Petition circulation for established party candidates begins Aug. 5, 2025, with petition filing for established party candidates running Oct. 27-Nov. 3, 2025. Paperwork is due in the McDonough County Clerk's office by 4 p.m. Nov. 3. The 2026 primary will be held March 17, 2026. The general election will be held Nov. 3, 2026.
To appear on the official ballot(s), candidates, including incumbents, must file a petition with the McDonough County Clerk with the required signatures and a statement of economic interest. The specifics will be included in the 2026 Candidates Guide that will be released in the near future by the State Board of Elections.
Requirements include candidates must be a U.S. citizen, be a resident of the county for one year and be a registered voter in the county and not be a convicted felon. Signature requirements include 0.5 percent of the highest vote getter in the last general election (in any office – county, state or federal) for each respective, established party.
*Information provided by McDonough County Clerk Jeremy Benson
