Dem, GOP candidates begin signature-gathering for 2026

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – Political candidates have begun gathering signatures on their nominating petitions for Illinois’ primary elections next March.

Illinois State Board of Elections Public Information Officer Matt Dietrich said filing dates are Oct. 27 through Nov. 3 for Democrats and Republicans to submit their petitions for the March 17 primaries.

“Depending on what office they’re running for, there is a required number of registered voter signatures that they have to gather,” Dietrich told The Center Square.

Candidates were able to start collecting signatures Aug. 5.

“The big offices, the statewide offices, United States senator and then all the constitutional officers, governor, etc. have to collect 5,000 signatures and turn them in to us. Generally, candidates will collect a good number more than is required. Typically, you’ll have them turning in 8,000 to 10,000 signatures if they’re running statewide,” Dietrich said.

Dietrich said the signature requirements are lower for seats in the General Assembly.

“If you’re running for the Illinois state Senate you have to collect 1,000 signatures. If you’re running for the Illinois state House you’re required to collect 500 signatures,” Dietrich said.

For U.S. House candidates, Dietrich said signature requirements are calculated based on the number of people who voted in the previous primary election in that congressional district.

“Depending on the party and the district, you may have to collect as few as 232 signatures or as many as 1,555 signatures. There’s a big range,” Dietrich explained.

Dietrich said candidates for county offices file with their county clerks or local election authorities.

Filing is not the final step. Dietrich said people can file objections to candidacies from Nov. 3-10. Illinois State Board of Elections hearing officers consider the objections and potential challenges to the objections, which could extend into the early-voting period for the primaries.

Independents and candidates from other non-established parties have a separate schedule for filing petitions, because they don’t have primary elections and instead go directly to the ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

“If you’re thinking of running as an independent or if you’re going to run as a new party candidate, you can start passing your petitions on Feb. 25,” Dietrich said.

Filing for these candidates is May 18-25, 2026.

The 2026 Candidates Guide is available on the Illinois State Election Board’s website.