Buffalo Grove Election Guide: Where To Vote, Who's On Your Ballot

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Buffalo Grove voters head to the polls Tuesday to choose candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress and state and county offices, with school and library funding questions also appearing on some ballots.

Because Buffalo Grove spans Lake and Cook counties, voting locations and ballot choices depend on where residents live. School and library district boundaries also determine which referendums appear on individual ballots.

Monday, Nov. 2, is the final day of early voting. Election Day polls will be open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Here’s what Buffalo Grove voters should know.

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Where Do I Vote Tuesday?

Lake County: Registered voters can cast their ballot at any Election Day voting site in Lake County. Use the Lake County Clerk’s election information to find voting locations and a personalized sample ballot.

Cook County: Residents can vote at their assigned precinct polling place or a designated Election Day vote center. Use the Cook County Clerk’s voter information tool to confirm where to vote and review a sample ballot.

Voters must use voting locations serving the county where they are registered. Anyone in line when polls close at 7 p.m. can still vote.

Can I Still Vote Early?

Yes. Early voting ends Monday, Nov. 2, but some locations have already completed their schedules.

Lake County: Early voting at William E. Peterson Park, Ela Township Office and Deerspring Pool ended Oct. 31.

Locations still offering early voting Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. include:

• The Landing on Diamond Lake: 1016 N. Diamond Lake Road, Mundelein.
• Highwood Library & Community Center: 102 Highwood Ave., Highwood.
• Lake Barrington Village Hall: 23860 N. Old Barrington Road, Lake Barrington.
• Lake County Main Courthouse lobby: 18 N. County St., Waukegan.

Lake County voters can use any open Lake County early-voting site. Consult the complete schedule before leaving home.

Cook County: Suburban Cook County residents can use any suburban Cook County early-voting location.

Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, offers early voting Monday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check the Cook County Clerk’s early-voting website for other locations and hours.

Can I Still Register?

Regular and online registration deadlines have passed, but eligible residents can still register and vote through grace-period registration.

Residents must provide two forms of identification showing their name, including at least one with their current address, and vote when they register.

Lake County offers registration at open early-voting sites Monday and at any Lake County voting site Tuesday. Cook County residents should consult the clerk’s registration information for the appropriate location.

What If I Have A Mail Ballot?

The deadline to request a mail ballot has passed.

Completed mail ballots must be postmarked by Tuesday, Nov. 3, and received by election officials within 14 days after Election Day. Voters can also return ballots through their county's designated drop boxes, following posted hours and deadlines.

Check return instructions and ballot-tracking information through your county clerk:

• Lake County election and mail-ballot information.
• Cook County vote-by-mail information.

What Statewide Races Are On The Ballot?

Buffalo Grove voters in both counties will see these statewide contests:

• U.S. Senate: Democrat Juliana Stratton, Republican Don Tracy and American Center Party candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr.
• Governor and lieutenant governor: Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and running mate Christian Mitchell; Republican Darren Bailey and running mate Aaron B. Del Mar; independent Collin Corbett and running mate Carolyn Schofield.
• Attorney general: Democratic incumbent Kwame Raoul and Republican Robert W. Fioretti.
• Secretary of state: Democratic incumbent Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Diane M. Harris.
• Comptroller: Democrat Margaret Croke and Republican Bryan Drew.
• Treasurer: Democratic incumbent Michael W. Frerichs and Republican Max Solomon.

Declared write-in candidates are also listed in several contests. County clerks provide complete candidate information.

Congressional, legislative and county board districts divide portions of Buffalo Grove. Residents vote only in the districts covering their address.

U.S. House Of Representatives

5th Congressional District

• Mike Quigley, Democrat, incumbent.
• Tommy Hanson, Republican.

9th Congressional District

• Daniel Biss, Democrat.
• John Elleson, Republican.

10th Congressional District

• Brad Schneider, Democrat, incumbent.
• Carl Lambrecht, Republican.

Residents should confirm their congressional district on their personalized sample ballot.

Illinois Senate

27th Senate District

• Carina Santa Maria, Democrat.
• David Mathis, Republican.

29th Senate District

• Julie A. Morrison, Democrat, incumbent.
• Kate McGrath, Republican.

30th Senate District

• Adriane L. Johnson, Democrat, incumbent, running unopposed.

