2026 Voting Guides

Illinois voting guide

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Here’s what you need to vote in Illinois.

Check Your Registration

Even if you voted last time, check that you’re still registered. Check your registration

Register by:
  • By mail or in person: Tues., Oct. 6
  • Online: Sun., Oct. 18
  • At an early voting site: Mon., Nov. 2
  • At your polling place: Tues., Nov. 3

Missed it? You can register and vote the same day, through Election Day. Bring two IDs, and one must show where you live.

Key Dates

  • Last day for regular registration (by mail or at your election office)
  • Grace-period registration and voting begin
  • Last day to register online
  • Last day for your election office to receive a mail-ballot application by mail or online
  • Last day of early voting; last day to apply for a mail ballot in person
  • Election Day: polls open 6 a.m.–7 p.m.; same-day registration available; mail ballots must be postmarked today
  • Last day for postmarked mail ballots to arrive; last day to fix (cure) a rejected mail ballot

Your Voting Checklist

  • Vote early in person from Thurs., Sept. 24 to Mon., Nov. 2.
  • Vote by mail. Any voter can vote by mail.
    Request a ballot by Thurs., Oct. 29. Request a mail ballot
    Return it by Tues., Nov. 3.
    Problem with your ballot? If your ballot is rejected, your election office will tell you how to fix it by Nov. 17. Track your ballot
  • Vote on Election Day, Tues., Nov. 3, 6 a.m.–7 p.m. local time. Find your polling place
  • Bring the right ID. Most voters don't need to show ID. See the official ID rules
  • Review your sample ballot before you go.
  • Have a past conviction?
    • You can't vote only while you are in prison.
    • Your right to vote comes back when you get out, even on parole or probation.
    • You then need to register again.
  • Make a plan and bring three people. Make a plan

What’s on Your Ballot

These are the biggest races in Illinois this year. Please note, we do not endorse any candidates.

Governor

  • Darren Bailey Republican · Campaign site
  • Farmer from Clay County; former state senator and state representative; 2022 Republican nominee for governor. Running mate: Aaron Del Mar.
  • JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent · Campaign site
  • Governor of Illinois since 2019; businessman. Running mate: Christian Mitchell.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

Darren Bailey Republican

No public position found.

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Signed a 2020 law expanding vote by mail and making Election Day a state holiday. Source

Policing, prisons & public safety

Darren Bailey Republican

Pledges to "stand with law enforcement," hold violent criminals accountable and crack down on repeat offenders; opposes "policies that put politics ahead of public safety." Source

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Signed the SAFE-T Act (2021), making Illinois the first state to end cash bail. Signed an assault weapons ban in 2023. Source

Immigration

Darren Bailey Republican

Has called immigration agents wearing masks "concerning" and said as governor "there would be no one wearing masks." Source

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Signed 2019 laws barring state and local police from helping ICE with deportations; opposed the 2025 federal "Operation Midway Blitz." Source

Abortion & health care

Darren Bailey Republican

Opposes abortion. In 2022 said he supports a ban with an exception only to save the mother's life. Source

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Signed the Reproductive Health Act (2019), which made abortion a "fundamental right" under Illinois law. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Darren Bailey Republican

Pledges to lower taxes and cut state spending; proposed an "Illinois DOGE" to audit spending. Source

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Signed a law ending the state's 1% grocery tax starting Jan. 1, 2026. Says he is running to "make things more affordable." Source

Workers & wages

Darren Bailey Republican

No public position found.

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Signed laws raising the minimum wage to $15 by 2025 and requiring up to 40 hours of paid leave a year (2023). Source

Housing

Darren Bailey Republican

Says "no family should ever pay more in property taxes than their mortgage"; promises property tax relief. Source

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Proposed the 2026 BUILD plan to loosen local zoning rules so more homes can be built. Source

Schools

Darren Bailey Republican

Says "funding is not the issue" for schools; wants less state control: "let parents decide." Source

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Expanded state-funded preschool (Smart Start). Says schools need more funding; has not opted into the federal private-school tax credit. Source

Civil rights, DEI & LGBTQ+ rights

Darren Bailey Republican

No public position found.

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Issued a 2019 order requiring schools to be "affirming and inclusive" of transgender and nonbinary students. Source

Climate & environmental justice

Darren Bailey Republican

Would pause all existing data center tax deals; backs utility rules for data centers to lower power bills. Source

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Signed the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (2021), phasing out coal plants by 2035 and gas plants by 2045. Source

Books, press & public media

Darren Bailey Republican

No public position found.

JB Pritzker Democratic, incumbent

Signed a 2023 law that cuts state grants to libraries that ban books for partisan or doctrinal reasons. Source

U.S. Senate

  • Juliana Stratton Democratic · Campaign site
  • Lieutenant governor of Illinois since 2019; former state representative.
  • Don Tracy Republican · Campaign site
  • Springfield attorney; former chair of the Illinois Republican Party and the Illinois Gaming Board.

Stance on key issues

Voting rights & elections

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Supports passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. Source

Don Tracy Republican

Says he would work to ensure "elections are transparent and fair." Source

Policing, prisons & public safety

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Supports "common sense gun safety laws"; backed Illinois's assault weapons ban. Source

Don Tracy Republican

Pledges to "support law enforcement" and "hold violent criminals accountable." Source

Immigration

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Calls for abolishing ICE; supports a path to citizenship, including for Dreamers. Source

Don Tracy Republican

Supports securing the border; backs legal status, but not citizenship, for some long-time residents raised here. Source

Abortion & health care

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Supports Medicare for All and restoring the abortion protections of Roe v. Wade; says health care "is a right." Source

Don Tracy Republican

Wants price transparency, more competition and limits on drug "middlemen" to lower health costs. Source

Economy, taxes & cost of living

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Wants a middle-class tax cut paid for by higher taxes on income over $1 million; wants to end the trade war. Source

Don Tracy Republican

Pledges to lower taxes and cut "wasteful spending"; supports no tax on tips. Source

Workers & wages

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Supports a $25 federal minimum wage. Source

Don Tracy Republican

No public position found.

Housing

Juliana Stratton Democratic

No public position found.

Don Tracy Republican

Supports removing barriers "that make it harder to build affordable homes." Source

Schools

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Wants to restore the U.S. Department of Education and expand federal support for trade schools. Source

Don Tracy Republican

Supports "parents' rights and policies that put children's well-being first." Source

Civil rights, DEI & LGBTQ+ rights

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Says she has stood up for LGBTQ+ rights alongside Gov. Pritzker. Source

Don Tracy Republican

No public position found.

Climate & environmental justice

Juliana Stratton Democratic

Says she worked with Gov. Pritzker to "take urgent action on climate change." Source

Don Tracy Republican

Supports an "all-of-the-above energy policy" to lower gas and electric bills. Source

Protect the Vote

  • Apply to be a poll worker and support free and fair elections.
  • Watch the count. Take a training to learn how to observe the polls.
  • If anyone tries to stop you from voting or something at your polling place seems wrong:
    • Call 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
    • Call 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) en español
    • Call 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) Asian languages
    • Call 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) Arabic
    • If you’re in line when polls close, stay in line. You can still vote.
    • If your name isn’t on the list, ask for a provisional ballot.
    • Know your rights

Organizations to Support

Anti-Racism Daily will never tell you who to vote for and does not endorse candidates. Information here has been pulled from the internet and may be inaccurate. Please fact-check your sources. If you spot a mistake, please let us know so we can fix it.

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