Joliet voters weigh Illinois races as 10 governorships become national flashpoints
With polls open from 6 a.m. To 7 p.m. In Will County, residents vote in the open Senate seat and Gov. Pritzker's race while watching closely contested gubernatorial contests in ten other states.
By Anthony Foster ·
Polls in Will County opened at 6 a.m. On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and will remain open until 7 p.m. Voters in Joliet, Naperville, Bolingbrook, Orland Park, Tinley Park, and Downers Grove are casting ballots in what is described as a critical midterm election halfway through President Donald Trump's second term. The Associated Press notes that the results will determine which party controls Congress for the president's final two years, with all 435 U.S. House seats and 35 U.S. Senate seats on the ballot nationwide.
In Illinois, voters are deciding the state's U.S. Senate seat, which is an open contest with no incumbent running. The state's governor's office is also on the ballot, with incumbent Democratic Governor JB Pritzker seeking re-election against Republican and other party challengers. The parties on the ballot for governor include the Democratic, Green, Independent, and Republican parties. Every U.S. House seat in the state is also being decided, alongside various state and local offices that differ by county.
While Illinois does not have a governor's race among the ten specific battlegrounds highlighted for national attention, the outcome in the Prairie State contributes to the broader picture of gubernatorial control. 36 governorships are up for election this year. Heading into the day, Republicans hold 26 governor's offices and Democrats hold 24. Democrats need a net gain of two governorships to achieve a nationwide majority, a position Republicans have held since 2010. Nineteen of the races do not feature an incumbent, with 15 governors term-limited and three others choosing not to run.
The Associated Press and PBS NewsHour have identified ten specific governor races as key battlegrounds: Georgia, Nevada, Ohio, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Kansas, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Vermont. In Georgia, Republican health care executive Rick Jackson faces Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in a race to succeed Brian Kemp. In Nevada, Republican Governor Joe Lombardo is challenging Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford. These races are part of a larger effort by Democrats to hold or gain control of statehouses, a goal that has not been achieved by their party in two decades.
In Ohio, the governor's race pits Republican Vivek Ramaswamy against Democrat Amy Acton. The Associated Press notes that Ramaswamy's campaign faced backlash over an advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother. In Arizona, Democrats are defending the governorship of Katie Hobbs, a state that President Trump won in 2024. Similarly, in Michigan and Wisconsin, Democrats are defending incumbent offices, while in Kansas, the race is seen as a critical test for Republican strength in a reliably red state. These contests are closely watched as indicators of national trends.
Pennsylvania and New Hampshire represent different strategic challenges for the parties. In Pennsylvania, Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro is defending his seat in a state that Trump carried in 2024. In New Hampshire, Republican Governor Kelly Ayotte faces a challenge in a state where President Kamala Harris won in 2024. Vermont also features a Republican incumbent, Phil Scott, defending his office. The Associated Press describes the election as a referendum on the president's second term, with voters expressing frustration over high prices and an unpopular war with Iran.
Voting in these ten states is part of a broader national effort where more than 57 million people had already voted as of Monday, surpassing early vote totals from four years ago in many closely watched states. The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research polling indicates that 35% of U.S. Adults approve of Trump's job performance, while about 7 in 10 say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Republicans are bracing to lose the House and fighting to hold the Senate, with the Associated Press noting that one or two seats could tip the balance in either chamber.
In Joliet, the local atmosphere reflects this national tension. Residents are not only voting for their local representatives but also considering the implications of the races in states like Georgia and Ohio. The 2026 elections are likely to be the most expensive in history, with Republican committees outspending Democratic committees at the national level, aided by Trump-affiliated groups and Elon Musk. However, at the candidate level, Democrats have outraised their opponents, suggesting a competitive fight for key offices.
The Associated Press highlights that if Democrats win even one chamber of Congress, investigations and possible impeachment proceedings become likely. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who would be the first Black speaker if his party gains the majority, has outlined a 100-day agenda focused on the cost of living and oversight. A strong Democratic night would also boost potential 2028 candidates such as Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzker, and Pete Buttigieg, while potentially complicating the path for Vice President JD Vance.
As polls remain open, the focus in Will County is on the high turnout and the specific choices facing Illinois voters. The Associated Press notes that Republicans tried to beat the typical midterm pattern where a president's party loses seats by using redistricting, but new districts in states like Florida may not vote as drawn. In Joliet, the day is a mix of local civic duty and national significance, with the outcome of the ten governor races potentially shifting the balance of power in statehouses across the country.
