The City of Des Plaines offers helpful links to potential candidates, making it easy to access important information. People with specific filing questions should confer with a legal representative.

Are You Ready to Get Started?

Please review the following information to help candidates with the filing process:

• 2025 Candidates Information and Guide
• State of Illinois 2025 Local Election Officials Handbook

2025 election dates have been moved up, with petition circulation now starting in August 2024. For more detailed information, please visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website at elections.il.gov. Potential candidates should be aware that the State Board of Elections may revise the Candidate’s Guide after its release. Please check the website for possible revisions.

Important Dates for the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election

Candidate Filing Dates & Deadlines

• Tuesday, August 20: First day to circulate petitions for independent, new political parties and nonpartisan offices.
• Tuesday, November 12 - Monday, November 18: Petition filing period for nomination petitions of new political parties, nonpartisan and independent candidates.
• Monday, November 25: Last day to file objections to nomination petitions of new political party, nonpartisan and independent candidates as well as certificates of nomination for established party caucus candidates who filed during the November 12 – 18 filing period.
  *Last day to withdraw (incompatible offices)
• Wednesday, November 27: Last day to conduct ballot placement lottery.
• Monday, December 9 – Monday, December 16: Caucus Certificate of Nomination filing. 
• Thursday, January 23: Last day to file a Withdrawal of Candidacy with the local election official or authority.
• Thursday, January 30: Last day to file a notarized declaration of intent to be a write–in candidate.

Please Note: The legal interpretations therein are not necessarily those of the Clerk or the City of Des Plaines, Illinois.

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