FUN THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW !!!!!!
Tis the season! Precinct Committeepersons, candidates and their volunteers will begin petition signature collection! It runs from August 5th through November 3rd, which is the last day for candidates to file Nominating Papers. Candidates usually wrap up petition season ASAP and weeks before filing deadlines. Petition signatures are how candidates get onto the ballot!
As a PC I will circulate petitions for myself and partake in one of my main duties which is to circulate for candidates. This is one of the most important processes voters can engage in aside from voting! This is also where you and your PC work together as a team!
WHO IS SEEKING BALLOT ACCESS?
PARTISAN
Precinct Committeepersons – elected on March 17, 2026
Candidates for November 2026 General Election – primary on March 17, 2026
NON PARTISAN
Candidates Municipal Election – elected March 17, 2026
(primary on February 3, 2026 if needed)
MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHO / WHAT PARTY YOU ARE SIGNING FOR
Look carefully at the petition presented to you and find the established party the candidate is aligned with. This is very important. The first petition you sign determines the ONLY party you can sign petitions for in an election cycle. Also, you can sign for as many candidates of that party as you like.* Are there 3 Democrats running for County board? Sign for all of them if you choose!
I encourage you to ask more about the candidate at that time. Ask why they are running, how to contact them directly and what their platform is and offer up concerns you have that they can address. Good volunteers will take notes.
As YOUR PC, I already know these things and this is WHY getting to know your local PC is sooooo important!
A signer may not sign petitions for a candidate of more than one political party for the same election. (10 ILCS 5/7-10)
*This differs for Nonpartisan/Independent candidates (municipal election). The number of seats to be elected is the number of petitions that a voter can sign.
Below is a sample of a petition that I will use for my reelection as a PC for the Democratic party of McHenry County. You can see the established party as well as where I will write my full name, address and the election date. The petition format for other offices (county board, senate, congress, etc..) might be a little different but the same candidate info is required. Check petitions carefully before you sign.
NOTE: The party of the candidate you sign for does NOT limit you on who you can vote for in the primary election or the general election. Illinois has an open primary and does not require voters to register by party. Also you can change which established party you sign petitions for in future election cycles.
REQUIREMENTS FOR PETITION SIGNERS
1) Petition signers must use their own signature on the petition. A signer cannot sign for someone else, such as another member of the family or another person in the household.
2) Petition signers must be a registered voter in the political subdivision/district in which the candidate is seeking nomination or election. (10 ILCS 5/3-1.2, 7-10, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4)
3) Petition signers shall indicate on such petition their residence addresses (written or printed) including the street address or rural route number, as well as the city, village or town, county, and state. The state, county, city, village, and town of residence may be pre-printed on the petition form when all of the electors signing the petition form reside therein.
5) Petition signers must be a registered voter from the address shown opposite the signature on the petition. (10 ILCS 5/7-10, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4)
4) Standard abbreviations may be used in writing the residence address.