Aurora Election Guide 2026: Candidates, Referendums And How To Vote

AURORA, IL — Aurora voters will choose candidates for offices ranging from governor and U.S. senator to county board when they head to the polls for the Nov. 3 general election.

Voters will also decide congressional and Illinois General Assembly races and cast their ballots on two referenda questions.

Illinois 2026 Voter Guide: Pritzker Vs. Bailey Rematch, Other Hot Races To Watch

Congressional, state legislative and Kane County Board district boundaries span municipal lines, meaning two residents of the same community may receive different ballots. Those interested in seeing what exactly is on their ballot can do so here.

Here's everything you need to know to cast your vote, from voter registration to polling places to mail-in voting to what's on the ballot.

For full coverage of the 2026 election in Illinois, go here.

When is Election Day?

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Anyone who is in line by 7 p.m. has the right to vote. You can find more information on your polling place here.

Where can I participate in early voting?

Early voting began Sept. 24 — 40 days before Election Day — at the Kane County Clerk's Office, 719 S. Batavia Ave. in Geneva, and at its satellite office in Aurora, 5 E. Downer Place.

On Oct. 19, early voting expands to more locations throughout the county.

• Vaughan Athletic Center, 2121 W. Indian Trail in Aurora
• Kane County Branch Court, 530 S. Randall Road in St. Charles
• Carpentersville Fire Station No. 93, 5000 Sleepy Hollow Road
• Elgin Township, 729 S. McLean Blvd.
• Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in Elgin
• Campton Community Center, 5N082 Old LaFox Road in Campton Hills
• City of Batavia, 100 N. Island Ave.
• City of Elgin, 150 Dexter Court
• Del Webb Sun City, 12880 Del Webb Blvd. in Huntley
• Hampshire Township, 170 Mill Ave.
• Sugar Grove Library, 125 S. Municipal Drive
• Town & Country Library, 320 E. North St. in Elburn
• Village of West Dundee, 102 S. Second St.

Voters can use any county early voting location regardless of where they live in the county. Hours vary by location.

Can I still register to vote?

The regular voter registration deadline has passed, but Illinois residents still have options. Online voter registration continues through Sunday, Oct. 18, while grace-period registration is underway and continues through Election Day.

If you think that you may already be registered to vote, you can check by using the State Board of Election's Voter Registration Lookup.

Residents registering during the grace period must provide two forms of identification, with at least one showing their current address. Those who register during the grace period must also vote at the time they register.

Can I vote by mail?

Illinois voters do not need an excuse or specific reason to vote by mail, and the deadline for election officials to receive applications for vote-by-mail ballots is Thursday, Oct. 29. You can request a mail-in ballot for Kane County here.

Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within the period allowed under Illinois law.

What is on my ballot?

All Aurora voters will have several statewide contests on their ballots.

• U.S. Senate: Democrat Juliana Stratton faces Republican Don Tracy in the race for U.S. Senate.
• Illinois Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking another term, facing off against Republican Darren Bailey.
• Illinois Attorney General: Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul faces Republican Bob Fioretti.
• Illinois Secretary of State: Democratic Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias faces Republican Diane Harris.
• Illinois Comptroller: Democrat Margaret Croke faces Republican Bryan Drew.
• Illinois Treasurer: Democratic Treasurer Michael Frerichs faces Republican Max Solomon.

Congressional Races

• 11th Congressional District: Incumbent Democrat Bill Foster will face Republican Jeff Walter.
• 14th Congressional District: Incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood faces Republican James Marter.

Illinois House Races

• 49th District: Democrat incumbent Maura Hirschauer will face Republican challenger John Paul Augustynowicz.
• 50th District: Democrat incumbent Barbara Hernandez is running unopposed.
• 83rd District: Democrat incumbent Matt Hanson will face Republican challenger Jesse Rodriguez.
• 84th District: Democrat incumbent Saba Haider will face Republican challenger Brian Scopa.

Illinois Senate Races

• 42nd District: Democrat Jared Ploger will face Republican Edgardo "Eddie" Perez. Democrat incumbent Linda Holmes announced she would retire and not seek reelection.

Kane County Races

Several countywide offices are on the ballot this November.

• Clerk: Republican incumbent John A. "Jack" Cunningham will face Democrat challenger Brenda Rodgers.
• Sheriff: Democrat Amy Johnson will face Republican Rob Russell. Incumbent Ron Hain is not seeking reelection.
• Treasurer: Republican incumbent Chris Lauzen will face Democrat challenger Penny Wegman.
• Regional Superintendent of Schools: Republican incumbent John K. Jonak will face Democrat challenger Jerry Cook.

Kane County Board

Aurora residents may also vote in several contested Kane County Board races. Candidates include:

• District 2 (Two-year unexpired term): Democrat Ellen Nottke and Independent Kelly Burke.
• District 3: Democrat incumbent Anita Marie Lewis and Independent Guy David Bodie.
• District 5: Republican incumbent Bill Lenert and Democrat Philip Silagi.

Referenda

Local residents will be asked two referenda questions, posed by the City of Aurora: Should Aurora voters have the ability to recall the mayor by petition? Should Aurora voters have the ability to recall aldermen-at-large?

Depending on voters' addresses, they may also be able to vote on the referendum posed by the Oswego Community Unit School District 308: Should the district issue $317 million in school building bonds?

For full coverage of the 2026 election in Illinois, go here.