Deadline to register to vote in Illinois is Tuesday

Election officials say there's still time to register to vote for the March 18 primary.

The deadline is Tuesday.

It's the first time that 17-year-old Illinoisans will be able to vote. They must be 18 by the Nov. 4 General Election to qualify. Cook County Clerk David Orr says nearly 1,000 17-year-olds have registered to vote in Cook County alone.

Orr says that registering to vote is a first step toward civic participation.

Voters will have a chance to vote for their party's nomination for governor, among other statewide elected offices.

Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn is seeking re-election. He faces a primary challenge from activist Tio Hardiman. Four Republicans are running. They are Treasurer Dan Rutherford, businessman Bruce Rauner and state Sens. Kirk Dillard and Bill Brady.