McHenry County Election 2026: Where To Vote, Candidates, Referendums

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.

• District 300 $355.5M School Bond Referendum Set For November Ballot

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.

When Is Election Day?

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 Last Day For Early Voting

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:

• McHenry County Election Center: 410 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock.
• Algonquin Township Garage: 3702 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.
• Crystal Lake Public Library: 126 Paddock St., Crystal Lake.
• Nunda Township Office: 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake.
• Lake in the Hills Village Hall: 600 Harvest Gate, Lake in the Hills.
• McHenry City Hall: 333 S. Green St., McHenry.
• McHenry Township Office: 3703 N. Richmond Road, Johnsburg.

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.

Can I Still Register To Vote?

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.

What If I Still Have A Mail-In Ballot?

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.

What Is On My Ballot?

McHenry County voters will decide several statewide races, while congressional, legislative, county board and some referendum contests will vary by address.

Statewide Races

The following major-party candidates are seeking statewide offices:

• U.S. Senate: Democrat Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy.
• Governor and Lieutenant Governor: Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey.
• Attorney General: Democratic incumbent Kwame Raoul and Republican Bob Fioretti.
• Secretary of State: Democratic incumbent Alexi Giannoulias and Republican Diane Harris.
• Comptroller: Democrat Margaret Croke and Republican Bryan Drew.
• Treasurer: Democratic incumbent Michael Frerichs and Republican Max Solomon.

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.

Congressional Races

McHenry County includes portions of four congressional districts. The following candidates are running:

• 9th Congressional District: Democrat Daniel Biss, the mayor of Evanston, and Republican John Elleson.
• 10th Congressional District: Democratic incumbent Brad Schneider and Republican Carl Lambrecht.
• 11th Congressional District: Democratic incumbent Bill Foster and Republican Jeff Walter.
• 16th Congressional District: Republican incumbent Darin LaHood and Democrat Paul Nolley.

Only one congressional race will appear on a voter's ballot, depending on their home address.

Illinois Senate Races

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:

• 26th Senate District: Democrat Nabeela Syed and Republican Darby Hills.
• 32nd Senate District: Democrat Karen Battaglia and Republican incumbent Craig Wilcox.
• 33rd Senate District: Democrat Michele Clark and Republican Danielle Penman.
• 35th Senate District: Democrat Sarah B. Mertens and Republican incumbent Dave Syverson.

Illinois House Races

Several Illinois House districts also cover portions of McHenry County.

• 52nd House District: Democrat Maria Peterson and Republican incumbent Martin McLaughlin.
• 64th House District: Democrat AJ Johnson and Republican incumbent Tom Weber.
• 66th House District: Democratic incumbent Suzanne Ness and Republican Laurie Parman.
• 69th House District: Democrat Peter Janko and Republican incumbent Joe Sosnowski.
• 70th House District: Democrat Veronica Garcia-Martinez and Republican incumbent Jeff Keicher.

Voters can determine their specific state legislative district using the county's sample ballot locator.

McHenry County Races

Several countywide positions are also on the ballot.

• County Clerk: Democratic challenger Bill McNeese and Republican incumbent Joe Tirio.
• County Treasurer: Democratic challenger Amin Karim and Republican incumbent Donna Kurtz.
• County Sheriff: Republican incumbent Robb Tadelman is running unopposed.
• Regional Superintendent of Schools: Democrat Bridget Belcastro and Republican incumbent Diana Hartmann.

McHenry County Board

Five McHenry County Board districts have contested races highlighted in this election guide.

• District 1: Democrat Deanna "Dee" Darling and Republican Matthew Kunkle.
• District 2: Democrat Gloria Van Hof and Republican Dan Hickey.
• District 3: Democrat Carolyn "Lyn" Campbell and Republican Robert "Bob" Reining.
• District 4: Democrat Edward "Bud" Bowie Jr. and Republican Joseph Gottemoller.
• District 5: Democrat Austin May and Republican Terri Greeno.

McHenry County Advisory Referendums

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.

District 300's $355.5 Million School Bond Referendum

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.

More Election Coverage From Patch

Patch has been covering the candidates, races and ballot questions voters will decide in Tuesday's election.

Statewide Elections

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

• District 300 $355.5M School Bond Referendum Set For November Ballot
• Voter Registration Climbs In McHenry County Ahead Of November

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.