While this year's midterm elections are attracting a lot of attention on the state and national level, it’s important to remember that perhaps the place where government most affects your life is locally.
The Community News Brief has prepared a short primer of who's up for election this year in McDonough County. The election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3. Early voting is already underway in the lower level of the McDonough County Courthouse, and mail-in ballots can be requested by contacting the McDonough County Clerk’s office at (309) 833-2474.
Individuals can also register to vote online at ova.elections. il.gov or by visiting the Office of Voter Registration, lower level, McDonough County Courthouse.
McDonough County Offices County Clerk
Incumbent Jeremy Benson (R) is running unopposed. Benson was first appointed by the McDonough County Board in December 2024 to fill the vacancy left after longtime clerk Gretchen DeJaynes retired.
County Treasurer
Incumbent Dana Stites Moon (R) is running unopposed. Moon was appointed to the treasurer's position in February 2026 by the County Board to fill the vacancy left when longtime treasurer Angela Graves retired.
Sheriff
Joe Moon, who won the Republican nomination in March's contested primary election, is running unopposed. The current sheriff is Nicholas Petitgout, who was elected to the office in May 2018 and who narrowly lost the primary election to Moon.
Educational Service Region Regional Superintendent of Schools David Demler (R) is running unopposed. He was appointed regional superintendent of schools in April 2026 after the retirement of longtime regional superintendent John Meixner.
McDonough County Board District 1 – Serving the townships of Emmet and Macomb City #1, #2 and #3 Running for a full fouryear term: Allen Henderson (D) is running for the seat he was appointed to fill after Dustin Berg resigned earlier this year, and Michael Kirby (D) is running for the seat he was appointed to fill in December 2024 when Dave Bartlett resigned. Incumbents Larry Aurelio (R, serving since May 1999) and Eric Blakeley (R, serving since December 2022) are running for re-election, and they are challenged by newcomers A.J. Alveshire (D) and Mitchell Markley (R). Voters may vote for up to three.
Running for an unexpired two-year term: Newcomers Tim Frier (D) and Nate Young (R) are running against one another for the lone unexpired two-year term seat. Voters may vote for one.
District 2 – Serving the townships of Blandinsville, Bushnell, Hire, Macomb, Mound, New Salem, Prairie City, Sciota, Walnut Grove and Macomb City #4 and #5 Running for a full fouryear term: Incumbents David Courtelyou (R, serving since December 2002), Clayton Murphy (R, serving since December 2022), Erik W. Chapman (R, serving since December 2020) and Travis Hiel (R, serving since December 2012) are running unopposed for re-election. Voters may vote for four.
District 3 – Serving the townships of Bethel, Chalmers, Colchester, Eldorado, Industry, Lamoine, Scotland, Tennessee and Macomb City #6, #7 and #8 Running for a full four-year term: Newcomer Tiffany Ketchum (D) challenges incumbents Vicky Kipling (R, serving since August 2021), Michael Cox (R, serving since December 2016) and Jarad Royer (R, serving since December 2022). Voters may vote for up to three.
Running for an unexpired two-year term:
Newcomer William A.
Thompson (D) faces Roger E. Ward (R) and Riley Smith (R), who were temporarily appointed to fill the vacancies left by the resignations earlier this year of Terra Litchfield and Jack Lowderman, respectively. Voters may vote for up to two.
Judicial
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois covers Fulton, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough and Warren counties.
Carissa Bryant (R) and Chad M. Long (I) are running against each other to fill the vacancy left by Chief Judge Raymond A.
Cavanaugh following his retirement.
Voters are also being asked to vote 'yes' or 'no' on the retention of current judges David L. Vancil, Jr.
(R) and Andrew J. Doyle (R), who are running unopposed.
