Vote Democratic -- preserve our democracy !!!!

Knock for Sarah and Veronica

Canvassing for Sarah Mertens & Veronica Garcia-Martinez

WHEN:  Sunday, October 18th, 2026 -- Breakfast starting 8:30 am
WHERE:  RSVP for Lake In The Hills location

Please join Sarah Mertens and Veronica Garcia-Martinez as we go door-knocking with these two amazing candidates for our state legislature -- Sarah for State Senate in the 35th district, and Veronica for State Rep in the 70th district.

Yes, it's early, so we'll be starting with breakfast, and we're planning to get lots of door-knocking done before the Bears game starts.

Please RSVP by email to Lynn Mitchell at [email protected].

Visit Sarah at citizensforsarahmertens.com or on Facebook.
Visit Veronica at veronica4il.com or on Facebook.

Huntley Area Democrats October Meeting

All Democrats are cordially invited to the October 2026 meeting of the Huntley Area Democrats, covering both Kane and McHenry Counties.

WHEN:  Wednesday October 28th, 2026 -- 1:00 to 3:00 pm
WHERE:  IBEW Hall - Training Hall - 13300 Illinois Route 47, Huntley

Please join us for our final meeting before the November election.  We'll be talking about poll watching, getting out the vote, and last minute canvassing.

The IBEW Hall is located in front of the Jewel, just south of the Wendy's, and north of the Taco Bell.  You can enter the building either on the west or the east sides.

Donations to the Grafton Food Pantry will be most gratefully accepted.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected].

Halloween GOTV Event with Juliana Stratton

Boos & Ballots!
 Halloween Get-Out-The-Vote Event
with JULIANA STRATTON

Oh my gourd, it's almost Election Day! What could be scarier than not voting?

Join us for a fun, family-friendly Halloween event featuring our Senate Candidate and Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton! Meet local Democratic candidates and get voting information. Don't ghost the vote...put on your costume and join the Party! 

For the future voters:

🍬 Halloween Poll - Get them voting early...on their favorite candy!
🎨 Mini-pumpkin decorating for kids
🎃 Costume fun & photo opportunities

For voters:

🗳️ Meet the candidates and learn about the upcoming election.
🤝 Connect with neighbors and get ready to make your voice heard.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 31st
⏰ Time: 10am- 12pm
📍 Location: Grand Oaks Recreation Center, 1401 W 176, Crystal Lake

Scary things happen when you don't vote.  Don't ghost Democracy!

Blue Wave Meet n Greet with Daniel Biss

Blue Wave Meet n Greet with Daniel Biss

WHEN:  Friday, October 23rd, 2026 -- 6:00 to 7:30 pm
WHERE:  Algonquin address provided upon RSVP

Daniel Biss is our most awesome candidate for the US Congress in the 9th Congressional District, running for the seat being vacated by the retiring Jan Schakowsky.

Join us for a casual in-person meet & greet! It's a great chance to chat with Daniel Biss, hear about his vision, and hang out with fellow supporters in a relaxed setting. As Evanston Mayor, Daniel has ordered police to not cooperate with ICE and created a national playbook for other communities to take on ICE's attacks. In Congress, Daniel pledges to work to lower healthcare costs, pass Medicare for all, and make the rich pay their fair share.

Come grab a drink, ask questions, and get to know the candidate who’s aiming to represent District 9 in Congress.

Please RSVP via Eventbrite here.

Visit Daniel at danielbiss.com or on Facebook.

For more information contact Susan Gibbons at [email protected].

Phone Bank & Bears Watch Party for Karen Battaglia

Phone Bank & Bears Watch Party for Karen Battaglia

WHEN:  Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 -- 5:30 to 9:00 pm
WHERE:  Karen's Campaign Headquarters, 810 Front Street, McHenry

Please join Karen Battaglia, our most awesome candidate for State Senate in the 32nd district, and friends for an enjoyable evening.  Phone banking from 5:30 to 7:00, followed by the Bears kickoff at 7:15.  It's a potluck event, so bring any and all snacks you would like. We will provide some snacks and soda/water.

RSVP beforehand appreciated but not required.  No experience necessary.  Bring your phone, your enthusiasm, and your Democratic values.  Go Bears!

Visit Karen at karenforil32.com or on Facebook.

For more information contact Margaret Lovell at [email protected].

Team Nabeela GOTV Launch

Team Nabeela GOTV (Get Out The Vote) Launch

WHEN:  Saturday, October 17th 2026 -- 2:00 to 5:00 pm
WHERE:  Nabeela's Campaign Office, 1266 West Northwest Highway, Palatine

The most awesome Nabeela Syed is the current State Representative district 51, and is our Democratic candidate for State Senate in the 26th district.

Join Team Nabeela for one of the most exciting canvass launches of the campaign! Meet at our campaign office to talk with volunteers, hear Nabeela talk about the state of the race, and then knock on doors to make sure support turns into votes!

