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Illinois's Primaries

Partisan Primary Types​

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Presidential PrimariesState PrimariesPresidential PrimariesState Primaries
partially-open partially-open partially-open partially-open

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: Yes

Illinois is one of the states that have merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries/caucuses and State primaries are scheduled to run on the same date.

Illinois does not have a political party registration system. However, in a primary election, you must select one political party ballot to vote or request a non-partisan ballot (public questions only) if available. You have the freedom to change your party choice in each primary election.

Voting In Primaries​

  • In a primary election, a voter must declare a party affiliation at the polling place to receive a ballot. Each party’s slate of candidates is listed on a separate ballot, and a voter may select only one ballot. This is known as a closed primary. Even though voters must declare a party at a primary election, they may vote for any candidate from any party in the general election.

Delegates and Presidential Primaries​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election.

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.
174 147 27 12 64 64 61

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party's Proportional Delegates Allocation​

In 2024, Illinois's Democratic party will send a total of 174 Delegate Votes and 12 Alternate Delegates to the DNC national convention. Of the 174 delegate votes, 147 Pledged Delegate Votes (96 District-level delegates, 32 At-Large, and 19 PLEOs) and 27 Automatic Delegate Votes.

147 of 174 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are pledged to presidential contenders based on the results of the voting in Illinois Presidential Primary. A mandatory 15% threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be pledged National Convention delegates at either the congressional district or statewide level.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 96
  • At-large Delegates: 32
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 19
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 27
  • Alternate Delegates: 12

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 15
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 10
  • Dem. Gorvernors: 1
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 1

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party Delegates Allocation​

All 64 of Illinois' delegates (Winner-Take-All) to the Republican National Convention will be bound to Presidential Candidates based on the results of Illinois Presidential Primary.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with the State Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 51
  • At-large Delegates: 10
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 61

NOTES​

This page contains primary election rules and Presidential Primary delegates allocation information on elections occurring across the country

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation apply to statewide partisan primary elections in most cases. However, check with your Town Clerk for primary voting guide as they may vary by town and political party.Please be advised that the information provided on this site is updated regularly but is subject to scheduling changes at the local level.

The information provided on the page was validated using the following resourses: