Bad News: Prepare to Start Petitions Sooner

On our latest Smoke-Filled Room, we talked about Illinois Democrats’ brazen attempt to stifle democracy by stopping Republicans from being able to slate candidates in the current election.

Also tucked into that legislation was a provision moving up the petition period! The change moves the entire petition process for candidates up 4 weeks earlier.

All candidates for future elections will need to be ready earlier, now:

  • Upcoming 2025 Municipal Election – Municipal and Township Candidates: Petitions are now due 120-127 days prior to the date of the Primary Election, instead of 92-99 days.
    • Political Party & Nonpartisan Candidates (Nominated on 2.25.25): Filing Period Now 10.21.24-10.28.24 | Plan to start circulating ~July 30th!
    • New Party & Independent Candidates (Elected on 4.1.25): Filing Period Now 11.25.24-12.2.24 (Thanksgiving May Affect Final Dates) | Plan to start circulating ~September 3rd!
  • 2026 Election – County, Judicial, State, and Congressional Candidates: Petitions now due 134-141 days prior to the date of the Primary Election, instead of 106-113 days.
    • Filling Period Now 10.27.25-11.3.25 | Plan to start circulating in early August! (we’ll send the exact date when known)

Cor Strategies is following these changes closely and communicating with the Illinois State Board of Elections so we can share information and be a resource for candidates with questions.

The process to get on the ballot in Illinois is designed to benefit the insiders, and this new law further exacerbates this by extending the election season yet another month.

Let our ballot access expert, Ryan Kilduff, know if you have any questions by emailing him at Ryan@CorStrategies.com.

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