Illinois House Of Representatives

54th House District

• Mary Beth Canty, Democrat, incumbent.
• Joseph M. Tracy, Republican.

57th House District

• Tracy Katz Muhl, Democrat, incumbent.
• Daniel T. Behr, Republican.

59th House District

• Daniel Didech, Democrat, incumbent, running unopposed.

Lake County Races

For Buffalo Grove residents registered in Lake County, countywide contests include:

• Clerk: Democratic incumbent Anthony Vega, running unopposed.
• Sheriff: Democratic incumbent John D. Idleburg and Republican Roman Buchberger.
• Treasurer: Democrat Sandy Hart and Republican David Penaherrera.
• Regional superintendent of schools: Democratic incumbent Michael L. Karner, running unopposed.

County board contests affecting portions of Buffalo Grove include:

• District 3: Democrat Wendy S. Meister, running unopposed.
• District 19: Democratic incumbent Marah Altenberg and Republican Nicole Ziomek.

District 18, which also includes portions of Buffalo Grove, is not on this year's ballot. Check your sample ballot to confirm your district.

Cook County Races

For Buffalo Grove residents registered in Cook County, countywide contests include:

• County Board president: Democratic incumbent Toni Preckwinkle and Libertarian Michael Murphy.
• Assessor: Democrat Pat Hynes and Libertarian Nico Tsatsoulis.
• Clerk: Democratic incumbent Monica Gordon, running unopposed.
• Sheriff: Democratic incumbent Thomas J. Dart and Libertarian Brad Sandefur.
• Treasurer: Democratic incumbent Maria Pappas, running unopposed.

Democratic incumbent Scott R. Britton is running unopposed in the 14th County Board District. County commissioner and Board of Review contests depend on a voter’s address.

Cook County voters also select Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioners. Voters can choose up to three candidates for six-year terms:

• Precious Brady-Davis, Democrat.
• Eira Lizeth Corral Sepúlveda, Democrat.
• Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Democrat.
• Michelle Pennington, Republican.
• Timothy E. Rueckert, Republican.
• Jill B. Shestokas, Republican.

Democrat Cameron "Cam" Davis is running unopposed for a separate two-year unexpired term.

Lake County School Sales Tax Referendum

Buffalo Grove voters registered in Lake County will consider a countywide question asking whether to approve a 1 percent sales tax for school facilities, school resource officers and mental health professionals.

A yes vote would authorize the tax. A no vote would reject it.

This question will not appear on the ballots of Buffalo Grove residents registered in Cook County.

RELATED: Lake County Voters To Decide On 1% School Sales Tax

Vernon Area Public Library Bond Referendum

Residents within the Vernon Area Public Library District will consider a proposal to issue $39.5 million in bonds to renovate and expand the library.

The proposed work includes connecting the main building and Annex, relocating the entrance, adding study rooms and program space, creating a community makerspace and improving building systems.

The library estimates the overall project would cost $53 million, with $13.5 million covered through existing savings and other non-referendum funding.

The question applies only to voters within the library district. Project information and a tax impact calculator are available on the library’s building plan website.

District 214 School Bond Referendum

Buffalo Grove residents within Township High School District 214 will decide whether to authorize $295 million in school building bonds.

The district says the proposal would fund safety and security, infrastructure, mechanical systems and instructional-space improvements across seven campuses, including Buffalo Grove High School.

The question applies to District 214 voters, rather than everyone with a Buffalo Grove address. Residents in Stevenson High School District 125 do not vote on the District 214 proposal.

Project details and estimated tax impacts are available through the district's Renew 214 website.

Cook County Millionaire Tax Advisory Question

Buffalo Grove voters registered in Cook County will consider a nonbinding question asking whether Illinois should establish an additional 3 percent income tax on income exceeding $1 million.

The proposal calls for half of the additional revenue to support property tax relief and half to support public education.

The referendum is advisory. Approval would not enact the tax.

Judicial Elections And Retention Questions

Lake County voters will cast separate yes-or-no votes on whether to retain 19th Judicial Circuit Judges James K. Booras and Marnie M. Slavin.

Cook County voters will have a different judicial ballot, including retention questions and judicial vacancy contests applicable to their address.

Before voting, review your complete sample ballot through the appropriate county clerk:

• Lake County sample ballot and election information.
• Cook County personalized voter information.