SB3811 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 19633 SPS 33082 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3811

Introduced 2/6/2026, by Sen. Sally J. Turner

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

10 ILCS 5/7-61	from Ch. 46, par. 7-61
10 ILCS 5/10-3	from Ch. 46, par. 10-3
10 ILCS 5/17-16.1	from Ch. 46, par. 17-16.1
60 ILCS 1/45-50

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who has participated in the caucus of another established political party or a new political party or who has signed a petition of another established political party, a new political party, or an independent candidate is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of the political party holding the caucus. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Township Code. Provides that a person shall not be able to participate or vote at any township or multi-township caucus if the person participated in the caucus of another established political party or a new political party or signed a petition for a candidate of another established political party, a new political party, or an independent candidate at anytime during the 12 months before the caucus.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning elections.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Election Code is amended by changing Sections 7-61, 10-3, and 17-16.1 as follows:

(10 ILCS 5/7-61) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-61)

Sec. 7-61. Whenever a special election is necessary, the provisions of this Article are applicable to the nomination of candidates to be voted for at such special election.

In cases where a primary election is required, the officer or board or commission whose duty it is under the provisions of this Code relating to general elections to call an election shall fix a date for the primary for the nomination of candidates to be voted for at such special election. Notice of such primary shall be given at least 15 days prior to the maximum time provided for the filing of petitions for such a primary as provided in Section 7-12.

Any vacancy in nomination under the provisions of this Article 7 occurring on or after the primary and prior to certification of candidates by the certifying board or officer must be filled prior to the date of certification. Any vacancy in nomination occurring after certification but prior to 15 days before the general election shall be filled within 8 days after the event creating the vacancy. The resolution filling the vacancy shall be sent by U. S. mail or personal delivery to the certifying officer or board within 3 days of the action by which the vacancy was filled; provided, if such resolution is sent by mail and the U. S. postmark on the envelope containing such resolution is dated prior to the expiration of such 3-day limit, the resolution shall be deemed filed within such 3-day limit. Failure to so transmit the resolution within the time specified in this Section shall authorize the certifying officer or board to certify the original candidate. Vacancies shall be filled by the officers of a local municipal or township political party as specified in subsection (h) of Section 7-8, other than a statewide political party, that is established only within a municipality or township and the managing committee (or legislative committee in case of a candidate for State Senator or representative committee in the case of a candidate for State Representative in the General Assembly or State central committee in the case of a candidate for statewide office, including, but not limited to, the office of United States Senator) of the respective political party for the territorial area in which such vacancy occurs.

The resolution to fill a vacancy in nomination shall be duly acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgments of deeds and shall include, upon its face, the following information:

(a) the name of the original nominee and the office vacated;

(b) the date on which the vacancy occurred;

(c) the name and address of the nominee selected to fill the vacancy and the date of selection.

The resolution to fill a vacancy in nomination shall be accompanied by a Statement of Candidacy, as prescribed in Section 7-10, completed by the selected nominee and a receipt indicating that such nominee has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

The provisions of Section 10-8 through 10-10.1 relating to objections to certificates of nomination and nomination papers, hearings on objections, and judicial review, shall apply to and govern objections to resolutions for filling a vacancy in nomination.

Any vacancy in nomination occurring 15 days or less before the consolidated election or the general election shall not be filled. In this event, the certification of the original candidate shall stand and his name shall appear on the official ballot to be voted at the general election.

A vacancy in nomination occurs when a candidate who has been nominated under the provisions of this Article 7 dies before the election (whether death occurs prior to, on or after the day of the primary), or declines the nomination; provided that nominations may become vacant for other reasons.

If the name of no established political party candidate was printed on the consolidated primary ballot for a particular office and if no person was nominated as a write-in candidate for such office, a vacancy in nomination shall be created which may be filled in accordance with the requirements of this Section. Except as otherwise provided in this Code, if the name of no established political party candidate was printed on the general primary ballot for an office nominated under this Article and if no person was nominated as a write-in candidate for such office, a vacancy in nomination shall be filled only by a person designated by the appropriate committee of the political party and only if that designated person files nominating petitions with the number of signatures required for an established party candidate for that office within 75 days after the day of the general primary. The circulation period for those petitions begins on the day the appropriate committee designates that person. The person shall file his or her nominating petitions, statements of candidacy, notice of appointment by the appropriate committee, and receipt of filing his or her statement of economic interests together. These documents shall be filed at the same location as provided in Section 7-12. The electoral boards having jurisdiction under Section 10-9 to hear and pass upon objections to nominating petitions also shall hear and pass upon objections to nomination petitions filed by candidates under this paragraph.

