Algonquin, Lake In The Hills Election Guide 2026: Candidates, Referenda And How To Vote

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — McHenry County 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 Algonquin and Lake in the Hills will also decide congressional and Illinois General Assembly races, while some will weigh in on local referendum questions. 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 McHenry County Board district boundaries cut across 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 a look at the races of interest for voters in the Crystal Lake, Cary, Algonquin and Lake in the Hills area, along with important dates and information on how to cast a 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. is entitled to vote. You can find more information on your polling place here.

Early Voting Expands Oct. 19

Early voting is already underway at the McHenry County Election Center, 410 S. Eastwood Drive in Woodstock.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 19, early voting expands to locations throughout McHenry County. Locations convenient for Crystal Lake, Cary, Algonquin and Lake in the Hills residents include:

• Algonquin Area Public Library, 2600 Harnish Drive, Algonquin
• Cary Park District, 255 Briargate Road, Cary
• Algonquin Township Office, 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
• Huntley Park District, 12015 Mill St., Huntley

McHenry County voters can use any county early voting location regardless of where they live in the county. Hours vary by location, so voters should check the McHenry County Clerk's website before heading out.

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. And grace-period registration is also 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. McHenry County also provides ballot drop boxes for voters who prefer to return their ballots without using the mail.

What Is On My Ballot?

All McHenry 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

McHenry County includes portions of four congressional districts: the 9th, 10th, 11th and 16th. Which congressional race appears on a voter's ballot depends on their home address and residents should check their sample ballot through the McHenry County Clerk's Office website to determine their congressional district and see the candidates appearing on their ballot.

• 9th Congressional District: Current Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, a Democrat, faces Republican John Elleson, a pastor.
• 10th Congressional District: Incumbent Democrat Brad Schneider faces Republican Carl Lambrecht
• 11th Congressional District: Incumbent Democrat Bill Foster will face Republican Jeff Walter.
• 16th Congressional District: Incumbent Republican Darin LaHood faces Democrat Paul Nolley.

Illinois Senate Races

Several Illinois Senate districts extend into McHenry County. Here is a look at those races.

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

Not all four races will appear on every ballot. A voter's home address determines their Illinois Senate district —check your sample ballot for more information.

Illinois House Races

Several Illinois House districts also include portions of McHenry County.

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

McHenry County Races

Several countywide offices are on the ballot this November.

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

McHenry County Board

Local residents may also vote in one of several contested McHenry County Board races.

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

The County Board district appearing on a voter's ballot depends on their address and can be found on their sample ballot.

McHenry County Referendum Questions

McHenry County voters will also be asked to weigh in on advisory questions this fall. One question asks voters whether they support McHenry County becoming a home-rule county and establishing a county executive form of government.

Because the question is advisory, the vote itself would not automatically make McHenry County a home-rule government or change its form of government.

Another advisory question asks whether Illinois lawmakers should repeal state laws that restrict local zoning authority over commercial solar, wind and battery-storage facilities and residential development.

The referendum itself would not repeal those laws. Instead, the results will indicate whether county voters support asking state lawmakers to make those changes.

District 300 Bond Referendum

Some Algonquin and Lake in the Hills voters who live within Community Unit School District 300 will have another major question on their ballots.

District 300 is asking voters for authority to issue $355.5 million in bonds for school construction and improvements.

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

The proposal includes school additions and renovations, additional classroom space, safety and security improvements, land and site work and construction of a Career and Technical Education Center.

Only voters who live within District 300 will see the question.

For more information on the upcoming elections, visit the McHenry County Clerk's Office.

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