Calendar of Events

Please join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 21st, 2026, at the "Conference Center" at McHenry County College!

It's the regular monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of McHenry County.  RSVP'ing beforehand is a MUST. 

Join us! Community is how we will persevere and triumph.

Agenda

• 7:00 p.m. — Doors open 
• 7:15 p.m. — Meeting begins
• Introductions
  
  • Candidate Introductions
• Chair's Message
• Reports - Officers/Committees/Districts
  • Events
  • Communications 
  • Tech Chair
  • District Chair Reports
• Announcements -
  • The purpose is to announce events, presentations, and items of interest to Democrats  If you have an idea for a speaker or broader discussion, you must request an addition to the agenda a week before the meeting. Please limit your announcements to 2 minutes.
• 8:30 p.m. — Adjourn

Invite a friend to attend the meeting! Introduce a friend or neighbor to grassroots politics and help us grow the Party.

McHenry County College is located on Route 14, halfway between Woodstock and Crystal Lake. 

Turn in at the traffic light, then turn right and right again to park near the entrance for Building A, the very first building you come to.  Enter the building, walk straight ahead, and you'll find the Conference Center on the left, opposite the library. There's no stairs and everything is fully ADA-compliant.  

Come early and chat, we're always there by 6:30.  Here's a map of MCC.  (If you accidentally parked on the south side, by the Luecht Auditorium or the cafeteria, no matter, just walk around to the left past the gym, up the stairs at the end, turn right and we're there.)

Map of MCC

DAY OF ACTION FOR SARAH MERTENS & PAT SHEA

WHEN:  Thursday, October 22nd, 2026 -- Meeting at 1:00 pm
WHERE:  Meet at Ethereal, 140 Cass Street, just off Woodstock Square

Please join the most awesome Sarah Mertens, our Democratic candidate for State Senate in the 35th district, and Pat Shea, our Democratic candidate for county board in district 7, as we knock doors to get out the vote.  No experience necessary, just bring your phone and your Democratic ideals.  Both canvassers and drivers needed.

Visit Sarah at citizensforsarahmertens.com or on Facebook.
Visit Pat at citizensforpatshea.com or on Linked-In.

RSVP appreciated.  For more information please contact Deb Firak, our Democratic chair for county board district 7, at [email protected].

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].

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 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].

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].

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!

ELECTION DAY -- 2026 General Election

Tuesday November 3rd, 2026 is Election Day, and there's nothing more important than (a) making sure you've voted, and (b) helping to get other Democrats to the polls.

Early voting is now underway at a dozen sites in McHenry County, and during this early voting period, voters registered in McHenry County can vote at any of the sites.  Some early-voting sites will even be open on Saturday Oct. 31st and Sunday Nov. 1st.  Here's the full set of early-voting locations with hours and whether they have ballot dropboxes.

Polls open at 6:00 am and close at 7:00 pm on Election Day, and if you're voting then, you have two choices:  vote at the polling place for your specific precinct, or vote at the McHenry County Election Center at 410 South Eastwood Drive in Woodstock.  (On Election Day, the Election Center is the only "universal" site.)  Here's the full set of Election Day polling places together with the list of precincts voting at each.

Here's the link for obtaining your sample ballot and looking up your polling place.

If you have a vote-by-mail ballot, please either (a) vote it immediately or (b) bring it to the polling place (either to an early site or on Election Day, and preferably unmarked), surrender it and vote normally in-person. 

If you do plan to vote your vote-by-mail ballot, we highly recommend depositing it in one of the ballot dropboxes conveniently located around the county, soonest, rather than depositing it in the US Mail.  (Better safe than sorry.)  In either case, we highly recommend tracking your vote-by-mail ballot, to make sure it's been received and counted.  

Here's the link to check whether you're registered to vote.  If you're eligible but not registered, or not sure you're registered, note that Illinois has "same-day" registration.  Bring your Illinois drivers license or Illinois state ID card, together with at least one other form of ID, to the polling place (preferably to an early site but you can do this on Election Day also), register to vote, and then vote, in one operation.

For more information please check out our Vote page at mchenrydems.org/vote or contact us at [email protected] or 847-906-1559.

DISTRICT 9 DEMOCRATIC ROUNDTABLE
Crafted especially for Democratic Voters in Coral, Riley & Grafton Townships

WHEN:  Wednesday November 11th, 2026 -- 6:30 to 8:00 pm
WHERE:  Pub 47, Back Room (to the right), 10400 Illinois Route 47, Huntley

Round tables are held at local pubs, offering yummy drinks and food for purchase, lively conversation, and a room full of like minded Democrats. These gatherings are packed with invigorating discussions and a great chance to connect. Join us as we work together and enjoy sharing ideas for getting Democrats elected all the way down the ballot!

RSVP not necessary but always appreciated.

Info or to get involved?  Contact Lynn Mitchell at [email protected].

Please join us at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, November 18th, 2026, at the "Conference Center" at McHenry County College!

It's the regular monthly meeting of the Democratic Party of McHenry County.  RSVP'ing beforehand is a MUST. 

Join us! Community is how we will persevere and triumph.

Agenda

• 7:00 p.m. — Doors open 
• 7:15 p.m. — Meeting begins
• Introductions
  
  • Candidate Introductions
• Chair's Message
• Reports - Officers/Committees/Districts
  • Events
  • Communications 
  • Tech Chair
  • District Chair Reports
• Announcements -
  • The purpose is to announce events, presentations, and items of interest to Democrats  If you have an idea for a speaker or broader discussion, you must request an addition to the agenda a week before the meeting. Please limit your announcements to 2 minutes.
• 8:30 p.m. — Adjourn

Invite a friend to attend the meeting! Introduce a friend or neighbor to grassroots politics and help us grow the Party.

McHenry County College is located on Route 14, halfway between Woodstock and Crystal Lake. 

Turn in at the traffic light, then turn right and right again to park near the entrance for Building A, the very first building you come to.  Enter the building, walk straight ahead, and you'll find the Conference Center on the left, opposite the library. There's no stairs and everything is fully ADA-compliant.  

Come early and chat, we're always there by 6:30.  Here's a map of MCC.  (If you accidentally parked on the south side, by the Luecht Auditorium or the cafeteria, no matter, just walk around to the left past the gym, up the stairs at the end, turn right and we're there.)

Map of MCC