SPRINGFIELD ( 25News Now ) - Illinois state and federal electoral candidates lined up outside the State Board of Elections office in Springfield on Monday to submit their claim to the 2026 election ballot.

Oct. 27 was the first day for Illinois candidates to file paperwork for the March 2026 Illinois primary election.

Headliners included Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker , the incumbent, and his running mate, former Illinois deputy Gov. Christian Mitchell. The governor said he will continue to stand up for the people of Illinois.

“I’m going to keep standing up for what the people of Illinois need, which is education, health care and good jobs,” Pritzker said.

On the other side of the aisle, Aaron Del Mar, running mate of Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey , made an appearan

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