Illinois judicial elections
Judicial elections in Illinois occur during even-numbered years.[1] Supreme, appellate, and circuit court judges in Illinois participate in partisan elections.[2] At the end of their term, judges have the option to run in a retention election.[3]
Illinois is one of eight states that use partisan elections to initially select judges and then use retention elections to determine whether judges should remain on the bench. To read more about how states use judicial elections to select judges across the country, click here.
| Supreme Court | Appellate Court | Circuit Court |
|---|---|---|
| Partisan election and retention - 10 year terms | Partisan election and retention - 10 year terms | Partisan election and retention - Six-year terms |
Elections
- Illinois Supreme Court elections, 2024
- Illinois intermediate appellate court elections, 2024
- Illinois Supreme Court elections, 2022
- Illinois intermediate appellate court elections, 2022
- Illinois Supreme Court elections, 2020
- Illinois intermediate appellate court elections, 2020
- Illinois Supreme Court elections, 2018
- Illinois intermediate appellate court elections, 2018
- Illinois local trial court judicial elections, 2018
- Illinois judicial elections, 2016
- Illinois judicial elections, 2014
- Illinois judicial elections, 2012
- Illinois judicial elections, 2010
- Illinois Supreme Court elections, 2004-2012
Election rules
Primary election
The general primary occurs on the third Tuesday in March.[4] Unlike many states with contested judicial elections, races in Illinois are regularly contested, often with several candidates running for a seat. The Illinois primary is closed, meaning that voters must declare which major political party's ballot they wish to vote on.[5]
The candidate that wins the most votes in the primary advances to the general election to compete against the candidate from the other party.[4] If only one party has candidates in a primary race, that winner will continue on to run unopposed in the general election.[6] Uncontested primary candidates are not included on the primary ballot but instead automatically advance to the general election.[4][7]
General election
The general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November.[4]
Retention election
At the expiration of their term, judges may run for retention. Judges seeking retention are required to file a declaration of candidacy to succeed themselves with the secretary of state at least six months prior to the general election. The names of judges seeking retention are then given to voters on a special judicial ballot—without party designation and without an opposing candidate—featuring the sole question of whether he or she should be retained for another term in office.[3] Retention elections are held along with the general elections in the specific district or circuit where the judge is seeking retention. To be retained, judges must receive three-fifths of the vote.[8]
See also
External links
- IllinoisJudges.net
- The Illinois State Board of Elections
- The Illinois General Assembly, "Election Code 10 ILCS 5"
Footnotes
- ↑ Illinois General Assembly, "Election Code 10 ILCS 5," accessed March 7, 2014
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Illinois," accessed March 10, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Illinois Courts, "About the Courts in Illinois," accessed March 10, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Illinois State Board of Elections, "Voting on Election Day," accessed January 25, 2016
- ↑ Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago, "2014 Primary: Frequently Asked Questions," accessed March 12, 2014
- ↑ The News-Gazette, "John Roska: Judicial elections explained," March 9, 2014
- ↑ The Chicago Tribune, "Unopposed Candidates Find Waiting The Primary Concern," February 3, 1992, accessed March 7, 2014
- ↑ Illinois Constitution, Article VI, Section 12 (d)
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Federal courts:
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Central District of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Illinois • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Central District of Illinois, Northern District of Illinois, Southern District of Illinois
State courts:
Illinois Supreme Court • Illinois Appellate Court • Illinois Circuit Court
State resources:
Courts in Illinois • Illinois judicial elections • Judicial selection in Illinois
