Question 1

Who should I vote for in Illinois in 2026?

Accepted Answer

Vote for the candidate with the strongest record. This page scores 23 Illinois races for U.S. Senate, U.S. House and statewide office on the Ballot Standard, 15 qualities of character, qualifications and performance from public records and established reporting, and names the candidate who scores highest in each. Evidence checked October 9, 2026.

Question 2

Who should I vote for in Illinois Senate?

Accepted Answer

Don Tracy has the strongest record in the Illinois U.S. Senate race. Don Tracy scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Juliana Stratton at 60, as of October 9, 2026. Don Tracy's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Juliana Stratton's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Whitfield Harrington Jr. (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 3

Who should I vote for in Illinois Governor?

Accepted Answer

JB Pritzker has the strongest record in the Illinois governor's race. JB Pritzker scores 61 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Darren Bailey at 59 and Collin Corbett at 56, as of October 9, 2026. JB Pritzker's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Darren Bailey's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 4

Who should I vote for in Illinois Attorney General?

Accepted Answer

Kwame Raoul has the strongest record in the Illinois attorney general race. Kwame Raoul scores 62 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Bob Fioretti at 55, as of October 9, 2026. Kwame Raoul's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Bob Fioretti's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 5

Who should I vote for in Illinois Secretary of State?

Accepted Answer

Alexi Giannoulias has the strongest record in the Illinois secretary of state race. Alexi Giannoulias scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Diane Harris at 61, as of October 9, 2026. Alexi Giannoulias's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Diane Harris's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 6

Who should I vote for in Illinois Comptroller?

Accepted Answer

Margaret Croke has the strongest record in the Illinois comptroller race. Margaret Croke scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Bryan Drew at 61, as of October 9, 2026. Margaret Croke's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Bryan Drew's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 7

Who should I vote for in Illinois Treasurer?

Accepted Answer

Mike Frerichs has the strongest record in the Illinois treasurer race. Mike Frerichs scores 67 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Mike Frerichs's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Max Solomon (5 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 8

Who should I vote for in IL-01?

Accepted Answer

Jonathan Jackson has the strongest record in Illinois's 1st Congressional District. Jonathan Jackson scores 57 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Jonathan Jackson's highest marks are relevant experience and courage. Christian Maxwell (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 9

Who should I vote for in IL-02?

Accepted Answer

Donna Miller has the strongest record in Illinois's 2nd Congressional District. Donna Miller scores 56 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Donna Miller's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Mike Noack (2 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 10

Who should I vote for in IL-03?

Accepted Answer

Delia Ramirez has the strongest record in Illinois's 3rd Congressional District. Delia Ramirez scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Delia Ramirez's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Angel Oakley (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 11

Who should I vote for in IL-04?

Accepted Answer

Chris Getty has the strongest record in Illinois's 4th Congressional District. Chris Getty scores 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Chris Getty's highest marks are roots in the constituency and relevant experience. Lupe Castillo (4 of 15 criteria), Patty Garcia (7 of 15 criteria) and Ed Hershey (3 of 15 criteria) have too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 12

Who should I vote for in IL-05?

Accepted Answer

Mike Quigley has the strongest record in Illinois's 5th Congressional District. Mike Quigley scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Mike Quigley's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Tommy Hanson (4 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 13

Who should I vote for in IL-06?

Accepted Answer

Sean Casten has the strongest record in Illinois's 6th Congressional District. Sean Casten scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Sean Casten's highest marks are relevant experience and accountability. Niki Conforti (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 14

Who should I vote for in IL-07?

Accepted Answer

La Shawn Ford has the strongest record in Illinois's 7th Congressional District. La Shawn Ford scores 65 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. La Shawn Ford's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Chad Koppie (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 15

Who should I vote for in IL-08?

Accepted Answer

Melissa Bean has the strongest record in Illinois's 8th Congressional District. Melissa Bean scores 58 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Melissa Bean's highest marks are relevant experience and roots in the constituency. Jennifer Davis (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 16

Who should I vote for in IL-09?

Accepted Answer

Daniel Biss has the strongest record in Illinois's 9th Congressional District. Daniel Biss scores 64 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Daniel Biss's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. John Elleson (5 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 17

Who should I vote for in IL-10?

Accepted Answer

Brad Schneider has the strongest record in Illinois's 10th Congressional District. Brad Schneider scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Brad Schneider's highest marks are relevant experience and coalition building. Carl Lambrecht (1 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 18

Who should I vote for in IL-11?

Accepted Answer

Bill Foster has the strongest record in Illinois's 11th Congressional District. Bill Foster scores 69 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Jeff Walter at 53, as of October 9, 2026. Bill Foster's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Jeff Walter's highest marks are relevant experience. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 19

Who should I vote for in IL-12?

Accepted Answer

Mike Bost has the strongest record in Illinois's 12th Congressional District. Mike Bost scores 67 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Julie Fortier at 59, as of October 9, 2026. Mike Bost's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Julie Fortier's highest marks are accountability and communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 20

Who should I vote for in IL-13?

Accepted Answer

Nikki Budzinski has the strongest record in Illinois's 13th Congressional District. Nikki Budzinski scores 63 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Jeff Wilson at 50, as of October 9, 2026. Nikki Budzinski's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Jeff Wilson's highest marks are relevant experience. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 21

Who should I vote for in IL-14?

Accepted Answer

Lauren Underwood has the strongest record in Illinois's 14th Congressional District. Lauren Underwood scores 71 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Jim Marter at 58, as of October 9, 2026. Lauren Underwood's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Jim Marter's highest marks are relevant experience and communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 22

Who should I vote for in IL-15?

Accepted Answer

Mary Miller has the strongest record in Illinois's 15th Congressional District. Mary Miller scores 52 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Mary Miller's highest marks are relevant experience and courage. Jennifer Todd (6 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 23

Who should I vote for in IL-16?

Accepted Answer

Darin LaHood has the strongest record in Illinois's 16th Congressional District. Darin LaHood scores 71 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, as of October 9, 2026. Darin LaHood's highest marks are relevant experience and command of the job. Paul Nolley (7 of 15 criteria) has too little public record to score. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Question 24

Who should I vote for in IL-17?

Accepted Answer

Eric Sorensen has the strongest record in Illinois's 17th Congressional District. Eric Sorensen scores 66 out of 100 on the Ballot Standard, ahead of Dillan Vancil at 53, as of October 9, 2026. Eric Sorensen's highest marks are relevant experience and coalition building. Dillan Vancil's highest marks are relevant experience and communication. Every score comes from public records on character, qualifications and performance, the same way for every party.

Who should I vote for in Illinois?

U.S. Senate, Illinois

Governor of Illinois

Attorney General of Illinois

Secretary of State of Illinois

Comptroller of Illinois

Treasurer of Illinois

U.S. House, Illinois 1st Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 2nd Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 3rd Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 4th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 5th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 6th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 7th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 8th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 9th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 10th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 11th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 12th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 13th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 14th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 15th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 16th Congressional District

U.S. House, Illinois 17th Congressional District