Election 101: So, After Iowa and NH, When Are All the Primaries?
We are less than two weeks away from the start of the 2016 presidential primary and caucus season. On Feb. 1, the Iowa caucuses will kick off the 2016 election cycle. A little over a week later, the New Hampshire primaries will follow. The process goes on through spring as both parties choose a presidential ticket for the 2016 election.
As a U.S. citizen, your vote is not only something politicians compete for, but your constitutional right. And exercising that right is as American as the stars and stripes. Before election year officially takes off, you can get ready with these steps for participating in the Illinois primary.
- Mark the calendar. Primaries and caucuses take place from February to mid-June leading up to the Nov. 8 election. Ours here in Kane County, IL, is March 15. Be sure to check out the Kane County Clerk’s Office Election webpages at www.kanecountyelections.org for more information.
- Register to vote. If you’re not already a registered voter, go to this Voter Registration page on the County Clerk’s website to begin the process.
- Research candidates. Debates, town halls, speeches and campaign events — election year is many things, but boring is not one of them. Study the issues, learn how to research candidates, and find out what to look for before, during, and after a debate.
- Make a plan. It may sound obvious, but having a voting plan is one of the most important things you can do after registering. Work, school, picking up the kids and grocery shopping can make any day hectic. Making a plan to get to your polling station is key. Are you driving? Taking the bus? If you know you won’t be able to make it, you may be able to vote absentee ahead of time. Active military members can also vote absentee and make their voices heard at the polls. Plan ahead and make sure you get your vote in on time.
- Spread the word. Friends, family and acquaintances often talk politics, but sometimes don’t make it to the ballot box. Make sure those around are as prepared as you. If they haven’t registered, send them to Vote.USA.gov to register. Be the informed one in your group.
Kane County Info
- Register Online
- Register By Mail
- Register In Person
- Deadlines
- Eligibility
- Acceptable Forms of ID
- Additional Information
When Is Super Tuesday 2016?
Illinois’ primary is on March 15 — after the March 1 “Super Tuesday,” which means our state’s primary could be super-important to the process of selecting a nominee for president or not much of a factor at all.
In general, Super Tuesday refers to the Tuesday in February or March of a presidential election year when the greatest number of states hold primary elections to select delegates to national conventions at which each party’s presidential candidates are officially nominated. More delegates can be won on Super Tuesday than on any other single day of the primary calendar, according to Wikipedia.
Super Tuesday in the 2016 election cycle is scheduled to be held on March 1, 2016. This date has been dubbed the “SEC Primary,” since many of the participating states are represented in the U.S. collegiate Southeastern Conference.
The participating states include: Alabama, Alaska (GOP), Arkansas, Colorado caucuses, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota caucuses, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia.
SOURCE: USA.gov, Kane County Clerk’s Office website
2016 Primary Elections by State and Territory
This chart lists the 2016 State primary election dates in all the States, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories. This chart also lists primary runoff dates (if applicable); States with U.S. Senate races; the number of House Districts for each State/Territory and those States with Gubernatorial races.
| U.S. Senate | U.S. Representative | Governor | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | March 1 | March 1 | April 12 | Yes | 7 | No |
| Alaska | August 16 | – | Yes | 1 | Yes | |
| American Samoa | – | – | – | 1 delegate | No | |
| Arizona | March 22 | August 30 | – | Yes | 9 | No |
| Arkansas | March 1 | March 1 | March 22 | Yes | 4 | No |
| California | June 7 | – | – | Yes | 53 | No |
| Colorado | June 28 | – | Yes | 7 | No | |
| Connecticut | April 26 | August 9 | – | Yes | 5 | No |
| Delaware | April 26 | September 13 | – | No | 1 | Yes |
| District of Columbia | June 14 | June 14 | – | – | 1 delegate | No |
| Florida | March 15 | August 30 | – | Yes | 27 | No |
| Georgia | March 1 | May 24 | July 26 | Yes | 14 | No |
| Guam | August 27 | – | – | 1 delegate | No | |
| Hawaii | August 13 | – | Yes | 2 | No | |
| Idaho | Republican: March 8 | May 17 | – | Yes | 2 | No |
| Illinois | March 15 | March 15 | – | Yes | 18 | No |
| Indiana | May 3 | May 3 | – | Yes | 9 | Yes |
| Iowa | June 7 | – | Yes | 4 | No | |
| Kansas | August 2 | – | Yes | 4 | No | |
| Kentucky | Democratic: May 17 | May 17 | – | Yes | 6 | No |
| Louisiana | March 5 | November 8 | December 10 | Yes | 6 | No |
| Maine | June 14 | – | No | 2 | No | |
| Maryland | April 26 | April 26 | – | Yes | 8 | No |
| Massachusetts | March 1 | September 8 | – | No | 9 | No |
| Michigan | March 8 | August 2 | – | No | 14 | No |
| Minnesota | August 9 | – | No | 8 | No | |
| Mississippi | March 8 | March 8 | March 29 | No | 4 | No |
| Missouri | March 15 | August 2 | – | Yes | 8 | Yes |
| Montana | June 7 | June 7 | – | Yes | 1 | Yes |
| Nebraska | May 10 | May 10 | – | Yes | 3 | No |
| Nevada | June 14 | – | Yes | 4 | No | |
| New Hampshire | September 13 | – | Yes | 2 | No | |
| New Jersey | June 7 | June 7 | – | No | 12 | No |
| New Mexico | June 7 | June 7 | – | No | 3 | No |
| New York | April 19 | June 28 | – | Yes | 27 | No |
| North Carolina | March 15 | March 15 | May 24 | Yes | 13 | Yes |
| North Dakota | June 14 | – | Yes | 1 | Yes | |
| Ohio | March 15 | March 15 | – | Yes | 16 | No |
| Oklahoma | March 1 | June 28 | August 23 | Yes | 5 | No |
| Oregon | May 17 | May 17 | – | Yes | 5 | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | April 26 | April 26 | – | Yes | 18 | No |
| Puerto Rico | Republican: March 6 | June 5 | – | – | 1 resident | Yes |
| Rhode Island | April 26 | September 13 | – | No | 2 | No |
| South Carolina | Republican: February 20 Democratic: February 27 |
June 14 | June 28 | Yes | 7 | No |
| South Dakota | June 7 | June 7 | August 16 | Yes | 1 | No |
| Tennessee | March 1 | August 4 | – | No | 9 | No |
| Texas | March 1 | March 1 | May 24 | No | 36 | No |
| Utah | June 28 | – | Yes | 4 | Yes | |
| Vermont | March 1 | August 9 | – | Yes | 1 | Yes |
| Virgin Islands | August 6 | – | – | 1 delegate | No | |
| Virginia | March 1 | June 14 | – | No | 11 | No |
| Washington | May 24 | August 2 | – | Yes | 10 | Yes |
| West Virginia | May 10 | May 10 | – | No | 3 | Yes |
| Wisconsin | April 5 | August 9 | – | Yes | 8 | No |
| Wyoming | August 16 | – | No | 1 | No |
