This St. Patrick’s Day, McHenry County voters can head to the polls in addition to sampling a green beer.

March 17 marks the 2026 primary, where voters can pull a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot come November. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

The deadline for candidates to file was Nov. 3.

Who is running and how can I learn more about them?

McHenry County Sheriff: Incumbent Robb Tadelman, a Republican, filed to run for reelection Oct. 27. No one else filed.

McHenry County Treasurer: Incumbent Donna Kurtz, a Republican, filed to run for reelection Oct. 27. Democrat Amin Karim, who lost to Kurtz in 2022, filed to run for the office again Oct. 27.

Regional Superintendent: Incumbent Diana Hartmann, a Republican, filed to run for reelection Oct. 27. No one else filed.

McHenry County Clerk/Recorder: Incumbent Joe Tirio, a Republican, filed Oct. 31. Democrat Bill McNesse filed to run for the office Oct. 29.

McHenry County Board, District 1: The district is based in southeastern McHenry County. Incumbent Matt Kunkle, an Algonquin Republican, filed for reelection Nov. 3. Democrat Dee Darling filed to run Oct. 30.

McHenry County Board, District 2: The district is based in southeastern McHenry County. Incumbent Gloria Van Hof, a Crystal Lake Democrat, filed to run for reelection Oct. 27. No one else filed.

McHenry County Board, District 3: The district is based in south-central McHenry County. Incumbent Carolyn Campbell, a Crystal Lake Democrat, filed to run for reelection Oct. 28. Republican Robert Reining filed to run Oct. 27.

McHenry County Board, District 4: The district is based in central McHenry County. Incumbent Joe Gottemoller, a Crystal Lake Republican, filed to run for reelection Oct. 27. Democrat Edward “Bud” Bowie Jr. filed to run Oct. 29.

McHenry County Board, District 5: The district is based in eastern McHenry County. Incumbent Terri Greeno, a Crystal Lake Republican, filed to run for reelection Oct. 27. Democrat Austin May filed to run Oct. 27.

McHenry County Board, District 6: The district is based in northeastern McHenry County. Incumbent Pamela Althoff, a McHenry Republican, filed to run for reelection Oct. 27. Democrat Sheryl Lindenbaum filed to run Oct. 29.

McHenry County Board, District 7: The district is based in central McHenry County. Incumbent Brian Sager, a Woodstock Republican, filed to run for reelection Oct. 29. He faces a primary challenge from Jeff Schwartz, who filed Oct. 31. Democrat Patrick J. Shea filed to run Oct. 27.

• Brian Sager’s candidate questionnaire.

McHenry County Board, District 8: The district covers much of north and western McHenry County. Incumbent Larry Smith, a Harvard Republican, faces a primary challenge from Marengo Park Board President and Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Marty Mohr. Democrat Christy “Chris” Stevens filed to run Oct. 29.

• Larry Smith’s candidate questionnaire.
• Marty Mohr’s candidate questionnaire.

McHenry County Board, District 9: The district is based in southwestern McHenry County. Incumbent Michael Skala, a Huntley Republican, did not file for reelection. Former Huntley trustee Niko Kanakaris filed for the GOP nomination Oct. 27. Democrat Christine B. Hamm filed to run Oct. 30.

Illinois governor and lieutenant governor: Incumbent JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. He has named Christian Mitchell as his running mate after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her intention to run for the U.S. Senate.

Conservative research group Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, former state Sen. Darren Bailey and Gold Rush Gaming owner Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills have filed as Republicans.

The only other Democrat to file, Patricia L. Tillman of Chicago, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection as was Republicans Gregg Moore of Broadview and Joseph Severino of Lake Forest. Republican Max Solomon of Hazel Crest withdrew his candidacy.

• Ted Dabrowski’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “‘More listening and less talking’: Darren Bailey insists results will be different in 2nd run for governor”
• Coverage: “GOP governor candidates in McHenry say abolishing TRUST Act would end need for ICE raids”
• Coverage: “Conservative policy wonk Ted Dabrowski gets off sidelines with run for governor”
• Coverage: “Few fireworks as Illinois GOP governor hopefuls share stage for first time”
• Coverage: “Bailey talks Bears stadium as GOP gubernatorial candidates pile on Pritzker”
• Coverage: “Bailey talks faith, family, future at Sterling campaign stop”
• Coverage: “Bailey proposes ‘Illinois DOGE’ as Republican governor’s race focuses on spending”
• Coverage: “Taxes, sanctuary status and electability key issues in GOP gubernatorial joust”

Illinois attorney general: Incumbent Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, has filed to run for another term. Former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti has filed to run as a Republican.

