Evanston 2026 Primary Election Guide: What You Need To Know

EVANSTON, IL — This St. Patrick's Day, Evanston voters will be taking a break from festivities to cast their votes in the 2026 General Primary Election.

Early voting is already underway, and there is still time to get ahead of the crowds on Election Day. The early voting period will run until March 16 at the Robert Crown Community Center in Evanston.

The early voting centers will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on March 13, 14 and 16. On March 15, the centers will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Early Voting Under Way Now In Evanston: What To Know

If you not sure if you have registered to vote, you can check online. If you're not registered, even though online voter registration has closed, you can still register in person the same day you vote, whether you vote early or on Election Day.

To register in person, you'll need to bring two forms of ID or proof of residency, including a passport, driver's license, lease or mortgage. At least one form of ID must list your current address.

If you plan to vote on Election Day and don't know your polling place, you can find it here. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

How To Register To Vote In Evanston

Here's a rundown of what's on the ballot for the March 17 primary:

U.S. Senate

A crowded field of Democrats looks to replace longtime Sen. Dick Durbin, the House Minority Whip, who is not seeking reelection after over 40 years in Washington.

"I truly love the job of being a United States Senator," said 81-year-old Durbin, who is the longest-serving senator ever elected to the body from Illinois. "But in my heart, I know it’s time to pass the torch." And there are plenty of candidates vying to step up and take it.

The Democratic primary ballot includes Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who is backed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, as well as U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly of Lynwood and Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg.

Other candidates are Awisi Bustos, daughter-in-law of former U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, as well as Steve Botsford Jr., Sean Brown, Jonathan Dean, Bryan Maxwell, Kevin Ryan and Christopher Swann, as well as write-in Adam Delgado.

On the Republican side are former Illinois Republican Party chairman Don Tracy, attorney Jeannie Evans and Polish-born entrepreneur Casey Chlebek, as well as R. Cary Capparelli, Pamela Denise Long and Jimmy Lee Tillman II.

Governor

Incumbent Gov. J.B. Pritzker is seeking a third term and is unopposed in the Democratic primary. With Stratton vying for the U.S. Senate seat, this time Pritzker's ticket includes former deputy governor and state Rep. Christian Mitchell as his running mate.

Four candidates are vying for the Republican nomination, including former state Sen. Darren Bailey, who ran unsuccessfully against Pritzker in 2022.

Bailey, with running mate Aaron B. Del Mar, remained in the race after tragedy struck when his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren were killed in a Montana helicopter crash in October.

Bailey's Republican primary opponents include Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski, as well as DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick and Gold Rush Gaming owner Rick Heidner.

Secretary of State

Incumbent Democrat Alexi Giannoulias is unopposed in his primary.

Two candidates are facing off in the Republican primary: Republican committeeman Walter Adamczyk and Diane Harris, a Joliet small business owner and former teacher.

Comptroller

Four Democrats are vying to replace Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who announced in July that she would not seek a fourth term.

They include Illinois State Sen. Karina Villa, State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, Mendoza-backed Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim and Pritzker-backed State Rep. Margaret Croke.

Southern Illinois attorney Bryan Drew is running unopposed in the Republican primary.

Other statewide primary races are a foregone conclusion. In the Illinois Attorney General's race, Democratic incumbent Kwame Raoul and Republican Robert W. Fioretti are unopposed in their primaries. In the treasurer's race, Democrat Michael Frerichs is unopposed in his primary, and there are no Republican primary candidates on the ballot.

Other Races To Watch

In the 9th Congressional District, which includes parts of the north side of Chicago as well as the suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, Glenview and Buffalo Grove, longtime Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is also not seeking reelection.

Fifteen Democrats are hoping to take her place, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, former journalist and political content creator Katherine “Kat” Abughazaleh and state Sen. Laura Fine.

Also on the ballot are Bushara Amiwala, Phil Andrew, Patricia Brown, Jeff Cohen, Justin Ford, Mark Fredrickson, Illinois state Rep. Hoan Huynh, Bethany Johnson, Sam Polan, Nick Pyati, Howard Rosenblum and state Sen. Mike Simmons.

On the Republican primary ballot are Rocio Cleveland, John Elleson, Paul Friedman and Mark Su.

The winners of each primary will go on to run in the Nov. 3 general election.

The November midterm elections are being watched closely nationwide as Democrats look to take control of the House — and possibly, but less likely, the Senate.