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

This is what Plainfield voters need to know about candidates, ballot questions, early voting and more ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

(Renee Schiavone/Patch)

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield 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 in Plainfield will also decide congressional and Illinois General Assembly races. Exactly which races appear on a voter's ballot depends on where they live.

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Congressional, state legislative and Will County Board district boundaries span municipal lines, meaning two Plainfield residents 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 your polling pace online:

Where can I participate in early voting?

Early voting began Sept. 24 — 40 days before Election Day — at the Will County Clerk's Office, 302 N. Chicago St., in downtown Joliet.

On Oct. 19, early voting expands to 24 satellite locations throughout the county. In Plainfield, early voting will be available at:

Plainfield 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 find the applications for all counties in Illinois here.

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

What is on my ballot?

All Will County voters will have several statewide contests on their ballots.

Congressional Races

Illinois House

The 97th District covers part of Plainfield. A hotly watched race, Republican Gabby Shanahan will challenge Democrat Jessica Dixon Heitman, who was appointed to the seat this summer after the disgraced Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) resigned and withdrew his candidacy from the election.

Benton, who was first elected in 2022, stepped down after an investigation determined he committed two separate acts of sexual harassment.

Will County Races

Several countywide offices are on the ballot this November.

Will County Board

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

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

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