Republican Andy Williams Jr. of Darien was removed from the ballot following a successful objection and JoAnne Guillemette of Chicago withdrew after an objection was filed.

• Andy Williams Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.

Illinois secretary of state: Alexi Giannoulias, an incumbent Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. Walter Adamczyk of Chicago and Joliet Junior College Trustee Diane M. Harris filed to run as Republicans.

• Walter Adamczyk’s candidate questionnaire.
• Diane Harris’ candidate questionnaire.

Illinois comptroller: Incumbent Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, is not running again. State Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim of Mundelein, state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego have filed to run as Democrats and and Bryan Drew of Benton as a Republican.

Champaign County Auditor George Danos, a Democrat, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

• Holly Kim’s candidate questionnaire.
• Margaret Croke’s candidate questionnaire.
• Stephanie Kifowit’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller”

Illinois treasurer: Incumbent Michael Frerichs, a Democrat, has filed to run for a fourth term.

U.S. Senate: Incumbent Dick Durbin, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection.

Casey Chlebek, former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy, R. Cary Capparelli of Chicago, Pamela Denise Long of Edwardsville, Jimmy Lee Tillman II of Chicago, John Goodman of Des Plaines and Jeannie Evans of Chicago have filed to run as Republicans.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Kevin Ryan of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, Steve Botsford Jr. of Chicago, Jonathan Dean of Chicago, Sean Brown of Orland Park, Bryan Maxwell of Urbana, Awisi A. Bustos of Springfield and Christopher A. Swann of Chicago as Democrats. Independents Tyrone Muhammad and Austin J. Mink have also said they are running.

Democrats Adam Delgado of Chicago, Anthony Williams of Dolton and Jump Shepherd of North Riverside were removed from the ballot following successful objections as was CaSándra Claiborne of Chicago. Democrat Robert Palmer of Chicago and Republican John Goodman of Des Plaines withdrew as candidates.

• Don Tracy’s candidate questionnaire.
• R. Cary Capparelli’s candidate questionnaire.
• Pamela Denise Long’s candidate questionnaire.
• Raja Krishnamoorthi’s candidate questionnaire.
• Robin Kelly’s candidate questionnaire.
• Steve Botsford Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.
• Jonathan Dean’s candidate questionnaire.
• Bryan Maxwell’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “Democratic Senate candidates clash on donations, opine on extraterrestrial controversy"
• Coverage: “GOP Senate candidates offer contrasting solutions to rising costs and economic challenges”
• Coverage: “Ukraine support key for GOP Senate candidates despite cost concerns”
• Coverage: “Illinois GOP Senate candidates take stage in first major debate”

U.S. House of Representatives: All 17 members of Congress representing Illinois are up in 2026. To find what district you live in, go to congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

• District 9: Jan Schakowsky, a Democrat representing parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry, is not seeking reelection after being in office since 1999. The candidates who filed as Democrats so far include: Phil Andrew of Wilmette, Kat Abughazaleh of Chicago, Mike Simmons of Chicago, Laura Fine of Glenview, Sam Polan of Wilmette, Nick Pyati of Evanston, Bushra Amiwala of Skokie, Justin Ford of Chicago, Daniel Biss of Evanston, Bethany Johnson of Evanston, Jeff Cohen of Evanston and Hoan Huynh of Chicago. On the Republican side, John Elleson of Arlington Heights, Paul Friedman of Chicago and Dongbo Mark Su of Chicago filed. Bruce Leon of Chicago and Natalie Angelo of Park Ridge withdrew their candidacies. Howard Rosenblum of Skokie announced on Facebook that he paused his campaign.
• Phil Andrew’s candidate questionnaire.
• Mike Simmons’ candidate questionnaire.
• Laura Fine’s candidate questionnaire.
• Sam Polan’s candidate questionnaire.
• Bushra Amiwala’s candidate questionnaire.
• John Elleson’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “More than $12M pouring into 9th Congressional District race”
• Coverage: “Republican congressional candidate confronts Democratic rival with prison-themed gift bag at event”
• Coverage: “GOP hopefuls in 9th Congressional District differ on immigration policy”
• District 10: Brad Schneider, a Democrat representing parts of Cook, Lake and McHenry, has filed to run for reelection. Morgan Coghill of Mundelein also filed as a Democrat and Carl Lambrecht of Highland Park has filed as a Republican. Democrat Thomas Rudd of Lake Forest withdrew his candidacy and John Minarcik of Zion had his name removed from the ballot following a successful objection.
• Coverage: “War or genocide? Schneider and Coghill clash over Israel-Gaza conflict”
• District 11: Bill Foster, a Democrat representing parts of Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will, has filed to run for reelection. Elburn Village President Jeff Walter, Michael Pierce of Naperville and Charlie Kim of Aurora have filed as Republicans. Tedora Brown of Palos Park was initially removed from the ballot but an appeals court ordered she be added to the ballot after early voting started in some counties.
• Jeff Walter’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 16: Darin LaHood, a Republican representing Boone, Bureau, DeKalb, Grundy, La Salle, Lee, Livingston, McHenry, Ogle and Putnam counties in addition to other counties in north-central Illinois, has filed to run for reelection. Paul Nolley of Roscoe has filed to run as a Democrat. Republican John Kitover of Chicago was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

