Patch's March 2018 Illinois Primary Voters Guide

Are you voting early or do you love the excitement of voting on election day? Can you still register to vote? Patch has compiled helpful links and info for the upcoming Illinois gubernatorial primary on March 20. Candidates are vying for their party’s nominations for the midterm election in November.

Up for grabs are party nominations for governor and other statewide offices, congressional primaries, Illinois state legislature, judicial posts and other seats.

Voters will be asked select a specific party ballot -- Democrat, Republican, Green, Libertarian -- to choose the candidate to represent that party in the general election this November.

Register to Vote

Voters can register online up until Sunday, March 4 at the Illinois State Board of Elections to vote in the upcoming primary.

Grace Period Registration and Voting

Grace period registration and voting extends the registration period by allowing voters to register and vote up until Monday, March, 19, the day before the Illinois primary.

Guidelines limit when and where grace period registrants can vote during the 27 day grace period. Voters must register and vote in person at one of the Will County Clerk’s designated grace period locations.

Individuals wishing to vote during the grace period must bring two pieces of identification to register, one with a current address. Grace period registrants must immediately cast their ballot after registering to vote.

Election Day Registration and Voting

Voters who are not registered to vote can register and vote at their home precinct only.

Voters planning on registering to vote or updating their address on election day must bring two pieces of identification to register, one with a current address.

Find Your Polling Place

Will County voters can use the county clerk’s election services guide to find out who’s on their ballot, registration status, early polling place, and election day polling place. Voters can search for their proper polling place and sample ballot via address or birthday. Here's what you need to know if you live in Kendall County.

Aurora voters can find their polling place and sample ballot on the Aurora Election Commission website.

Early Voting

Registered voters in Will County can cast a ballot at the county clerk's office through March 19. Statewide, early voting starts March 5. Find early voting locations, dates and hours.

Voters do not need to provide an excuse or reason why they cannot vote on Election Day. A government-issued, valid ID is not required but is helpful if there is a question about your voter registration.

You can Register to Vote at ALL Early Voting Sites. NOTE: Any voter who needs to register for the first time or file an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter's current address.

Candidates Guides

The League of Women Voters of Illinois has compiled a non-partisan candidate’s guide to the upcoming March 20 primary. The guide includes candidate bios, stances and endorsements.

The BGA (Better Government Association) has also compiled a voters guide for the primary.

Image via Shutterstock

By Lorraine Swanson/Patch Staff