INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FILING PERIOD OPENS

The window opens today for independent and new party candidates to file for state and federal offices in Illinois. Hopefuls have been gathering signatures since February 25 and must submit their paperwork to the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield by May 25. This process is a crucial step for those outside the two major parties, offering a pathway onto the November 3, 2026, general election ballot. The week-long period is expected to see a variety of candidates step forward, each aiming to shake up the state’s political landscape as the campaign season intensifies.