A candidate for whom a nomination paper has been filed as a partisan candidate at a primary election, and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such primary election, is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of another political party.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such caucus is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of another political party.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who has participated in the caucus of another established political party or a new political party or who has signed a petition of another established political party, a new political party, or an independent candidate is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of the political party holding the caucus.

In the proceedings to nominate a candidate to fill a vacancy or to fill a vacancy in the nomination, each precinct, township, ward, county, or congressional district, as the case may be, shall, through its representative on such central or managing committee, be entitled to one vote for each ballot voted in such precinct, township, ward, county, or congressional district, as the case may be, by the primary electors of its party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting at which such vacancy is to be filled.

For purposes of this Section, the words "certify" and "certification" shall refer to the act of officially declaring the names of candidates entitled to be printed upon the official ballot at an election and directing election authorities to place the names of such candidates upon the official ballot. "Certifying officers or board" shall refer to the local election official, the election authority, or the State Board of Elections, as the case may be, with whom nomination papers, including certificates of nomination and resolutions to fill vacancies in nomination, are filed and whose duty it is to certify candidates.

(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-586, eff. 5-3-24.)

(10 ILCS 5/10-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 10-3)

Sec. 10-3. Nomination of independent candidates (not candidates of any political party), for any office to be filled by the voters of the State at large may also be made by nomination papers signed in the aggregate for each candidate by 1% of the number of voters who voted in the next preceding Statewide general election or 25,000 qualified voters of the State, whichever is less. Nominations of independent candidates for public office within any district or political subdivision less than the State, may be made by nomination papers signed in the aggregate for each candidate by qualified voters of such district, or political subdivision, equaling not less than 5%, nor more than 8% (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater) of the number of persons, who voted at the next preceding regular election in such district or political subdivision in which such district or political subdivision voted as a unit for the election of officers to serve its respective territorial area. However, whenever the minimum signature requirement for an independent candidate petition for a district or political subdivision office shall exceed the minimum number of signatures for an independent candidate petition for an office to be filled by the voters of the State at large at the next preceding State-wide general election, such State-wide petition signature requirement shall be the minimum for an independent candidate petition for such district or political subdivision office. For the first election following a redistricting of congressional districts, nomination papers for an independent candidate for congressperson shall be signed by at least 5,000 qualified voters of the congressional district. For the first election following a redistricting of legislative districts, nomination papers for an independent candidate for State Senator in the General Assembly shall be signed by at least 3,000 qualified voters of the legislative district. For the first election following a redistricting of representative districts, nomination papers for an independent candidate for State Representative in the General Assembly shall be signed by at least 1,500 qualified voters of the representative district. For the first election following redistricting of county board districts, or of municipal wards or districts, or for the first election following the initial establishment of such districts or wards in a county or municipality, nomination papers for an independent candidate for county board member, or for alderperson or trustee of such municipality, shall be signed by qualified voters of the district or ward equal to not less than 5% nor more than 8% (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater) of the total number of votes cast at the preceding general or general municipal election, as the case may be, for the county or municipal office voted on throughout such county or municipality for which the greatest total number of votes were cast for all candidates, divided by the number of districts or wards, but in any event not less than 25 qualified voters of the district or ward. Each voter signing a nomination paper shall add to his signature his place of residence, and each voter may subscribe to one nomination for such office to be filled, and no more: Provided that the name of any candidate whose name may appear in any other place upon the ballot shall not be so added by petition for the same office.

The person circulating the petition, or the candidate on whose behalf the petition is circulated, may strike any signature from the petition, provided that;

(1) the person striking the signature shall initial the petition at the place where the signature is struck; and

(2) the person striking the signature shall sign a certification listing the page number and line number of each signature struck from the petition. Such certification shall be filed as a part of the petition.

(3) the persons striking signatures from the petition shall each sign an additional certificate specifying the number of certification pages listing stricken signatures which are attached to the petition and the page numbers indicated on such certifications. The certificate shall be filed as a part of the petition, shall be numbered, and shall be attached immediately following the last page of voters' signatures and before the certifications of stricken signatures.

(4) all of the foregoing requirements shall be necessary to effect a valid striking of any signature. The provisions of this Section authorizing the striking of signatures shall not impose any criminal liability on any person so authorized for signatures which may be fraudulent.

In the case of the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor a joint petition including one candidate for each of those offices must be filed.

A candidate for whom a nomination paper has been filed as a partisan candidate at a primary election, and who is defeated for his or her nomination at the primary election, is ineligible to be placed on the ballot as an independent candidate for election in that general or consolidated election.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such caucus, is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as an independent candidate.