Illinois Senate: Like its federal counterpart, only some of its members are up for reelection this year. In McHenry County, that includes:

• District 26: Darby A. Hills, a Republican representing Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties, has filed to run for reelection. Hills was appointed in February 2025 to fill out the remainder of Dan McConchie’s term. Nabeela Syed of Inverness has filed as a Democrat.
• District 32: Craig Wilcox, a Republican representing Lake and McHenry counties, has filed to run for reelection. Karen Battaglia of Antioch has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Karen Battaglia’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 33: Don DeWitte, a Republican representing Kane, DuPage and McHenry counties, is not running for reelection. Michele Clark of Algonquin filed to run as a Democrat and Danielle Penman of St. Charles and Jessica Breugelmans of Geneva as Republicans. Satnaam Singh Mago, a Democrat from Wayne, withdrew his candidacy, and Cody Holt, a Republican from Elgin, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.
• District 35: Dave Syverson, a Republican representing Boone, DeKalb, Kane, McHenry and Winnebago counties, has filed to run for reelection. Sarah B. Mertens of Crystal Lake filed as a Democrat.

Illinois House of Representatives: All state representative seats are up every two years. The races in McHenry County include:

• District 52: Martin McLaughlin, a Republican representing Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties, has filed to run for reelection. Erin Chan Ding of South Barrington and Maria Peterson of North Barrington have filed to run as Democrats.
• Martin McLaughlin’s candidate questionnaire.
• Maria Peterson’s candidate questionnaire.
• Coverage: “52nd House Democratic hopefuls discuss immigration, Illinois TRUST Act”
• Coverage: “Candidates spar over which Democrat could oust Republican in state’s District 52″
• District 63: Steven Reick, a Republican representing McHenry County, has filed to run for reelection. Democrat Brian D. Meyers of Crystal Lake was removed from the ballot following a successful challenge.
• District 64: Tom Weber, a Republican representing McHenry and Lake counties, has filed to run for reelection. AJ Johnson of Lake Villa has filed as a Democrat.
• District 66: Suzanne M. Ness, a Democrat representing Kane and McHenry counties, has filed to run for reelection. Laurie Parman of Sleepy Hollow filed as a Republican.
• District 69: Joe C. Sosnowski, a Republican representing Boone, McHenry and Winnebago counties, has filed to run for reelection. Peter Janko of Marengo has filed as a Democrat.
• Joe Sosnowski’s candidate questionnaire.
• District 70: Jeff Keicher, a Republican representing DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties, has filed to run for reelection. Veronica Garcia-Martinez of Cortland has filed to run as a Democrat.
• Veronica Garcia-Martinez’s candidate questionnaire.

What referendums are on the ballot?

Three referendums will greet McHenry County voters, one of which is countywide.

Voters countywide will be asked a nonbinding question about whether Illinois should opt in to a federal scholarship tax credit program. The McHenry County Board approved a measure to place that question before the voters, and other counties in Illinois also will have an advisory referendum on the matter.

In Hebron Township, the road district is asking voters if it can issue $2 million in bonds for road purposes.

In the Fox Lake Fire Protection District, which is predominantly in Lake County but includes some portions of far northeastern McHenry County, voters will be asked whether to approve a new property tax to go toward the district’s pension fund. According to referendum language from the McHenry County Clerk’s Office, the estimated increase to a property with a home with a $100,000 fair market value would be $20 this levy year.

Read more here.

What judicial races will I get to vote on?

Three vacancies are up at the Illinois appellate court level, although none in the district that includes McHenry County, according to an Illinois State Board of Elections list as of Sept. 3. Voters also will get to vote on retentions.

Important dates

Feb. 5: Early voting starts, and county clerks begin mailing ballots.

March 1: Last day to register to vote online through the Illinois State Board of Elections website. Grace period registration and voting continues through election day.

March 17: Election day for the 2026 primary. Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can request a partisan ballot with either Democratic or Republican candidates listed or a nonpartisan ballot, which includes any referenda.