Updates on results for Illinois primary Election Day 2026, candidates as voting closes

The most consequential and closely watched race is arguably the U.S. Senate seat.

Many candidates following the Election Day tradition of gathering at Manny's Deli.

Democrat and Republican candidates are fighting for a chance to replace retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin.

Many candidates following the Election Day tradition of gathering at Manny's Deli.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton stopped by the 8th Ward Democratic office on the South Side with Gov. JB Pritzker.

A new poll of likely Democratic primary voters shows a tight race with Raja Krishnamoorthi leading Juliana Stratton by a razor thin margin, while Robin Kelly trails by double digits.

Krishnamoorthi visited a polling location in Schaumburg on Tuesday morning, one of the communities he represents in the 8th District.

Kelly stopped by Hawthorne School in Lakeview, hoping to swing some voters at a polling site on the city's North Side.

On the Republican side, voters are choosing between several Senate candidates for this primary, including Don Tracy, Jeannie Evans and Casey Chlebek.

Pritzker will also be on the ballot today. He is running unopposed for the Democrats and facing Republican candidates Darren Bailey and Ted Debrowski.

Tuesday morning, the Chicago Voter Super Site at Adams and State in the Loop saw a steady flow of people exercising their tight. It replaced the old site nad Clark and Lake and has roughly 80 voting machines.

Some voters say they want to make sure their voice is heard following recent national and international events.

"We're starting wars overseas, shifting wealth from the poor to the rich. There's just a lot of things going on," voter Freddy Thomas said.

Some voters say they want to make sure their voice is heard following recent national and international events.

There's strong interest in U.S. senate seat being vacated by a retiring Dick Durbin, who occupied the office for nearly 30 years-making him the longest serving senator in Illinois history. Several people of color are vying for the spot.

"I just wanted to make sure I made my voice is heard and that the Black women felt supported today," Lamar Brown said.

Chicago Board of Elections officials said so far, the majority of voters casting ballots are 65 and older, with more women voting than men.

Max Bever with the Chicago Board of Elections joined ABC7 to talk about turnout, what voters heading to the polls need to know and about how to handle mail-in ballots.

Colder weather does not appear to be keeping voters from the polls with turnout rivaling returns seen in 2018.

According to the Chicago Board of Elections, so far Tuesday, nearly 212,000 early vote and vote-by-mail ballots have been cast, compared to the roughly 131,000 recorded in the March 2018 primary.

"We are encouraged by these numbers," Chicago Board of Elections Chairperson Merisel Hernandez said. "We think there are issues out there that people feel strongly about as they do in every election."

While some people will opt to cast their vote in person, others will choose to vote by mail.

"My parents raised us to make sure we voted," voter Bill said. "It didn't matter who voted for, but you better darn vote."

Voters with mail-in ballots are encouraged to drop off their ballots at one of the 52 secure drop boxes at an early voting site, the super site, or at election board headquarters until 7 p.m. Voters can also personally take it to any post office and ask the clerk to postmark it in your presence - just to make sure it will be counted.

The polls are officially open for the Illinois Primary Election.

"Today is the last day to use your voice and cast your ballot. Don't miss your chance.

Hernandez said voters can vote at their assigned polling place or one of the 51 early voting sires.

Voters began heading to the polls in the Illinois Primary.

ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington joined ABC7 to talk about how the races are shaping up.

ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington joined ABC7 to talk about how the races are shaping up.

Illinois voters are heading to the polls for Tuesday's primary election.

Election officials say so far, early voting and vote-by-mail returns have been encouraging if not record-breaking.

Various issues are driving voters to the polls. Election officials said so far they have seen numbers closer to 2018 turnout.

Illinois voters are heading to the polls for Tuesday's primary election.

It's still unclear how Tuesday's cold weather will impact voter turnout.

Same-day voter registration is available with two forms of identification.

While some people will opt to cast their vote in person, others will choose to vote by mail.

Voters with mail-in ballots are encouraged to drop off their ballots at a secure drop box or get them postmarked at a USPS location.

More than 188,000 ballots have already been received including some 85,000 returned by mail.

Nearly 88,000 vote by mail ballots are still outstanding.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. People in line when polls close can still cast their vote.