How, When, and Where to Vote in Champaign County in the March 2026 Primary Election
Voting isn’t just a right, it’s a responsibility and a privilege. All elections impact our collective futures.
On March 17, voters across Illinois will go to the polls for a primary election. This election determines which candidate will represent a given party in the General Election on Nov. 3.
The main goal of this article is to make it as easy as possible for area voters to cast ballots in the March 2026 primary, whether one votes by mail, votes early — it’s possible to vote starting Feb. 5 — or vote on Election Day itself. Read on to find out how, when, and where you can vote.
The election information in this post is compiled by Chambanamoms.com as a courtesy, and we do our best to keep it accurate and up-to-date. The Office of the Champaign County Clerk is the authoritative source of all election information in Champaign County. To get voting information for other east central Illinois counties, see links below.
What’s on the ballot?
Once you choose which party’s primary you’d like to vote in — either Democrat or Republican — you’ll be selecting candidates to represent that party in November’s general election. Some races have a single candidate listed (someone running unopposed in the primary to represent their party in November) and some have no candidates at all (and therefore no one running in the general election).
I will be 18 years old in November. Can I vote in this primary?
Yes! Seventeen-year-olds may register and vote in a general primary if they will turn 18 on or before the following general election, as long as they meet other voter registration requirements.
How do I know if I am registered to vote?
The Illinois online voter registration website allows citizens to register to vote.
If you have never voted in Champaign County, you may still need to register to vote. Find voter registration information here; there are many ways to register up to and including the date of the primary election.
How do I vote by mail?
All voters are eligible to vote by mail; you must simply request, complete, and return the ballot on time. All ballots come with a postage-paid envelope! The last day the County Clerk will fulfill a vote-by-mail request is five days prior to the election, or March 12. (A ballot may be requested online, over the phone, or by mail, as long as your request is received by March 12.)
- For a ballot to be counted, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day — March 17.
- All vote by mail ballots come with tracking, meaning voters will know when a ballot is en route to you and when it has been received by the County Clerk.
- Voters may choose to return ballots in an authorized drop box by 7 p.m. on March 17.
What is a ballot drop box? Where are they located?
These are 24-hour-accessible, ¼-inch steel, waterproof, highly secure boxes that are screwed into cement pads at 11 locations (under “Returning Your Ballot”) in Champaign-Urbana and other Champaign County locations. The contents of each dropbox are retrieved daily by two election judges (one from each party) and taken directly to the County Clerk’s office, rather than using the postal service. The tracking on your ballot will let you know when it has been secured at its destination.
When and where can I vote early?
Here’s the fine print on early voting: “All eligible voters can vote early and they can vote at ANY of the early voting locations. Once a voter has voted early, they cannot rescind that vote. It is final.” At each location, a ballot is printed for each early voter, so your ballot will include only the races tied to your address of record.
Early voting opens on Feb. 5 at the Bennett Center, 102 E. Main St., Urbana. Additional sites throughout the county will open March 9.
For the complete list of early voting sites and their operating days/times, visit this website.
Can I vote early even if I requested a ballot by mail?
Yes. According to the County Clerk, take your vote by mail ballot with you to your polling place, surrender it to the election judge, and they will issue you a new ballot to use in person. (If you do not have your vote by mail ballot, you may ask the election judge to let you sign an affidavit stating that you will destroy it.) You are encouraged to use your vote by mail ballot if you have it. If you’re not comfortable mailing it back, you can take it to a drop box (described above).
Where’s my polling place on Election Day? What district am I in? Does it matter?
On Election Day, the county’s polling places are open from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. You may check the County Clerk’s website for the most up-to-date listing of open polling places, as this information may change according to last-minute factors such as availability of trained election judge volunteers.
All polling places in Champaign County are universally open to all voters or anyone eligible to be a voter in Champaign County. While each voter technically is assigned a home polling place in proximity to a home address, it is not required to vote at that location. Your personalized ballot will be printed for you at whatever location you visit.
This means if you encounter a long line at one location — not likely to happen in a primary election, but you never know — you can leave and go to any other polling location to cast your vote in person.
Reminder: if you are in line at any polling place when it closes, you have the right to cast your vote.
What ID should I bring to vote?
Generally, no identification or “voter card” is required to vote at the polling place. If you have not changed your voter registration address or name since the last election and your signature matches the signature on your registration, you should not need to show ID. If you have updated your voter registration address or name, or your signature does not match, you may be asked for ID. If you are concerned at all about your identification, we’ve linked to valid forms of ID voters can use.
Where can I find voting information for other counties?
Piatt County | Douglas County | Vermilion County | Ford County
For additional counties in Illinois, check the Illinois Board of Elections list of election authorities.
Can I bring my kids to vote?
Voting is exciting! Yes, kids are allowed at the polls through the whole process. If you’re lucky enough to have a polling location that uses curtains for privacy, they’ll love that — I know mine do! Early voting is a great way to bring the kids – typically no lines.
Can I post a selfie of me and my ballot?
Photographing a marked ballot is actually a felony in Illinois. Proceed at your own risk.
No matter your ideology, we all need to make sure we use our voices. So GO VOTE! And then flaunt your “I Voted” sticker for all to see.