Illinois voters decide Pritzker's fate and Senate race in 2026 midterms

Polls opened at 6 a.m. On Tuesday, November 3, across Illinois, including in Joliet, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Orland Park, Tinley Park, and Downers Grove. Voting will continue until 7 p.m. Local time. Residents in these Will County and DuPage County communities are casting ballots in a pivotal midterm election that determines control of the U.S. Congress and several state leadership positions.

The most prominent state race on the ballot is for governor. Incumbent Democratic Governor JB Pritzker is running for re-election against Republican and other party challengers. This contest is part of a broader national trend where 36 governorships are up for grabs. Democrats currently hold 24 governorships, while Republicans hold 26. In this specific race, the outcome will influence whether Democrats can gain a majority of governorships nationwide, a position they have not held since 2010.

Illinois voters are also selecting a U.S. Senator to fill an open seat. No incumbent is running in this race, as the previous senator is not seeking re-election. The candidates on the ballot represent the Democratic and Republican parties. This Senate race is one of 35 seats being decided across the country. With Republicans holding 53 seats and Democrats holding 45, plus two independents who caucus with Democrats, the margin for victory is narrow. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to secure a majority in the Senate.

Every U.S. House seat in Illinois is also on the ballot. Nationally, all 435 seats are up for election. Republicans currently hold 218 seats, while Democrats hold 214. To gain control of the House, Democrats must win a net gain of three districts. This is a significant challenge given that 60 House incumbents, including 37 Republicans and 23 Democrats, did not run again this cycle. Ballotpedia identifies 46 battleground districts in the House, with 25 currently held by Democrats and 21 by Republicans.

The Associated Press describes the 2026 midterm election as a referendum on President Donald Trump's second term. Polling from the AP and NORC indicates that 35 percent of U.S. Adults approve of Trump's job performance, while only 25 percent approve of his handling of the economy. Approximately seven in ten Americans say the country is heading in the wrong direction. These sentiments are driving voter turnout, with more than 57 million people having already voted before Election Day, surpassing early vote numbers from the previous cycle in many states.

In the national picture, the Senate race is particularly contentious. Thirteen Senate races are considered battlegrounds, including open seats in states like Iowa, Michigan, Montana, and North Carolina. In Michigan, an open seat is being contested by Republican former Representative Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed. In North Carolina, former Governor Roy Cooper is challenging Republican Michael Whatley. These races are critical because they could determine which party controls the chamber, with implications for investigations and potential impeachment proceedings if Democrats win.

Financial factors are also shaping the election. The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history. Republican committees have out-raised and out-spent their Democratic counterparts, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and contributions from Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have out-raised their opponents. 88.1 percent of Republican general election TV ad spending went to states and districts that Trump won in 2024, including over $850 million in areas where he won by 10 points or more.

Local voters in Joliet and surrounding towns are aware of the federal implications of their state's choices. The results of the Illinois Senate race will contribute to the national tally that determines Senate control. Meanwhile, the governor's race in Illinois will impact the balance of power in state legislatures and executive offices. With polls closing at 7 p.m., anyone in line at that time is entitled to vote and USA.gov guidelines.

The mood among voters is mixed. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters stated, 'Everything depends on turnout. If we turn out our voters, we win, and that's what we've been planning for.' Conversely, DCCC Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene said, 'The American people are angry. They want change.' Individual voters in Illinois are expressing concerns about high prices and the cost of healthcare, reflecting the national themes identified by the Associated Press.

As polls close in the evening, the focus will shift to the counting of ballots. The U.S. Postal Service has added hours and staff to ensure mail ballots are counted on time. A federal judge temporarily barred the Trump administration from implementing a plan to prevent noncitizen voting, which critics argued could disenfranchise eligible voters. This legal development adds another layer of complexity to the election administration process in Illinois and other states.

The outcome of these races will have lasting effects on the political landscape for the next two years. If Democrats win control of either chamber of Congress, it could lead to increased oversight and investigations. A strong Democratic performance would also boost the prospects of potential 2028 presidential candidates like Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg. For now, the attention remains on the voters in Illinois who are deciding the fate of key offices on a day that marks the midpoint of Trump's second term.