RSVP beforehand appreciated but not required.  Bring your enthusiasm, your Democratic values, and your phone!

Visit Nabeela at nabeelasyed.com or at Facebook.

For more information please contact Claire McCall at [email protected].

No Kings - Vote Early -- Hosted by Indivisible

No Kings - Vote Early -- Protest Rallies hosted by Indivisible

WHEN:  Saturday October 17th, 2026
WHERE:  Three separate locations in McHenry County

Indivisible groups in McHenry and Kane Counties are sponsoring four separate protests on Saturday October 17th, 2026:

• From 9:00 am to 10:30 am on the Fox River bridge in Algonquin (Algonquin Road & South Harrison Street)
  
  
• From 11:00 am to 1:00 pm along State Route 31 at McCullom Lake Road in McHenry, hosted by Indivisible McHenry County
  
  
• From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at the intersection of Illinois Routes 72 and 47, in Pingree Grove, in front of Kelly's Market, hosted by Kane County Rocks The Vote
  
  
• From 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm on the north side of Route 14 (by Binnie's) in Crystal Lake (5380 Northwest Highway), hosted by Indivisible Northwest Illinois Crystal Lake

These are in addition to the two separate "Vote Vote Vote" rallies hosted by local Democrats in Marengo and Harvard:

• On Friday October 16th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm, by the Harmilda The Cow Statue in Harvard (also called Five Points, it's the intersection of Ayer, Division and Diggins Streets)
  
  
• On Saturday October 17th from 10:00 am to noon, at Renwick Park in Marengo (NW corner of Telegraph Street (Route 176) and North Prospect Street - park along the side roads or in the park.)

For more information on nation-wide protests visit nokings.org, indivisible.org, and/or mobilize.us/nokings.

Remember, early voting in McHenry County is now underway at the Election Center, at 410 South Eastwood Drive in Woodstock, and beginning on Monday October 19th will commence at eleven different locations scattered around the county, many of which have ballot dropboxes for vote-by-mail ballots.  Here's the full schedule.

Indivisible writes:  "For more than a year, millions of people have come together to reject the idea that power belongs to kings, billionaires, or politicians who believe they are above the people and the law.  Now, we are taking the next step, turning people power into voter power. Unlike previous No Kings actions, No Kings: Vote Early, is not purely a protest. Instead, on October 17th, it's a day of nonpartisan voter participation: we are bringing our community together to make a plan to vote early and ensuring every eligible voter understands their options for how to vote and has the opportunity to make their voice heard."

Vote Vote Vote Rally Harvard

Vote Vote Vote Rally Harvard

WHEN:  Friday, October 16th, 2026 -- 3:00 to 5:00 pm
WHERE:  Five Points, by Harmilda The Cow, Harvard -- Corner of Ayer, Diggins & Division Streets

Join fellow citizens who are fed up with the Costs, Chaos and Corruption of this administration.  Bring rally signs emphasizing getting out the VOTE by everyone!  See you there!

For more information please contact Pat Lawlor, District 8 Chair, at [email protected].

Vote Vote Vote Rally Marengo

Vote Vote Vote Rally Marengo

WHEN:  Saturday, October 17th, 2026 -- 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
WHERE:  Renwick Park, Marengo -- NW corner of Telegraph Street (Route 176) and North Prospect Street - park along the side roads or in the park.)

Join fellow citizens who are fed up with the Costs, Chaos and Corruption of this administration.  Bring rally signs emphasizing getting out the VOTE by everyone!  See you there!

For more information please contact Pat Lawlor, District 8 Chair, at [email protected].

Our Democratic Candidates

Here's the complete set of Democrats on your November 2026 ballot anywhere in McHenry County.

Pollwatcher Credential Envelope

When you enter the polling place, you sign your credential(s) in the presence of one of the election judges, who then places it in this envelope, and you sign in as a pollwatcher on a line on the envelope.  When you leave you sign out.  You can sign in again, then, without needing a new credential.

ISBE Pollwatcher's Guide

Illinois State Board of Elections - Pollwatcher's Guide - published 2022 - Eight easy pages, very clear and complete.

2026 Primary Polling Places

Here's information on all the polling places in McHenry County, Illinois, for the 2026 General Primary Election, on March 17th, 2026.

McHenry County Precinct Viewer & District Map

Find your precincts and districts fast!

Be a Board Reporter

Board Reporters are our eyes and ears.

Illinois State Legislators - Quick Links

Here's quick links to find your Illinois State Senators and State Representatives and their contacts.

Getting Your Action ID

Here's how to get your logon on the main tool we use for door-knocking.

2026 Election Schedule -- Early Voting Info !

Here are some of the most important dates for the 2026 General Election in McHenry County.

Townships

Here's information about township government and the seventeen townships represented in McHenry County.

ISBE Poll Watcher Training Video

The Illinois State Board of Elections' YouTube site includes this helpful 5-minute video on poll watching.