DeKALB – This Tuesday marks the 2026 Illinois primary election, the primary election is held to nominate federal, state, judicial and county offices and sets the ticket for the general election held in November.
To vote in DeKalb County, voters must be at least 18 years old, U.S. citizens and residents of DeKalb County.
To vote in the primary election, DeKalb County residents are required to be registered to vote. Residents can register in three different ways.
According to the DeKalb county clerk & recorder website, residents can register or update their voter information through the mail by using a mail-in voter registration application. This method must be completed with a signed and postmarked form 28 days before the election.
Online registration is a faster and easier option for most residents, as they can register or update their information through the Illinois Online Vote application.
Lastly, residents can also choose to register in person. The Office of the County Clerk and Recorder, resources banks in Genoa and Shabbona, public libraries in Sycamore and DeKalb and municipal offices allow for in-person voter registration. If residents are unable to meet the registration deadline, registration is available the day of the election at the DeKalb County Administration Building, located at 110 E. Sycamore St.
Same-day registration still allows for voting the day of elections.
Registered voters are encouraged to ensure their voter information is up to date. Updates should be made if the voter has changed any personal information.
If NIU students would like to vote in DeKalb County and not their hometown, they are required to update their voter information as soon as possible to reflect that change.
NIU students who are living in the residence halls and are registered to vote in DeKalb are able to vote at the Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center.
In Illinois, there are currently three Democratic and two Republican candidates running in the Senate primary,
- (D) Raja Krishnamoorthi, his current proposed policies include raising the minimum wage and reforming ICE.
- (D) Juliana Stratton, her current proposed policies include Medicare for all and raising the minimum wage.
- (D) Robin Kelly, her proposed policies include taxing the rich and pushing for gun reform.
- (R) Don Tracy, his proposed policies include cutting government spending and pushing to reduce crime.
- (R) Jeannie Evans, her proposed policies include cutting business regulations and pushing for the acceleration of AI development.
Rep. Lauren Underwood, who represents the Illinois 14th congressional district, is currently the only Democratic candidate in the Democratic Primary for the House. In the past, Underwood said she wouldn’t run for the U.S. Senate to focus on flipping the U.S. House.
There are two current Republican candidates in the Republican Primary for the Illinois 14th congressional district. Gary Vician has said he is running to lower costs, bring back good-paying jobs, establish safe streets and reduce energy costs by expanding all effective energy sources.
James T. Marter is the second Republican candidate in the primary for the 14th congressional district who looks to cut government spending and wants a more secure U.S. border. Marter also believes that working people and families should pay less in taxes.
Polling sites in DeKalb County are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Voters can find their designated polling place on their voter registration card.
