Batavia 2026 Primary Election Guide: Who's Running, What You Need To Know

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Early voting is well underway in the March 17 primary as Illinois and the nation head toward the midterm elections in November. In Batavia, the government center at 100 N. Island Ave. will offer early voting, which began March 2 and will go through March 16. To register in person, you'll need to bring two forms of ID or proof of residency. If you want to vote by mail, you must apply online or in person by 5 p.m. on March 12 through your county's election authority. The polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Why it matters

The Illinois primary is a key step in the 2026 midterm elections, with several high-profile races on the ballot including U.S. Senate, Governor, and other statewide offices. The results of these primaries will shape the general election matchups in November, which could have significant implications for the balance of power in Congress and the state government.

The details

The Democratic primary ballot for U.S. Senate includes Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi, and several other candidates. On the Republican side are former Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy, attorney Jeannie Evans, and others. For Governor, incumbent Democrat J.B. Pritzker is unopposed in the primary, while four Republicans including former state Sen. Darren Bailey are vying for the GOP nomination. Other key races include Secretary of State, Comptroller, and several Congressional districts.

• Early voting began on March 2 and will continue through March 16.
• The Illinois primary election is on March 17, 2026.
• The general election will be held on November 3, 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The winners of the March 17 primaries will advance to the November 3, 2026 general election, where control of Congress and the Illinois state government will be at stake.