Algonquin, Lake In The Hills Election Guide: March Primary 2026

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — McHenry County voters are heading to the polls on Tuesday, March 17, for the primary election, where they’ll choose party nominees for local, state, and federal offices. Residents will also weigh in on key referenda, including a Hebron Township road bond and a statewide scholarship tax question.

• Referenda To Appear On McHenry County Voters' Ballots: What You Need To Know

With early voting, vote-by-mail, and same-day registration options, there are multiple ways for voters to cast their ballot this primary election. Here’s everything McHenry County residents need to know to prepare before you head to the polls.

Key Dates, How to Vote

• The primary election is Tuesday, March 17, 2026 — this is when voters choose party nominees for the November general election.
• Polls are open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.
• Early voting began in February 5 at the McHenry County Election Center in Woodstock and will expand to other locations on March 2 and continuing through March 16. More information on early voting locations can be found here.
• Vote by mail applications must be received by the county clerk by March 12. More information can be found on the county clerk's website.
• Same-day and grace period voter registration is available during early voting and on Election Day with appropriate ID or proof of residency.

Ballot Details

• Local ballot items include county board districts, county clerk, treasurer, sheriff, and precinct committeeperson races, plus referendums such as a non-binding question on a state scholarship tax credit and a Hebron Township road bond measure.
• Sample ballots and your polling place information are available on the McHenry County Clerk's Office website.

Local Races to Know

Here are some of the local contests on the March 17 primary ballot:

• McHenry County Board Districts 1–9: Candidates from both parties are filed in most districts.
• McHenry County Clerk: Democratic and Republican nominees on the ballot.
• McHenry County Treasurer: Democratic and Republican nominees.
• Sheriff: Incumbent sheriff Robb Tadelman (R) is running unopposed in the GOP primary.
• Precinct Committeepersons: Local party leadership positions appear on ballots with write-in options.

(This is not an exhaustive list of candidates — refer to sample ballots for your address.)

Statewide & Higher-Level Races

• Illinois voters will also see statewide primaries for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, and other statewide offices.
• McHenry County residents fall into congressional and legislative districts that have primary contests for party nominations on March 17.

Tips for Voters

• Check your registration status online before Election Day. You can do so here.
• Bring ID if you’re registering or updating your registration on Election Day.
• Review sample ballots ahead of time to understand local issues and candidates. And check back to Patch.com — and sign up for our free newsletters — as we will be updating with more election news in the coming weeks.