OGLE COUNTY — During the General Election Nov. 5, Ogle County saw a 76.6 percent voter turnout with 25,933 ballots cast out of 33,870 total voters. 

In the unofficial election results, the county showed 16,553 ballots cast on election day (63.8 percent), 6,774 ballots cast in early voting (26.1 percent) and 2,606 vote by mail ballots cast (10 percent). 

In the race for United States president and vice president, Donald Trump and JD Vance (R) defeated Kamala Harris and Tim Walz (D) with 277 electoral votes to 224. Trump/Vance won the Ogle County vote with 64 percent. Harris carried the state of Illinois with 53.4 percent. 

Locally in the Ogle County Board District 3 race, incumbent Austin Gillis (R-Rochelle) defeated Lloyd Droege (D-Rochelle) with 57.48 percent of the vote.  

In the state representative race in the 74th District, incumbent Bradley Fritts (R-Dixon) defeated David Simpson (R-Shabbona) with 31,350 votes to 16,934. Fritts secured 67.23 percent of the vote in Ogle County. 

“I am incredibly proud of the campaign my team has run this year,” Fritts said in a press release. “The message was clear and focused: unity and positive change for all members of our community. We didn’t stoop to negative, divisive political rhetoric, but instead focused on what we can improve when working together. Serving the people of the 74th has been the honor of a lifetime. I look forward to continuing my work to make our community a better place for families, businesses, and the hard-working men and women who make our state great.” 

There were three state advisory questions decided in the General Election. A ballot measure to subject candidates to civil penalties if they attempt to interfere with an election passed with 88.8 percent. 87.41 percent of Ogle County voters voted yes for that. 

A ballot measure to create an additional three-percent tax on income greater than $1 million to dedicate to property tax relief passed with 60.3 percent. 52.11 percent of Ogle County voters voted yes for that. 

The final ballot measure to see in vitro fertilization covered by health insurance plans that provide pregnancy benefits passed with 72.4 percent statewide. 63.07 percent of Ogle County voters voted yes for that. 

Ogle County saw a number of candidates running unopposed in the Nov. 5 election, including State’s Attorney Mike Rock (R), Circuit Clerk Kim Stahl (R), and Coroner Christie Cox (R). Republican Ogle County Board members running unopposed uncluded Ben Youman (District 1, Davis Junction), Aaron Mudge (District 2, Rochelle), Jackie Ramsey (District 4, Rochelle), Dan Janes (District 5, Stillman Valley), Ryan Reeverts (District 6, Byron), Brian K. Daws (District 7, Mt. Morris) and Susie Corbitt (District 8, Polo). 

Incumbent U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood (R-Peoria) ran unopposed in the 16th district. Li Arellano Jr. (R-Dixon) ran unopposed for state senator in the 37th District. Incumbent Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) ran unopposed for state representative in the 89th District. 

"Voters in Northwest Illinois continue to send a strong message in favor of small government and conservative values,” McCombie said in a press release. “I am grateful for their support and proud to represent the 89th District and our shared values. Thank you to the voters for your trust."

The Ogle County Clerk’s Office saw record-setting days in early voting, including 522 voters on Nov. 4. On Nov. 1, it saw 388 voters, which was a record at the time for voters in an eight-hour period.