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

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.

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

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:

• Will County
• Kendall County

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 Village Hall, 24401 W. Lockport St.
• Prairie Activity and Recreation Center, 24550 W. Renwick Road

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.

• 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

• 11th Congressional District: Incumbent Democrat Bill Foster will face Republican Jeff Walter.
• 14th Congressional District: Incumbent Democrat Lauren Underwood faces Republican James Marter.

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.

• Clerk: Republican incumbent Annette Parker will face Democrat challenger Michelle Stiff.
• Sheriff: Democrat Patrick Jones will face Republican James "Jim" Reilly. Incumbent Mike Kelley is not seeking reelection.
• Treasurer: Democrat incumbent Tim Brophy will face Republican challenger Carmen Maurella III.
• Regional superintendent of schools: Republican incumbent Elizabeth Caparelli-Ruff will face Democrat challenger Theresa Rouse.

Will County Board

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

• District 1: Democrat incumbent Joe Van Duyne, Republican incumbent Katie Deane-Schlottman and Republican challenger Debbie Militello.
• District 2: Republican incumbents Judy Ogalla and Frankie Pretzel and Democrat challenger Bob Howard.
• District 3: Democrat incumbent Sherry Newquist, Republican incumbent Daniel Butler and Democrat challenger Marc McKirdie.
• District 4: Republican incumbents Sheri Boniecki-Cooling and William Pratt and Democrat challengers Stephen Balich and James Richmond.
• District 5: Democrat incumbent Sherry Williams, Republican incumbent Dave Oxley, Democrat challenger Karen Johnson, and Republican challenger James "JJ" Balonek.
• District 8: Democrat incumbent Mica Freeman, Republican incumbent Mark V. Revis and Democrat challenger Michael Crowner.
• District 9: Democrat incumbent Destinee Ortiz, Republican incumbent Raquel M. Mitchell and Democrat challenger Alex Zapien.
• District 11: Democrat incumbent Jacqueline Traynere, Democrat challenger Sheldon Watts and Republican challenger Steven Smith.

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