Illinois Governor Election 2026: Live Results
The Illinois Governor Election 2026 is on November 3, 2026. J.B. Pritzker (Democrat, incumbent) faces Republican Darren Bailey. The seat is currently held by Democrats. VoteTide rates the race Safe D. Prediction markets give J.B. Pritzker a 98% chance of winning. The last polls in Illinois close at 8 p.m. Eastern.
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Updated Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:26:44 GMT
Results
No votes have been reported yet. Polls close at 8 p.m. Eastern.
Candidates
- J.B. Pritzker (Democrat, incumbent)
- Darren Bailey (Republican)
Odds
- Kalshi: Democrat 97%, Republican 3%
- Polymarket: Democrat 98%, Republican 2%
Rating: Safe D
What's at stake
For the country
- Governors don't vote in Congress, but they run elections, carry out federal programs like Medicaid, and often lead their party nationally.
- A Republican win would be a flip from Democratic control.
For Illinois
- The governor signs or vetoes state laws, writes the state budget, runs state agencies, appoints officials and judges in many states, and in many states shapes how district maps are drawn.
- For Illinois, the result decides whether the governor's party matches the legislature's, which shapes what can pass in the next four years.
- J.B. Pritzker is the incumbent. Incumbents bring seniority, name recognition and committee roles; challengers argue for a fresh start.
J.B. Pritzker
- Supporters say a Democratic governor would invest in public schools and expand health coverage.
- They argue for protecting abortion access at the state level and raising wages.
Darren Bailey
- Supporters say a Republican governor would cut state income taxes and limit state spending.
- They argue for school choice, public-safety funding and fewer business regulations.
Arguments are summarised at party level from each side's stated priorities, not quotes from the candidates.
Frequently asked questions
Who is running in the Illinois Governor Election 2026?
J.B. Pritzker (D, incumbent), Darren Bailey (R).
Who is favored to win the Illinois governor race?
Prediction markets give J.B. Pritzker a 98% chance. VoteTide's rating is Safe D.
When do polls close in Illinois?
On November 3, 2026, the last polls in Illinois close at 8 p.m. Eastern. The first results usually appear within an hour.
Where do these Illinois results come from?
Vote counts come from official election sources as they are published (and from the AP when configured). Odds come from Kalshi and Polymarket, and polls from public polling tables. The page refreshes every minute.
Illinois at a glance
- 2024 presidential result: Harris +10.9
- Electoral votes: 19
- U.S. House seats: 17