The General Election isn’t until November 3, 2026 , but candidates for all positions up for election need signatures on nominating petitions. August 5 was the first day to circulate petitions, so don’t be surprised if someone knocks on your door asking for signatures.
It would not be unusual for a volunteer to be carrying petitions for for multiple candidates for various elected posts, and ask you to sign more than just the one. The Primary Election is March 17, 2026. The primary winners in each party plus those who were not challenged by an opponent in the Primary move on to the General Election. In the event either party has no candidate, there is a window in time after the primary and before the General for the parties to “slate” a candidate for those empty ballot slots. In case you are wondering (I was) a candidate who loses in their primary race may not be slated for that position in that election cycle.
To sign a petition for a Democratic candidate, you must live in the area that candidate will represent if elected, and you must be a Democrat registered to vote at your current address. In Illinois party affiliation is loosely constructed. If you say you are a Democrat, welcome aboard. When we choose doors to knock on for petitions, we target people who have voting records that would indicate that the person or persons in that household is a Democrat. Once you have signed a petition for any Democratic candidate in this election cycle, you may not sign for any Republican; to do so invalidates your signature on both petitions. However, once you have signed for one Democrat, you may sign for as many Democrats as you choose during this cycle.
Many thanks to the volunteers who are helping to circulate petitions for me and other Democrats.
