Ogle County candidates had until 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, to turn in their nomination papers as they seek candidacy for the March 17 primary election.

On that day, voters can choose a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot in November 2026. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

Here’s a list of Democratic candidates who have filed their nomination papers in Ogle County:

Precinct committeeperson:

• Muriel M. Messer (D): Buffalo 3
• Meredith Townsend (D): Byron 1
• Rebecca Hines (D): Byron 2
• Beth Bull (D): Byron 4
• Denis Cheek (D): Mt. Morris 3
• Linda Pottinger (D): Oregon-Nashua 4
• Diana L. Speck (D): Oregon-Nashua 6
• Avril Folk (D): Pine Creek
• Nicholas Head (D): Pine Rock
• Maja Shoemaker (D): Rockvale 1

Here’s a list of Republican candidates who have filed their nomination papers in Ogle County:

County clerk:

• Rebecca (Becky) Duke (R)

County treasurer:

• Tiffany O’Brien (R)

Sheriff:

• Brian VanVickle (R)

County Board District 1:

• Zachary S. Oltmanns (R)
• Rick Fritz (R)

County Board District 2:

• Patricia Nordman (R)
• Wayne Reising (R)

County Board District 3:

• Joseph C. Simms (R)
• Karl Hansen (R)

County Board District 4:

• David Williams (R)
• David W. Sawlsville (R)

County Board District 5:

• Donald Griffin (R)
• Bruce E. Larson (R)

County Board District 6:

• Jeffrey M. Billeter (R)
• Steven P. Huber (R)

County Board District 8:

• Marcia Heuer (R)
• Lyle Hopkins (R)

Precinct committeeperson:

• Karl Hansen (R): Flagg 2
• Kaleb Kennay (R): Flagg 4
• Patricia K. Goodwin (R): Flagg 5
• Mike Koolidge (R): Flagg 6
• George R. Wilhelmsen (R): Flagg 8
• Bruce E. Larson (R): Marion 2
• Martin Typer (R): Marion 3
• James Gallant (R): Maryland
• Summer Theisen (R): Mt. Morris 4
• Norman A. Beeh (R): Oregon-Nashua 4
• John A. Dickson (R): Oregon-Nashua 5
• Brian VanVickle (R): Pine Rock
• Hunter Simmons (R): Scott
• Joseph M. Wolf (R): White Rock

Important dates

Nov. 10: Last day to file objections challenging whether candidates can appear on the ballot.

Nov. 17 to 24: Filing period for candidates seeking to fill judicial vacancies.

Dec. 3: Deadline to file objections in judicial vacancy races.

Dec. 15: Deadline to file petitions for referenda to appear on the March ballot. This does not include referendum questions authorized by local governments, just ones submitted through voter-signed petitions.

Dec. 17: First day to apply for a mail-in ballot.

Dec. 22: Deadline to file objections on referendum questions.

Dec. 29: Deadline for local government boards – such as school boards and city councils – to adopt a resolution or ordinance for a binding referendum.

Jan. 8: Last day for a candidate to withdraw from the race.

Jan. 15: Last day for a candidate to file as a write-in.

Feb. 5: Early voting starts, and county clerks begin mailing ballots.

March 1: Last day to register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Grace period registration and voting continues through election day.

March 17: Election day for the 2026 primary. Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can request a partisan ballot with either Democratic or Republican candidates listed or a nonpartisan ballot, which includes any referenda.