Election 2016: The Patch Voter Guide

Take a look at the races and referenda you the voters will decide Nov. 8:

Mark Kirk vs. Tammy Duckworth: U.S. Senate Race's High Stakes Have Kept Campaigns in High Gear

Political observers knew the race to fill the Illinois U.S. Senate seat up for election this year would be contentious, given how important it is to both parties. But the battle between incumbent Republican Sen. Mark Kirk and his challenger, Rep. Tammy Duckworth, has almost beeen as fiery and brutal as the presidential race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Munger vs. Mendoza: A Big-Money Fight for Comptroller as Illinois Faces Crushing Debt and Unpaid Bills

Leslie Munger, 60, of Lincolnshire, and Susana Mendoza, 44, of Chicago, are angling for your votes in a special election for comptroller. Munger, a Republican, was appointed to the post by the governor in January 2015 after Topinka's death. Mendoza, twice elected to the Chicago city clerk's post, served six terms in the General Assembly.

11th Congressional District: Incumbent Bill Foster Takes On Challenger Tonia Khouri

Incumbent Bill Foster will try to hold onto his 11th District United States Congressional seat in Illinois for a second term against Republican challenger Tonia Khouri.

6th Congressional District: Attorney Taking on 5-Term Incumbent

Republican Rep. Peter Roskam will try to hold onto his seat for a sixth term against Democratic challenger Amanda Howland.

Pierog Taking on Oberweis in Race for 25th District of State Senate

The race for State Senator of Illinois’ 25th District comes down to a battle between incumbent Republican Jim Oberweis and Democrat Corinne Pierog.

Naperville Referenda: Combining Roadway Services, Abolishing Township Government

There will be two proposals on the ballot for Naperville and Naperville Township residents.

Streamline System to Battle Mosquitoes? DuPage County Voters Will Weigh In

DuPage County voters will get to weigh in on whether they want to streamline and consolidate efforts to combat mosquitoes.

Breaking Down District 181's $53 Million Proposal to Build a New School: What You Need to Know

For not the first, but the second time, Hinsdale School District 181 is asking voters to say ‘yes’ to a referendum that would allow the district to sell $53 million in bonds to fund the building of a new middle school.

District 102 Asks La Grange Community For $3 Million to Ease Financial Strain

News that La Grange School District 102 has struggled financially in the recent past isn’t new information, but this fall the district decided to take its case to its community with a referendum that will show up on ballots next week.

Western Springs Asks Voters For $12 Million In Road Improvements: What You Need to Know

Residents of Western Springs will not only see governmental candidates on their ballots next week — they’ll also be presented with a referendum asking them to approve $12 million worth of road improvement projects.

Burr Ridge Referendum Asks Voters to Approve $520,000 For Infrastructure Maintenance

Burr Ridge residents will vote on whether or not to raise the village’s corporate levy by $520,000, which is the same amount that taxpayers currently put forth every year for the bonds that brought Lake Michigan water to Burr Ridge, the Chicago Tribune reported. The money would go toward maintaining village roads and improving infrastructure in the area.

Downers Grove Asks Residents How to Pay for $3.9 Million Stormwater Management System

Downers Grove has been adamant for months about educating its community about stormwater management and its implications, and now it’s time to take the issue to the polls. Residents will find a three-part referendum on their ballots next Tuesday asking for input on how the village should fund its stormwater management system and allocate the $3.9 million it’s budgeted for next year’s costs.

Cook County Voters To Decide If Recorder, Clerk's Offices Should be Merged

Cook County voters will have the rare opportunity to decide if an entire branch of county government should be eliminated in a move that supporters claim would save taxpayers millions of dollars over the next decade.

Transportation Funding at Center of Amendment on Ballot in Illinois

Voters across Illinois will decide if tax money related to transportation will be earmarked for transportation needs.

Kim Foxx vs. Christopher Pfannkuche: State's Attorney Candidates Want to Reform Cook County Office

In some respects, voters made their statement concerning the embattled Cook County State's Attorney's Office when they overwhelmingly supported Kim Foxx over two-term incumbent Anita Alvarez in the March Democratic primary. The message from Cook County voters was clear: They want change.

Deputy Medical Examiner Looks to Oust Incumbent Kane County Coroner

Two current Kane County coroners are going head-to-head next month for the leading role in local autopsies and death investigations.

Over 60 Cook County Judges Up for Retention, Make Your Vote Count Nov. 8

Good judges matter and it’s important that voters don’t skip that part of the ballot in the upcoming general election. Judges’ terms are longer and they wield incredible power. Participants in early voting, which runs from Oct. 24 to Nov. 7, as well as Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 8, will be voting for judicial candidates to fill vacancies and judges up for retention.

Problem at the Polls? Here’s Who to Call

Who are you going to call if you spot a problem at your polling place? Well, it depends where your polling place is. But don’t worry, we have you covered here in Chicago and the surrounding area.