A candidate seeking election to an office as an independent candidate is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at the general or consolidated election if the candidate has participated in the caucus of or signed a petition of an established political party or a new political party for another office during the same election.

(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)

(10 ILCS 5/17-16.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 17-16.1)

Sec. 17-16.1. Except as otherwise provided in this Code, write-in votes shall be counted only for persons who have filed notarized declarations of intent to be write-in candidates with the proper election authority or authorities not later than 61 days prior to the election. However, whenever an objection to a candidate's nominating papers or petitions for any office is sustained under Section 10-10 after the 61st day before the election, then write-in votes shall be counted for that candidate if he or she has filed a notarized declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for that office with the proper election authority or authorities not later than 7 days prior to the election.

Forms for the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate shall be supplied by the election authorities. Such declaration shall specify the office for which the person seeks election as a write-in candidate.

The election authority or authorities shall deliver a list of all persons who have filed such declarations to the election judges in the appropriate precincts prior to the election.

A candidate for whom a nomination paper has been filed as a partisan candidate at a primary election, and who is defeated for his or her nomination at the primary election is ineligible to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election in that general or consolidated election.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such caucus is ineligible to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election in that general or consolidated election.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates are nominated at a primary election on a nonpartisan basis and who is defeated for his or her nomination at the primary election is ineligible to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election in that general or consolidated election.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates are nominated at a primary election on a nonpartisan basis and who has participated in the caucus of or who has signed a petition of an established political party or a new political party during the same primary election is ineligible to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for election in that general or consolidated election.

Nothing in this Section shall be construed to apply to votes cast under the provisions of subsection (b) of Section 16-5.01.

(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21.)

Section 10. The Township Code is amended by changing Section 45-50 as follows:

(60 ILCS 1/45-50)

Sec. 45-50. Caucus procedures.

(a) The rules of procedure for conducting a township or multi-township caucus must be approved and may be amended by a majority vote of the qualified participants attending the caucus. No participant shall be able to participate or vote at any township or multi-township caucus if the person is or was at anytime during the 12 months before the caucus any of the following:

(1) An elected or appointed public official of another established political party.

(2) An elected or appointed officer, director, precinct committeeman or representative of the township committeeman of another established political party.

(3) A judge of election under Article 13 or 14 of the Election Code for another statewide established political party.

(4) A voter who voted in the primary election of another statewide established political party different from the party holding the caucus.

(5) A person who has participated in the caucus of another established political party or a new political party or who signed a petition for a candidate of another established political party, a new political party, or an independent candidate.

(b) The rules of procedure shall include the following:

(1) No caucus shall commence earlier than 6:00 p.m.

(2) The caucus shall commence at the place specified in the notice of caucus.

(3) Procedures by which qualified caucus participants determine by a majority vote the duties of caucus judges of election. Caucus judges of election shall be appointed by a majority vote of the township or multi-township central committee. No judge of the Supreme Court, appellate court, or circuit court or associate judge shall serve as a caucus judge of election.

(4) Nominations for selection as a candidate shall be accepted from any qualified participant of the caucus.

(5) The method of voting (i.e., written ballot, voice vote, show of hands, standing vote) for determining the candidate or candidates selected for nomination.

(6) Whether candidates will be selected as a slate or as individual nominees for each office.

(7) Whether written notice of intent to be a caucus nominee is required.

(8) Other rules deemed necessary by the central committee at the time the rules are promulgated or by the majority of the qualified caucus participants when the rules are being considered at their meeting.

(9) A participant in a caucus shall be entitled to only one vote for each office for which he or she is voting. A participant's vote shall not be weighted to be equal to more than one vote.

(c) Individuals participating at an established political party township or multi-township caucus shall comply with each of the following:

(1) A participant shall be registered under Article 4, 5, or 6 of the Election Code.

(2) A participant shall be registered within the territory for which the nomination is made.

(3) A participant shall sign an affidavit that he or she is a registered voter and affiliated with the established political party holding the caucus.

(4) A participant shall not take part in the proceedings of more than one established political party township and multi-township caucus for the same election. This requirement also applies to the township and multi-township clerks.

(5) A participant shall not sign a petition of nomination for an independent or new political party candidate for the same election.

(6) A participant shall not become an independent candidate or a candidate of another established political party or a new political party for the same election.

(d) The voters participating at an established political party township or multi-township caucus shall not select for nomination more candidates than there are to be elected for each office.

(e) No candidate for nomination at a township or multi-township caucus shall be required to do either of the following:

(1) Circulate and file nominating petitions to become a candidate at the caucus.

(2) File a fee to become a candidate at the caucus.

(Source: P.A. 100-219, eff. 8-18-17.)