How I VoteNONPARTISAN
Illinois 2026 › Secretary of State

Illinois Secretary of State race: who’s running on Nov. 3, 2026

2 candidates · Every summary links to its public source · Updated Oct 18, 2026

Summaries were compiled with AI assistance from public sources and are not independently verified. They may contain errors. Check the linked source.
Which candidate matches your views?
Answer two quick questions about this office and see a match score in about a minute.
Compare on my issues →
What the office does

The Secretary of State runs driver and vehicle services, keeps official state records, registers businesses, and oversees the state library and library grants.

The candidates

Alexi Giannoulias

Democratic · Incumbent

Illinois Secretary of State since 2023; previously served as Illinois Treasurer (2007-2011) and on the Chicago Public Library Board.

Diane M. Harris

Republican

Joliet Junior College trustee and Joliet Public Library trustee who describes herself as an entrepreneur and substitute teacher; retired from ComEd.

Where they stand on this office’s decisions

Voter registration at the DMV

1 = Automatic (you can opt out)5 = Only if you opt in
Giannoulias1/5

Backed a 2022 proposal to automatically register eligible DMV customers and mail them a prepaid postcard to decline, and said registration should be opt-out rather than opt-in.

Sources: alexiforus.com · capitolnewsillinois.com
Harris5/5

Said DMV applicants should be able to say yes or no to registering to vote rather than being signed up automatically.

Source: shawlocal.com

Removing library books

1 = State limits on book bans5 = Leave it to local library boards
Giannoulias1/5

Initiated HB 2789, the 2023 law tying state library grants to policies against book bans, and testified for it before the U.S. Senate.

Sources: news.wttw.com · cbsnews.com
Harrisnot placed on the scale

In a 2026 Shaw Local questionnaire on library grants, she proposed a guaranteed minimum grant per public library and said Illinois library statutes and basic criteria would still apply; book bans not addressed.

Source: shawlocal.com

Priorities and record

Alexi Giannoulias

Diane M. Harris

  • Speed up DMV service with walk-in lines for seniors and veterans and drive-up windows and kiosks in underserved areas.
    Sources: news.wttw.com · harrisforsos.com · shawlocal.com
  • Review the office's roughly $885 million budget for waste and fraud and use savings to lower fees for seniors and veterans.
    Sources: news.wttw.com · harrisforsos.com
  • Work with county clerks and election boards to remove duplicate registrations and make DMV voter registration opt-in.
    Sources: shawlocal.com · harrisforsos.com
  • Proposes expanding self-service DMV kiosks from 15 locations to all 102 counties, including libraries, grocery stores, and community colleges.
    Sources: harrisforsos.com · shawlocal.com

Quick answers

When is the election?

Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting is open now. Your county election office has locations and hours.

Who votes in this race?

Every registered voter in Illinois. Enter your ZIP code at howivote.org to see all the races on your ballot.

Does How I Vote endorse anyone?

No. It never recommends a candidate and never guesses a position from party. Where no public position exists, it says so.

Where do these summaries come from?

Candidates’ own websites, votes, questionnaires, debates and news coverage, all linked. Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.

Other races on Illinois ballots

U.S. SenateU.S. House IL-1U.S. House IL-2U.S. House IL-3U.S. House IL-4U.S. House IL-5U.S. House IL-6U.S. House IL-7U.S. House IL-8U.S. House IL-9U.S. House IL-10U.S. House IL-11U.S. House IL-12U.S. House IL-13U.S. House IL-14U.S. House IL-15U.S. House IL-16U.S. House IL-17GovernorAttorney GeneralSecretary of StateComptrollerTreasurer