2020 Election Season Kicks Off

Cook County Clerk: Labor Day weekend will be the last chance for prospective candidates, campaign workers and voters to rest before the March 17, 2020 Presidential Primary, as candidates and their supporters may begin circulating nominating petitions on Tuesday, Sept. 3, Cook County Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough announced Wednesday."It’s no secret that gathering signatures for a campaign is hard work,” Yarbrough said. “But through the sore feet and long days, these next three months are the perfect opportunity for candidates to introduce themselves, meet the voters face-to-face and learn more about the issues facing their potential future constituents.”Offices up for election in 2020 include:U.S. President; U.S. Senator; U.S. Representatives; Cook County State’s Attorney; Cook County Circuit Court Clerk; some state senators; all state representatives; one Board of Review commissioner; and three Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioners.Party nominees who win the primary races will advance to the November 3, 2020 Presidential Election.Under state law, all candidates must gather signatures from registered voters before their names can appear on the ballot. The number of signatures depends on which office the candidate is seeking. Prospective candidates can download and print petition forms from the Illinois State Board of Elections web site – www.elections.il.gov.

Prospective candidates for the primary must file their nomination papers between November 25 and December 2. The deadline to file objections to a candidacy or nominating petitions is December 9.Yarbrough recommended that all candidates consult with an attorney when preparing their nomination papers.“Prospective candidates should know that there are important, state-mandated signature and paperwork requirements when it comes to getting on the ballot,” Yarbrough said. “If petitions aren’t submitted properly, potentially great candidates with a sincere desire to better their communities may miss their chance to appear on the ballot.”As a reminder, Federal, State and Judicial candidates file with the Illinois State Board of Elections in Springfield. Candidates for Countywide offices, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, the Board of Review and Ward Committeeperson for the City of Chicago file with the Cook County Clerk’s Office. For more information, including filing deadlines and signature requirements, visit the election calendar link posted on the Cook County Clerk’s web site at cookcountyclerk.com/service/2020-info-candidates.