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

OSWEGO, IL — Oswego 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 a referendum question posed by Oswego Community Unit School District 308.

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

Congressional, state legislative and Kendall 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 Kendall County Clerk's Office, 502 S. Main St. in Yorkville.

On Oct. 19, early voting expands to another location in the county: Oswego Village Hall, 100 Parkers Mill.

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 Kendall 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 Oswego 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

• 14th Congressional District: Incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood faces Republican James Marter.

Illinois House Races

• 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.

Kendall County Races

Several countywide offices are on the ballot this November.

• Clerk and recorder: Republican incumbent Debbie Gillette will face Democrat challenger Zach Bachmann.
• Sheriff: Democrat Jose Arnold Villagrana will face Republican Bobby Richardson. Incumbent Dwight Baird is not seeking reelection.
• Treasurer: Republican incumbent Jill Ferko will face Kendall County Party challenger Bob Allen.

Kendall County Board

Local residents may also vote in several contested Kendall County Board races. Voters will choose two candidates in each district.

• District 1: Republican incumbents Jason Peterson and Ruben Rodriguez and Democrat challengers Christina M. Johns and Bradley Chamberlin.
• District 2: Republican incumbent Matthew J. Kellogg, Democrat incumbents Elizabeth Flowers and Brooke Shanley, Republican challengers Joe West and Christopher "Chris" Cetnar, and Democrat challenger Nancy Schwartz.

Referenda

Oswego residents will also vote on a referendum posed by District 308. It will ask: Should the district issue $317 million in school building bonds?

With the funding, District 308 intends to upgrade its buildings, 22 of which were found to be in fair or poor condition. The referendum is structured to lower the district's homeowner tax rate. Since the district is retiring existing long-term debt, homeowners within the district would see a decrease in their property taxes, even if the referendum is approved, Patch reported.

RELATED: D308 Referendum Seeks $317M For District-Wide Building Upgrades

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