Illinois signature requirements
 (By state) |
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Contents |
Federal offices
U.S. Senate
Established party candidates must file between 5,000 and 10,00 signatures gathered from members of their party. Independent candidates and new party candidates must file 25,000 signatures or signatures equal to 1% of the voters who voted in the last general election, whichever is less. Independent and new party signatures may be collected from any registered voter.[1]
Write-in candidates must file a notarized "Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate" with the election authority or authorities for the jurisdiction(s) in which the candidate intends to run. This is typically the county clerk or board of elections commissioners--forms are not filed with the State Board of Elections. Write-in candidates may participate in the primary or general election.[2]
U.S. House
Established party candidates must file signatures equal to 1/2% (0.5%) of their party's registered voters in the district. Independent candidates must file signatures equal to between 5% and 8% of the voters who voted in the preceding general election in the district. New party candidates must file signatures equal to at least 5% of the voters who voted in the preceding general election in the district--no maximum is imposed. Independent and new party signatures may be collected from any registered voter in the district.[1]
Write-in candidates must file a notarized "Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate" with the election authority or authorities for the jurisdiction(s) in which the candidate intends to run. This is typically the county clerk or board of elections commissioners--forms are not filed with the State Board of Elections. Write-in candidates may participate in the primary or general election.[2]
Note: For the first election following redistricting (most recently 2012), alternative requirements are imposed. Established party candidates must file the signatures of 600 party members. Independent candidates and new party candidates must file 5,000 signatures.[3]
Filing deadlines
2012
Established party candidates had to file with the State Board of Elections between November 28, 2011 and December 5, 2011. Independent and new party candidates had to file with the State Board of Elections between June 18 and June 25, 2012.[2]
Write-in candidates had to file their “Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate” with the appropriate election authorities at least 61 days prior to the election. However, if a candidate qualified for the ballot but was successfully challenged and removed from the ballot, he or she could file as a write-in candidate up to 7 days prior to the election.[2]
State offices
Statewide executive offices
Established party candidates must file between 5,000 and 10,00 signatures gathered from members of their party. Independent candidates and new party candidates must file 25,000 signatures or signatures equal to 1% of the voters who voted in the last general election, whichever is less. Independent and new party signatures may be collected from any registered voter.[1]
Write-in candidates must file a notarized "Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate" with the election authority or authorities for the jurisdiction(s) in which the candidate intends to run. This is typically the county clerk or board of elections commissioners--forms are not filed with the State Board of Elections. Write-in candidates may participate in the primary or general election.[2]
State legislature
Established party candidates for the Illinois State Senate must file signatures equal to between 1,000 and 3000 of their party's registered voters in the district. Established party candidates for the Illinois House of Representatives must file signatures equal to between 500 and 1,500 of their party's registered voters in the district.[2]
Independent candidates must file signatures equal to between 5% and 8% of the voters who voted in the preceding general election in the district. New party candidates must file signatures equal to at least 5% of the voters who voted in the preceding general election in the district--no maximum is imposed. Independent and new party signatures may be collected from any registered voter in the district.[1]
Write-in candidates must file a notarized "Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate" with the election authority or authorities for the jurisdiction(s) in which the candidate intends to run. This is typically the county clerk or board of elections commissioners--forms are not filed with the State Board of Elections. Write-in candidates may participate in the primary or general election.[2]
Note: For the first election following redistricting (most recently 2012), alternative requirements are imposed for independent and new party candidates. Independent candidates and new party candidates for State Senate must file 3,000 signatures. Independent candidates and new party candidates for state House must file 1,500 signatures.[4]
Filing deadlines
2012
Established party candidates had to file with the State Board of Elections between November 28, 2011 and December 5, 2011. Independent and new party candidates had to file with the State Board of Elections between June 18 and June 25, 2012.[2]
Write-in candidates had to file their “Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate” with the appropriate election authorities at least 61 days prior to the election. However, if a candidate qualified for the ballot but was successfully challenged and removed from the ballot, he or she could file as a write-in candidate up to 7 days prior to the election.[2]
Ballot measures
The signature requirement for constitutional amendments is 8% of the total votes cast for Governor in the last election.
| Year | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 298,399 |
| 2012 | 298,399 |
| 2010 | 278,934 |
| 2008 | 279,039 |
See law: Illinois Constitution, Article XIV, Section 3
Basis for calculation
- 3,729,989 votes were cast for governor in the 2010 election.[5]
Signature deadlines
Under Illinois law, the deadline to submit a citizen initiated constitutional amendments is 6 months before the general election.[6]
2012
The 2012 deadline to submit a constitutional amendment to the Illinois ballot was May 7, 2012.[6]
See also
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 U.S. Congress elections
- Signature requirements and deadlines for 2012 state legislative elections
- Laws governing the initiative process in Illinois
- History of Initiative & Referendum in Illinois
External links
- Illinois State Board of Elections, Candidate's Guide 2012
- Illinois State Board of Elections, Candidate's Guide 2010
- Initiative and Referendum Institute, "Illinois"
- Illinois State Board of Elections
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Illinois State Board of Elections, Candidate's Guide 2010, July 20, 2009
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Illinois State Board of Elections, Candidate's Guide 2012, April 5, 2012
- ↑ Illinois Compiled Statutes, 10 ILCS 5/7-10; 10 ILCS 5/10-2 & 10 ILCS 5/10-3, accessed May 9, 2012
- ↑ Illinois Compiled Statutes, 10 ILCS 5/10-2 & 10 ILCS 5/10-3, accessed May 9, 2012
- ↑ Illinois Official Election Results
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 [Confirmed with IL State Board of Elections via phone on January 18, 2011]
