Buffalo Grove Election Guide 2026: Candidates, Early Voting Locations, Key Dates

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — From the governor's race to school and library funding questions, Buffalo Grove voters will have plenty to consider in the Nov. 3 general election.

The ballot also includes races for U.S. Senate, Congress, the Illinois General Assembly and county offices, along with judicial contests and retention questions.

Because Buffalo Grove spans Lake and Cook counties, voting locations and some ballot choices depend on where residents live. School and library district boundaries also determine which referendums appear on individual ballots.

Limited early voting is underway in both counties, with additional locations scheduled to open Oct. 19.

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

Here's what Buffalo Grove voters should know before heading to the polls.

When Is Election Day?

The 2026 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lake County residents can cast their ballot at any Election Day voting site in Lake County.

Cook County residents should vote at their assigned precinct polling place or one of the county’s designated Election Day vote centers.

Residents can confirm their voting location through their county clerk:

• Lake County voter information
• Suburban Cook County voter information

The counties have different Election Day voting rules, so residents should check the information for the county where they are registered.

Can I Still Register To Vote?

The regular in-person voter registration deadline has passed, but Illinois residents still have options. Online voter registration continues through Sunday, Oct. 18.

Grace-period registration is also underway and continues through Election Day. Residents registering during the grace period must provide two forms of identification showing their name, with at least one showing their current address. They must also vote at the time they register.

Residents can check whether they are already registered through the Illinois State Board of Elections' Voter Registration Lookup.

County clerks provide information about grace-period registration locations and hours.

When Does Early Voting Begin?

Lake County: Early voting began Sept. 24 at the Lake County Main Courthouse, 18 N. County St. in Waukegan. Through Oct. 16, residents can vote there Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Additional Lake County locations will open Monday, Oct. 19. Nearby options include:

• William E. Peterson Park — 16652 N. Buffalo Grove Road, Prairie View
• Ela Township Office — 1155 E. Illinois Route 22, Lake Zurich
• The Landing on Diamond Lake — 1016 N. Diamond Lake Road, Mundelein
• Deerspring Pool — 200 Deerfield Road, Deerfield

Peterson Park and Ela Township are scheduled to offer voting Oct. 19-31, with weekday hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will be closed Sundays. Some other Lake County locations offer extended hours and remain open through Nov. 2.

A complete list of sites and schedules is available on the Lake County Clerk’s early-voting website.

Cook County: Limited early voting began Oct. 7 at six vote centers. Expanded early voting will begin Oct. 19 at suburban locations and continue through Nov. 2.

Suburban Cook County residents can use any suburban Cook County early-voting site. Locations and schedules are available through the Cook County Clerk.

Residents should confirm individual site schedules before visiting. Lake County voters must use Lake County sites, while Cook County voters must use sites serving suburban Cook County.

Can I Vote By Mail?

Illinois voters do not need an excuse or specific reason to vote by mail. The deadline for election officials to receive applications for vote-by-mail ballots is Thursday, Oct. 29.

Residents should request a ballot from the election authority for the county where they are registered:

• Lake County vote-by-mail information
• Cook County vote-by-mail information

Completed ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and received within the period allowed under Illinois law. Residents can also use their county’s designated ballot drop boxes, following the posted deadlines and instructions.

What Is On My Ballot?

Buffalo Grove voters in both counties will have statewide contests on their ballots.

• U.S. Senate: Democrat Juliana Stratton faces Republican Don Tracy and American Center Party candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr.
• Illinois governor and lieutenant governor: Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking another term against Republican Darren Bailey and independent Collin Corbett.
• Illinois attorney general: Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul faces Republican Robert W. Fioretti.
• Illinois secretary of state: Democratic Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias faces Republican Diane M. Harris.
• Illinois comptroller: Democrat Margaret Croke faces Republican Bryan Drew.
• Illinois treasurer: Democratic Treasurer Michael W. Frerichs faces Republican Max Solomon.

Declared write-in candidates are also listed in several contests. Residents should consult their county clerk’s candidate information for complete details.

Congressional, legislative and county board districts divide portions of Buffalo Grove. Residents will vote only in the districts covering their address.

U.S. House Of Representatives

5th Congressional District

• Mike Quigley, Democrat (incumbent)
• Tommy Hanson, Republican

9th Congressional District

• Daniel Biss, Democrat
• John Elleson, Republican

10th Congressional District

• Brad Schneider, Democrat (incumbent)
• Carl Lambrecht, Republican

Residents should confirm their congressional district on their personalized sample ballot.

Illinois Senate

27th Senate District

• Carina Santa Maria, Democrat
• David Mathis, Republican

29th Senate District

• Julie A. Morrison, Democrat (incumbent)
• Kate McGrath, Republican

30th Senate District

• Adriane L. Johnson, Democrat (incumbent)

Johnson is running unopposed.

