Candidate filing period opens Dec. 12

Sample forms promulgated by
the state elections board appear
on the IASB website, plus guidance, here.

The filing period is Dec. 12-19 for the April 4, 2017 consolidated election, which includes school board elections in most Illinois public school districts.

School board candidate nomination papers are to be filed with the county clerk (or county board of election commissioners, if applicable). Note that the Cook County Clerk website lists four suburban sites, set out as the first thing on the site. If the school district encompasses more than one county, the correct county is that in which the main office of the school district is located.

To become a candidate for the school board, individuals must file the following:

• Statement of Candidacy;
• Receipt for Statement of Economic Interests;
• Nominating petitions.

Prospective school board candidates began circulating nominating petitions on Sep. 20. These forms must include signatures from at least 50 qualified voters, or 10 percent of the voters residing within the district, whichever is less.

A candidate for an Illinois school board must be at least 18 years old, must have lived in the school district for at least one year, and must be a registered voter. Some restrictions also apply.

Names of qualified candidates will be placed on the ballot in the order in which nominating papers are received. If necessary, a lottery will be held for the first and last spots if multiple candidates’ papers are filed simultaneously in either the first or final hour of the filing period.

Other key dates for candidates: Dec. 27 is the last day to file objections to nominating petitions; Dec. 28 is the final date for a ballot placement lottery; Jan. 26 is the deadline day to formally withdraw as a candidate; and Feb. 2 is the final calendar day to file officially as a write-in candidate.

IASB offers election information and candidate guidance, including links to Illinois State Board of Elections and sample forms, here.