2026 Midterms State GuideIllinois
Hold on to your deep-dish and windmills.
- PrimaryStatewideMarch 17This date has passed.
- Election DayGeneralNov. 3
Updated
Hi! It’s me, Shadrach. Apparently, I’m your civic guide today. If you’ve been complaining about how things are going (and I’ve heard you, the walls are thin), this guide will help you feel informed and able to vote in this year’s midterms. Now, hold on to your deep-dish and windmills, and let’s get into it.
Illinois at a glance
Illinois votes on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, for governor, U.S. Senate and all 17 U.S. House seats.
- Election Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Voter registration
- Oct. 6: Last day to register to vote by mail
- Early voting
- Sep. 24: Early voting begins
- Governor
- 3 candidates
- U.S. Senate
- 3 candidates
- U.S. House
- 17 seats
- Statewide ballot measures
- None
Your to-do list
0 of 3 doneImportant dates
- Sep. 24Early voting begins This date has passed.
- Oct. 6Last day to register to vote by mail
- Oct. 18Last day to register online
- Nov. 2Early voting ends, mail-in/absentee ballots deadline
- Nov. 3Election Day, last day to register in person
What’s at stake
Illinois has two full statewide contests in 2026: a U.S. Senate race featuring Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton (D) against former Illinois GOP chair Don Tracy (R), and a rematch governor's race with incumbent JB Pritzker (D) pursuing a historic third term against Darren Bailey (R), the farmer and former state rep who lost to Pritzker by 13 points in 2022. Economic concerns top Illinois voters' minds: inflation and cost of living, jobs, and long-running fiscal challenges. Democrats hold a structural advantage in Illinois, but Republicans argue that Pritzker-era policies have driven up costs and driven out residents. Illinois has 17 House seats in play, including five open seats, making it more competitive than its statewide voting patterns suggest.
Who’s on your ballot
Tap a race to see the candidates.
Illinois is choosing a governor
See whose priorities line up with yours
Here are the top priorities each candidate lists, in their own words. Pick the 2 that matter most to you. Names stay hidden until you see your results.
0 of 2 picked
- Top priorities
Darren BaileyRepublican- Dramatically cutting state spending and property taxes to make Illinois more affordable for families and businesses
- Restoring public safety in Chicago and across Illinois by fully funding law enforcement and reversing progressive criminal justice policies
- Protecting life from conception and standing against abortion expansion policies passed under Gov. Pritzker
JB PritzkerDemocratincumbent
Top priorities- Investing in public education from preschool through higher education to build Illinois' long-term economic competitiveness
- Expanding access to healthcare and protecting reproductive rights as a fundamental right for Illinois women
- Growing Illinois' economy through clean energy investment, workforce development, and making the state a hub for technology and innovation
- Read Gary’s Platform
Gary PierceIndependent
- Get to know ’em
Don TracyRepublican - Get to know ’em
Whitfield Harrington Jr.American Center Party
All U.S. House of Representatives seats are up for election every two years. Find your district here.
- Shadrach’s big picture
Illinois sends 17 representatives to Congress, making it the fifth-largest House delegation. Democrats currently hold 14 seats; Republicans hold 3. The 2026 cycle features an unusually high number of open seats, creating potential for change even in a deep-blue state.
- Open seats
Five. Reps Jesus Garcia (D-4), Danny K. Davis (D-7), and Jan Schakowsky (D-9) retired from office; and Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-8) and Robin Kelly (D-2) ran for the U.S. Senate. These open seats are scattered across both Chicago-area and downstate districts.
- Competitive districts
Cook doesn’t rank any Illinois district competitive. IL-12, IL-15, and IL-16 are ranked solidly Republican, and the rest are solidly Democratic. None of the 17 districts were guaranteed to either party.
Also on the ballot
Other races Illinois voters will decide.
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Secretary of State
- Comptroller
- Treasurer
- State Senate
- State House
- Intermediate appellate courts
- School boards
- Municipal governments
Whose job is it?
Ten things government does. Tap the office that does each one.
Whose job is it to…
1 of 10
Declare a state of emergency after a hurricane or flood?
Pass it on
Know someone voting in Illinois?
Send them the guide. It takes one tap, and it saves them an evening of arguing in a group chat.
A prayer for Illinois
Faithful Father, steady the hearts of Illinoisans with your steadfast care this midterm season. Protect voters’ judgment and anchor them in wisdom to vote, seeking the righteousness of Your Kingdom and the flourishing of their communities.
Keep candidates from performance, posturing, and contempt. Instead, help them campaign with transparency and integrity. May whoever wins steward the weight of this office well, leading with dignity and discernment.
For the many who will be disappointed by the result, comfort them in their grief and make Yourself known to them in their fear of tomorrow. Open doors for conversations about the good news that Your sovereignty is not suspended on election night, and your good purposes aren’t undone by any election cycle.
And for the many who will be pleased, turn their hearts toward love of neighbor, humble service, and gracious speech.
Amen.