2026 Election Calendar: Important Dates

2026 promises to be a significant election year for Jackson County. Many of the key offices are open for the voters to exercise their voice and decide who will function in these critical seats: Jackson County Sheriff, Jackson County Judge Executive, Magistrates, Mayor – City of McKee, Mayor, City of McKee, McKee City Council, Constables, State Representative District 89, State Senator District 25, US Congressman District 5, & US Senator.
Here are some key dates that will orchestrate the election.
• Friday, January 09, 2026 - Candidate filing deadline: last day to file nomination papers for candidates who must run in primary to file a statement of candidacy form with the same office at which nomination papers are filed (first Friday following the first Monday in January).
• Thursday, January 15, 2026 - Public drawing for ballot positions in offices of Secretary of State and County Clerks (the Thursday following the filing deadline for the primary).
• Monday, January 26, 2026 - Secretary of State to certify candidates’ names to County Clerks (the third Monday after the filing deadline for the primary).
• Friday, April 03, 2026 - Last day for county clerks to transmit absentee ballots to voters who request absentee ballots prior to the printing of the ballots (within 4 days of the receipt of the printed ballots).
*Except for absentee ballot requests by military and overseas voters that are received at least 45 days before the election, absentee ballots that are requested after the receipt of the ballots by the county clerks shall be transmitted to the voter within 4 days of the receipt of the application.
• Saturday, April 04, 2026 – Online mail-in absentee request portal to open (45 days before the election).
• Monday, April 20, 2026 - Last day to register to vote for the primary.
        o Online Registrations must be received by 4:00 PM Local Time;
        o Mailed Registrations can be Postmarked 4/20 and be counted.
        o Registrations returned to the Clerk’s Office accepted by close of business.
• Tuesday, May 05, 2026 - Online mail-in absentee request portal to close (14 days before the election).
• Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday (May 06, 07, & 08) and Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday (May 11, 12, & 13) Excused, In-Person Absentee Voting: any qualified voters may make application to cast an absentee ballot during normal business hours during the six (6) business days immediately preceding the Thursday of no-excuse in-person absentee voting period. MUST HAVE ONE OF THE DESIGNATED REASONS TO CAST A BALLOT DURING THIS PERIOD
• Thursday, May 14 & Saturday, May 16 - In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting to be conducted in the county clerk's office or other place designated by the county board of elections and approved by the State Board of Elections.
• Tuesday, May 19, 2026 –
      • Primary Election Day (first Tuesday after third Monday in May)
                 • Polls open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., prevailing time.
                 • County boards of elections to be in session all day.
                 • County boards of elections to meet at county clerk’s office at 8 a.m. to count absentee ballots, but the absentee ballot results                                     shall not be made public until after 6 p.m., prevailing time.
                 • Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the Clerk before 6 p.m. prevailing time.