Whiteside 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 Whiteside County:

Sheriff:

• John F. Booker (D)

County Board District 1:

• James C. Duffy (D)
• Fidencio Hooper-Campos (D)
• Vincent Joseph Vaughn (D)
• Ernie Smith (D)
• Alex Regalado (D)

County Board District 2:

• Shawn Dowd (D)
• Glenn C. Truesdell (D)
• Amie Topp (D)
• Paul J. Cunniff (D)

County Board District 3:

• Jan Pels (D)
• Paula M Schares (D)
• Mark S Woods (D)

Precinct Committeeperson:

• Paula M Schares (D): Union Grove
• James C. Duffy (D): Sterling 12
• Fidencio Hooper-Campos (D): Sterling 17
• Katherine A Nelson (D): Coloma 6
• Glenn C. Truesdell (D): Coloma 10
• Sean Sanders (D): Hume
• Thomas Ausman (D): Sterling 1
• Robbie Niesen (D): Sterling 15
• Steven Dowd (D): Coloma 5
• Owen Harrell (D): Sterling 7
• Oliver Sweetser (D): Lyndon
• Catherine Clarke (D): Sterling 1

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

County Clerk:

• Karen J. Stralow (R)

County Treasurer:

• Penny VanKampen (R)

County Board District 1:

• Kurt Glazier (R)
• Thomas P Witmer (R)

County Board District 2:

• Douglas Wetzell (R)
• Linda Pennell (R)

County Board District 3:

• Edward Weeks Jr. (R)
• Marci Bohnert (R)

Precinct Committeeperson:

• James A. Starr (R): Montmorency 2
• Edward Weeks Jr. (R): Mt. Pleasant 2
• Kristol Anderson (R): Coloma 8
• Kurt Glazier (R): Sterling 17
• Gary L. Pearson (R): Tampico
• Linda Pennell (R): Coloma 5
• Thomas Alex Williams (R): Clyde
• Marci Bohnert (R): Newton
• Douglas Crandall (R): Prophetstown 3

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.