Are you ready to vote in the Illinois primary elections? Check out this guide
ROCKFORD — The 2022 primary election will be held Tuesday, sending voters from all over the area to the polls.
Ballots contain a number of contested races, as parties have been vying to select nominees in every statewide office, including governor, attorney general and secretary of state. There are also a host of local races.
The year marks the first time in decades the primary is held in June. The Illinois General Assembly passed a bill in 2021 moving the election from March 15 to June 28. That means deadlines for filing petitions and registering to vote ahead of the primary has also changed.
Here are some things to note before you head to your polling place.
What are some key races in the year’s Illinois primary elections?
There are several local contested races including Winnebago County Board, Winnebago County Clerk, and Winnebago County Treasurer. In Boone County, there are contested Republican races for sheriff, county board and circuit clerk. Stephenson County GOP races include county clerk, sheriff and county board.
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Key statewide races include governor and lieutenant governor, attorney general, comptroller, secretary of state, General Assembly and treasurer. At the federal level, candidates are running for U.S. Senate and U.S. Congress.
Can I still register to vote in Illinois?
The deadline to register was May 31, but there is a grace period that allows people to register to vote in-person through Election Day. Grace-period registration must be done at an election office, permanent polling place or other site approved by the Illinois State Board of Elections.
Can I still vote early in Illinois?
Early voting is open through June 27. Early votes will not be counted until after polls close at 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Can I vote by mail in Illinois?
The deadline to request a mail-in ballot in Illinois is June 23. If you made the deadline and received a ballot, you still have time to fill it out and either mail it or drop it off at your local election office. Ballots must be postmarked by June 28. Ballots that are not postmarked on time will not be counted.
Where is my polling place in the Rockford area?
If you do not know the location of your polling place, as long as you know your zip code and address, you can find visiting the Illinois State Board of Elections or your local election office. In the Rockford area, there are several offices: the Rockford Board of Elections, the Winnebago County Clerk's office, the Boone County Clerk's office and the Stephenson County Clerk's office.
Do I need ID to vote in Illinois?
Illinois does not require residents to produce identification as most registered voters have already submitted their driver’s license number, state ID number and the last four digits of their social security number. First-time voters who registered by mail and did not submit their driver’s license and social security numbers are required to produce identification when voting.
First-time voters who do not have a state ID or driver’s license are permitted to produce an alternative form of identification such as a utility bill, government check, bank statement, residential lease, student ID, or government document.
What time do Illinois polls close?
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Tuesday,.
Sample ballots
Click here to view a sample ballot in Winnebago County. Click here to view a sample in Boone County.
Jim Hagerty covers general news, schools, and courts. Contact him at jhagerty@rrstar.com and @jimhagerty.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: IL primary elections: What to know for Winnebago, Boone counties
