Election Resources
2026 Voter Education Guide: Illinois Gubernatorial Election
Key Dates
The 2026 Illinois gubernatorial election is part of the midterm elections. This guide helps voters understand what to check before Election Day, where to find reliable information, and how to make a voting plan. Staying informed is an important part of participating in democracy.
- October 6, 2026Voter registration closes for deputy registrars and local election officials.
- October 18, 2026Last day to register to vote online.
- October 19, 2026First day of early voting.
- October 29, 2026Last day to request a mail ballot.
- November 2, 2026Last day of early voting.
- November 3, 2026Election Day and the last day to postmark mail ballots.
2026 Evanston Voting Locations
Twenty-six locations across Evanston. Confirm which one is yours with the Cook County Clerk before you go, because assignments change.
- The Alice Millar Chapel
- Jane R. Perlman Apartments
- Noyes Cultural Art Center
- Meridian
- McGraw YMCA
- Unitarian Church of Evanston
- Evanston Skokie School District 65
- Washington Elementary School
- Robert Crown Community Center
- Nichols Junior High School
- Lincoln Elementary School
- Lake Street Church
- Fleetwood-Jordan Community Center
- Northminster Presbyterian Church
- Willard Elementary School
- Hillside Free Methodist Church
- Westminster Place
- Haven Junior High School
- Lincolnwood Elementary School
- Evanston Ecology Center
- BAHAI National Center (adm. office)
- James Park Shed
- Oakton Elementary School
- Palm House
- Grace Lutheran Church
- Chute Junior High School
Recommended Candidates
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls open 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. State law allows you to bring this sample ballot with you into the voting booth.
Statewide
- 2Juliana Stratton U.S. Senator
- 5JB Pritzker & Christian Mitchell Governor & Lt. Governor
- 8Kwame Raoul Attorney General
- 10Alexi Giannoulias Secretary of State
- 12Margaret Croke Comptroller
- 14Michael W. Frerichs Treasurer
Legislative
- 22Daniel Biss U.S. Congress
- 32Patrick Hanley State Senator
State Representative (one per ballot)
- 42Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 17th District
- 42Robyn Gabel 18th District
Water Reclamation District
6-Year Term · vote for 3
- 54Precious Brady-Davis
- 55Eira Lizeth Corral Sepúlveda
- 56Beth McElroy Kirkwood
2-Year Term
- 57Cameron “Cam” Davis
Cook County
- 62Toni Preckwinkle County Board President
- 64Monica Gordon County Clerk
- 65Thomas J. Dart County Sheriff
- 67Maria Pappas County Treasurer
- 68Pat Hynes County Assessor
- 72Josina Morita County Commissioner
- 82Elizabeth “Liz” Nicholson Board of Review
Judges
- 102Judith C. Rice Appellate Court
Circuit Court
- 103Steven Q. McKenzie
- 104Luz Maria Toledo
- 105Ashonta C. Rice
- 106Ava George Stewart
- 107D’Anthony “Tony” Thedford
Judicial Retention
Vote YES on all
On the second ballot card, front and back
Cook County Democratic Party 2026 Endorsed Candidates Guide
Important Election Information
Evanston is in suburban Cook County, so the Cook County Clerk is your election authority.
- Vote By Mail - Ballot RequestCook County Clerk mail voting portal (opens in a new tab)
- Find your polling placeLook up your voter information (opens in a new tab)
- Register to VoteCook County Clerk voter registration (opens in a new tab)
- Find your wardCity of Evanston interactive ward map (opens in a new tab)
- Office of the Evanston City ClerkLocal election official and deputy registrar (opens in a new tab)
- Office of Cook County ClerkSuburban Cook County election authority (opens in a new tab)
Your Local Elected Officials
For federal and state representatives, see About Us.
- City of Evanston (opens in a new tab)
- School District 65 (opens in a new tab)
- School District 202 (opens in a new tab)
- Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (opens in a new tab)
- Oakton Community College Trustees (opens in a new tab)
- Directory of Elected Officials - Suburban Cook County (opens in a new tab)