Illinois House Of Representatives

54th House District

• Mary Beth Canty, Democrat (incumbent)
• Joseph M. Tracy, Republican

57th House District

• Tracy Katz Muhl, Democrat (incumbent)
• Daniel T. Behr, Republican

59th House District

• Daniel Didech, Democrat (incumbent)

Didech is running unopposed. Congressional and legislative candidate information is available through the Lake County Clerk and Cook County Clerk.

Lake County Races

For Buffalo Grove residents registered in Lake County, four countywide offices are on the ballot:

• Lake County clerk: Democratic incumbent Anthony Vega is running unopposed.
• Lake County sheriff: Democratic incumbent John D. Idleburg faces Republican Roman Buchberger.
• Lake County treasurer: Democrat Sandy Hart faces Republican David Penaherrera.
• Regional superintendent of schools: Democratic incumbent Michael L. Karner is running unopposed.

District-specific county board contests affecting portions of Buffalo Grove include:

• District 3: Democrat Wendy S. Meister is running unopposed.
• District 19: Democratic incumbent Marah Altenberg faces Republican Nicole Ziomek.

District 18, which also includes portions of Buffalo Grove, is not on this year’s ballot. Residents should check their sample ballot to determine which county board district covers their address.

Cook County Races

For Buffalo Grove residents registered in Cook County, countywide contests include:

• County board president: Democratic incumbent Toni Preckwinkle faces Libertarian Michael Murphy.
• County assessor: Democrat Pat Hynes faces Libertarian Nico Tsatsoulis.
• County clerk: Democratic incumbent Monica Gordon is running unopposed.
• County sheriff: Democratic incumbent Thomas J. Dart faces Libertarian Brad Sandefur.
• County treasurer: Democratic incumbent Maria Pappas is running unopposed.

County commissioner and Board of Review contests depend on district boundaries. The 14th County Board District lists Democratic incumbent Scott R. Britton as unopposed. Residents should consult their personalized sample ballot for the district contests covering their address.

Cook County residents also vote for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioners. The six-year contest allows voters to choose up to three candidates:

• Precious Brady-Davis, Democrat
• Eira Lizeth Corral Sepulveda, Democrat
• Beth McElroy Kirkwood, Democrat
• Michelle Pennington, Republican
• Timothy E. Rueckert, Republican
• Jill B. Shestokas, Republican

Democrat Cameron "Cam" Davis is unopposed in a separate contest for an unexpired two-year term.

Judicial Contests And Retention Questions

Lake County voters will cast separate yes-or-no votes on whether to retain 19th Judicial Circuit Judges James K. Booras and Marnie M. Slavin. Judicial retention questions ask whether a judge should remain in office rather than requiring voters to choose between opposing candidates.

Cook County residents will have a different judicial ballot, including retention questions and any judicial vacancy contests applicable to their address. Residents should review their personalized sample ballot before voting.

Lake County School Sales Tax Referendum

Buffalo Grove voters registered in Lake County will consider a countywide referendum asking whether to approve a 1 percent sales tax for school facilities, school resource officers and mental health professionals.

A yes vote would authorize the tax, while a no vote would reject it. This Lake County question will not appear on the ballots of Buffalo Grove residents registered in Cook County.

• Lake County Voters To Decide On 1% School Sales Tax

Vernon Area Public Library Bond Referendum

Residents who live in the Vernon Area Public Library District will consider a proposal to issue $39.5 million in bonds to renovate and expand the library.

The planned work includes an addition connecting the main building and Annex, a relocated entrance, more study rooms and program space, a community makerspace and building system improvements.

The library estimates the overall project would cost $53 million, with $13.5 million covered by existing savings and other non-referendum funding.

The question applies only to voters in the Vernon Area Public Library District, not all Buffalo Grove residents. Project details and a tax impact calculator are available at VAPLD.info/LibraryPlan.

District 214 School Bond Referendum

Buffalo Grove residents who live in Township High School District 214 will vote on a proposal to issue $295 million in school building bonds.

The proposal would fund repairs and improvements across the district’s seven campuses, including Buffalo Grove High School. Projects include fire safety systems, secure doors, accessibility improvements, roofs, windows, electrical and plumbing systems, heating and cooling equipment, and instructional spaces.

This question applies to District 214 voters. It does not apply to residents solely because they have a Buffalo Grove address, including those who live in Stevenson High School District 125.

Project information and estimated tax impacts are available through the district’s Renew 214 website.

Cook County Millionaire Tax Advisory Question

Buffalo Grove voters registered in Cook County will also consider a nonbinding question about a proposed statewide income tax surcharge on millionaires.

The question asks whether Illinois should adopt a 3 percent surcharge, with half the resulting revenue used for property tax relief and half for public education.

Because the referendum is advisory, passage would express voters' preferences rather than enact the tax.

How Can I See My Complete Ballot?

Residents should use their voting address to view a personalized sample ballot through the appropriate county clerk:

• Lake County sample ballot and election information
• Cook County personalized voter information

The sample ballot will show the congressional, legislative, county, judicial and referendum choices applicable to that address.

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