Illinois Democratic and Republican voters will soon decide their party’s nominees for races at the federal and state levels, as well as in a few local races, during the March 17 primary election. Early voting kicks off Thursday, Feb. 5. Winners of the party primaries will advance to the general election on Nov. 3.

Four top Republican candidates are vying to unseat Gov. JB Pritzker, who is seeking a rare third term. The last governor in Illinois to have served at least three terms was Republican Gov. Jim Thompson, who completed four between 1977 and 1991. Pritzker, who has no competition in the primary, would be the first Democrat in Illinois history to win three terms as governor.

Excitement for Democrats exists elsewhere on the primary ballot.

Illinois’ senior senator, Dick Durbin, declined to run for a sixth term after nearly three decades in the position. The top Democratic names in the race include Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly and Raja Krishnamoorthi. Due to a mix of congressional representatives running for Senate and retirements, five of Illinois’ 17 U.S. House races will not feature an incumbent.

When is the primary election?

March 17. Polls will be open in Illinois on that day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone in line by 7 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

What primary races will be decided?

Primary elections for federal, state and local races will all be on the ballot with voters deciding who will advance to the general election for the following offices. To see who is already representing you, click here and enter your home address.

• U.S. Senate
• U.S. House
• Governor and Lieutenant Governor
• Attorney General
• Secretary of State
• Comptroller
• Treasurer
• Illinois Senate
• Illinois House
• School Board
• Circuit Court Judge
• County offices

Key dates to remember

Feb. 5: First day to vote early or by mail.

Feb. 17: Last day to register to vote by mail.

Feb. 18: First day of grace period for same-day registration and voting.

March 1: Last day for online voter registration. The grace period for in-person registration is still available.

March 12: Last day for the election authority to receive mail-in vote applications.

March 17: Election Day. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Am I eligible to vote?

According to the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, city voters must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be 17 years old on or before March 17 and turn 18 on or before the date of the General Election.
• Live in the same precinct at least 30 days before the election.
• Not claim the right to vote elsewhere.
• Not be in prison/jail serving time for a conviction.

According to the Illinois State Board of Elections, Illinois voters must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• 18 years old or will be 18 by the date of the upcoming general or consolidated election.
• Live in the same precinct at least 30 days before the election.

Am I already registered to vote?

To check your voting status, go to the state’s registration lookup here.

How do I register to vote?

Registering to vote can be done online, in person or by mail.

If you wish to register by mail, first download and complete the registration form from the Illinois State Board of Elections website here. Then mail that form, as well as a copy of a valid photo ID or a government document that shows your name and address, like a utility bill or bank statement, to your local election authority. You may also mail it to 2329 S. MacArthur Blvd., Springfield, IL 62704.

If you are a Chicago resident who wants to register by mail, download the Board of Elections form and return it — or mail it in — to 69 W. Washington St., Sixth Floor, Chicago, IL, 60602.

The deadline for mail registration is Feb. 17.

To register online, fill out the form on the State Board of Elections website here. Be prepared to show proper identification. The deadline to do so is March 1.

To register in person on the March 17 primary or during early voting, you must bring two forms of identification, one of which must list your current address. Here is a list of acceptable forms of ID.

If you are registered to vote and your address is correct, then you do not need to bring your ID — though it’s not a bad idea to bring it in case your signature doesn’t match the one on file.

What if I moved?

You can register online using your new address — even if your Illinois driver’s license or state-issued ID still displays your old address.

If you moved to your current address at least 30 days before Election Day, then vote at the precinct polling place for your new/current address. You may update your registration and vote at your new precinct polling place with two forms of ID, at least one of which shows your current address.

If you moved within Chicago less than 30 days before Election Day, then vote at the precinct polling place for your old address. Not sure where your polling place is? Search for it here using your ZIP code and address.

Where can I vote in person on Election Day?

To find out where your local polling location is, type in your address and ZIP code here.

What methods can I use to vote at my polling place?

In Chicago, voters have two ways to cast a ballot: mark a paper ballot or use a touch-screen voting machine. Both systems provide a paper trail for all ballots cast.

For voters outside the city, find out what voting systems are utilized in the county where you live by using the Illinois State Board of Elections tool.

You can bring written or printed materials into the voting booth, but you may be required to remove or cover up campaign clothing, buttons or stickers, according to the ACLU of Illinois.

Never take a photo of your completed ballot and post it on social media — it’s a felony. Take a photo of your “I voted” sticker outside the polling place instead.

If your voter registration record cannot be found, then you may be issued a provisional ballot.

How can I vote by mail?

Those who live in Chicago and want to vote by mail can do so by applying online or using the mail-in form.

Any registered voter in Illinois can request a vote-by-mail ballot. Applications for each Illinois county are available here.

What if I’ve already received a mail-in ballot, but want to participate in early voting instead?

If you decide to vote early in person but have already received a mail-in ballot, bring that ballot with you when you go to vote in person to have the mailed ballot canceled.

Where do I return my mail-in ballot?

Voters can return their ballots by mail, deliver them in person to their local election authority, or drop them in a secure drop box. Check the State Board of Elections website for a list of drop box locations.

One important note: Completed mail-in ballots cannot be accepted at polling places or early voting locations (unless drop boxes are available at those sites). Voters who attempt to do this will be offered the option to surrender their ballot and vote in person instead.

Chicago voters can mail their ballot or deposit it at any of the Chicago Board of Elections’ secured drop boxes. One important note: Each ballot must include the signed and sealed return envelope bearing the voter’s name.

Where can I vote in person in Chicago prior to Election Day?

If you find yourself unavailable to cast your ballot in person on Election Day, you can vote early.

In Chicago, early voting begins Feb. 12 at two locations: Chicago Board of Elections (sixth floor, board offices), 69 W. Washington St., and the new Loop Super Site, 137 S. State St. Hours are 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday (through March 8). Weekday hours change to 9 a.m.-7 p.m. March 9-16. (Note: The Chicago Board of Elections site will not be open to voters on Election Day.)

Early voting expands to polling places in each ward on March 2. Here’s a list of where you can vote early in each ward. Search here to find out what ward you live in.

Chicago residents can vote at any early voting site, regardless of their ward. Not sure which location is most convenient for you? Find the closest one using this tool. The Chicago Board of Elections will also take calls from voters looking for information at its Early Voting Election Central at 312-269-7900.

Early voters in Chicago may choose to vote in one of 12 languages: English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Korean, Tagalog, Gujarati, Urdu, Arabic, Ukrainian and Russian.

Can I see a sample ballot?

Yes. Submit your name and address in the Chicago Board of Elections voter information lookup tool to not only view a sample ballot, but also verify your voter registration and locate your polling place.

Outside the city, contact your local election authority to see a sample ballot.

Where can I vote if I live outside Chicago?

If you live outside Chicago, select a jurisdiction to find out where you can vote prior to Election Day.

Consult your local jurisdiction below for mail-in ballot and early voting information.

Locations and hours of operation are subject to change, so check with your local jurisdiction for latest information.

Suburban Cook County

DuPage County

Kane County

Lake County

McHenry County

Will County

Votes cast early aren’t counted until polls close on March 17.

Sources: Chicago Board of Elections; the counties; Tribune reporting