26, you may register in person during early voting at ANY Early Voting Site in Suburban Cook County through election day: March 2-26, 2026.

Residents who are not registered to vote may also register and cast a ballot on Election day at your regular polling place, thanks to same-day registration and voting.

Those who wish to register must present two qualifying forms of ID:

    When Must I Mail My Mail-In / Absentee Ballot to be Counted?

    RETURNING YOUR MAIL BALLOT? USPS POSTMARK RULES HAVE CHANGED! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. PREVIOUSLY:  Mail was postmarked the day you dropped it in the mailbox. NOT ANY MORE!  Mail is now postmarked the day it is processed at the post office, sometimes days later.
    Your ballot must be postmarked no later than the day of election.

    Drop Boxes for Absentee Ballots

    the safest alternative to mailing

    If you're worried about your ballot not getting delivered on time, a secure Dropbox will be available at Early Voting sites - to be identified.  Walk up and drop off your completed ballot.

          Other locations in Cook County

          https://cookcountyclerk.com/service/early-voting-locations

          If you don't live in Cook County, check with your County Clerk.

          In Person Voting Information

          Primary March 17, 2026

          • ‍
          General November 3, 2026
          And want to vote on Election Day

          Find Your Polling Place

          Polls will be open from 6am - 7pm

          Vote.org

          https://www.vote.org

          Vote411.org

          https://www.411vote.org

          Elections.il.gov

          https://www.elections.il.gov

          Cook County Clerk

          https://www.cookcountyclerk.com/agency/elections
          Action Ridge
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          actionridge2017@gmail.com