Write-In Candidate Procedures
1. A candidate who is defeated for nomination is prohibited from filing a Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate at that General Election.
2. A write-in candidate must file a notarized “Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate” no 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 after the 61st day before the election, the candidate may file a notarized declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for that office with the proper election authority or authorities no later than 7 days prior to the election. The declaration must be filed with the proper election authority or authorities in those jurisdictions in which he or she is seeking to be a write-in candidate. Declaration of Intent forms are NOT TO BE FILED with the State Board of Elections. (10 ILCS 5/7-59, 17-16.1, 18-9.1) The “Declaration of Intent to be a Write-in Candidate” form can be obtained from the Sangamon County Election Office.
3. To qualify as a candidate for an established political party in a General Election, a write-in candidate at a Primary Election for that party must receive the number of votes that is equal to or greater than the number of signatures required on a petition for that office if the number of candidates whose names appear on the primary ballot is less than the number of persons the party is entitled to nominate or elect to that office at the Primary Election. (10 ILCS 5/7-59)
4. The number of votes required for write-in candidates to be nominated or elected to an office at a Primary Election, as outlined above, does not apply if:
(a) the number of votes he/she receives exceeds the number of votes received by at least one of the candidates whose name was printed on the ballot for nomination or election to the same office;
(b) the number of candidates whose names appear on the ballot equals or exceeds the number of persons the party is entitled to nominate or elect to that office. (10 ILCS 5/7-59)
5. A winning write-in candidate who receives the required number of votes at a Primary Election must file:
1) a Statement of Candidacy;
2) a receipt for the filing of the Statement of Economic Interests (exception: federal and party offices);
3) Any other designation or certification required of a particular office;
4) a Loyalty Oath (optional).
Write-in candidates at a General Primary or General Election (even years) MUST file these forms within 10 days of the canvass. Write-in candidates at a Consolidated Primary or Consolidated Election (odd years) MUST file these forms within 5 days following the completion of the canvass.
The forms must be filed with a certifying officer or board (example: winning write-in candidate for State Representative would file with the State Board of Elections). (10 ILCS 5/7-60)
Write-In Voting Instructions
Please click here to access Write-In Voting Instructions.
