MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Election Day is Tuesday and McHenry County voters will head to the polls to decide races for governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, the Illinois General Assembly and county offices, along with several referendum questions.
Voters who want to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day have one final opportunity Monday when early voting wraps up at several locations throughout McHenry County.
Among the major contests are Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker's bid for a third term against Republican Darren Bailey, the race for Illinois' open U.S. Senate seat between Democrat Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy and several competitive legislative contests affecting the northwest suburbs.
Locally, voters will also decide McHenry County Board races, elect county officials and weigh in on advisory questions concerning the county's form of government and local zoning authority. Some Algonquin and Lake in the Hills residents will also vote on Community Unit School District 300's proposed $355.5 million school construction referendum.
Exactly which candidates and questions appear on an individual's ballot depends on their address. Voters can review their ballot before heading to the polls using the McHenry County Clerk's sample ballot locator.
Here's what voters in Crystal Lake, Cary, Algonquin and Lake in the Hills need to know before Tuesday's election.
The general election is Tuesday. Polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. are entitled to cast a ballot, even if voting continues past the official closing time.
McHenry County residents voting in person Tuesday must use their assigned precinct polling place or the McHenry County Election Center, 410 S. Eastwood Drive in Woodstock, which serves voters from throughout the county.
Residents can find voting information and polling locations through the McHenry County Clerk's Office.
Monday is the final day to vote early in Illinois.
Several McHenry County early voting locations will remain open Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the county's published election schedule.
Locations include:
Other early voting locations, including the Algonquin Area Public Library, Cary Park District and Huntley Park District, concluded voting Saturday. McHenry County residents may vote at any operating county early voting site, regardless of their home precinct.
Although the regular and online voter registration deadlines have passed, eligible Illinois residents can still register through grace-period registration, which continues through Election Day.
Residents registering during the grace period must provide two forms of identification, at least one showing their current address. They must also cast their ballot when registering. Grace-period registration is available at designated locations, but voters should check with the county clerk to confirm where registration services are offered on Election Day.
Residents who believe they are already registered can check their status through the Illinois State Board of Elections voter registration lookup.
The Oct. 29 deadline for requesting a vote-by-mail ballot for delivery has passed, but voters who already received one still have time to return it.
Completed ballots must be postmarked no later than Election Day and received by election officials by Nov. 17.
With Election Day approaching, voters relying on the mail should be mindful that ballots deposited in mailboxes on Tuesday may not receive a same-day postmark. Voters can request a manual postmark at a U.S. Postal Service counter.
McHenry County also offers a 24-hour ballot drop box at the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road in Woodstock, where ballots may be returned until 7 p.m. Election Day. Additional drop boxes are available at some early voting locations during voting hours.
Voters who received a mail ballot but prefer to vote in person may surrender their mail ballot to an election judge and cast their ballot at a voting location.
McHenry County voters will decide several statewide races, while congressional, legislative, county board and some referendum contests will vary by address.
The following major-party candidates are seeking statewide offices:
Pritzker is seeking a third term as governor in a rematch with Bailey, whom he defeated in 2022. Raoul, also seeking a third term, is being challenged by Fioretti, a former Chicago alderman and 2024 Republican candidate for Cook County state's attorney.
McHenry County includes portions of four congressional districts. The following candidates are running:
Only one congressional race will appear on a voter's ballot, depending on their home address.
Several Illinois Senate districts extend into McHenry County, including districts represented by longtime incumbents and districts where candidates are competing for open seats.
The races include:
Several Illinois House districts also cover portions of McHenry County.
Voters can determine their specific state legislative district using the county's sample ballot locator.
Several countywide positions are also on the ballot.
Five McHenry County Board districts have contested races highlighted in this election guide.
McHenry County voters will also weigh in on advisory referendum questions involving county government and state restrictions on local zoning authority.
One question asks whether voters support making McHenry County a home-rule county and establishing a county executive form of government. A separate advisory question asks whether Illinois lawmakers should repeal laws restricting local zoning authority over commercial solar, wind and battery-storage facilities and residential development.
Both questions are advisory. Their results would express voters' preferences but would not automatically change the county's form of government or repeal state laws.
Some Algonquin and Lake in the Hills voters will decide whether Community Unit School District 300 should be authorized to issue $355.5 million in bonds for school construction and improvements.
The proposed borrowing would help finance more than 20 projects throughout the district, including building additions, renovations, additional classrooms, secured entrances and other safety improvements. The proposal also calls for a new Career and Technical Education Center intended to provide hands-on career training.
If voters approve the referendum, the bond proceeds would be combined with approximately $87 million in existing district funds.
District officials have estimated the proposal would cost the owner of a home valued at $400,000 approximately $8.41 more per month, or about $101 annually.
Only residents who live within District 300 boundaries will see the question on their ballots.
Patch has been covering the candidates, races and ballot questions voters will decide in Tuesday's election.
Statewide Elections
For additional candidate profiles, referendum coverage and election results, visit Patch's Illinois Election 2026 coverage page. Voters seeking more information about polling places, registration or mail-in ballots can visit the McHenry County Clerk's election website.
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