The races are on: Candidate filing period closes for county seats

In addition to the candidates for national and state parties in the November election, Cook County residents will vote in a number of county and local races. The election will include county races for two Board of Commissioners seats, districts 2 and 4, and three seats on the Soil and Water Conservation District Board, districts 1, 3, and 5. The candidate filing period for those races closed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jun. 4. The candidates who filed for those races are as follows:

County Board of Commissioners

• District 2: Garry Gamble, Jan Sivertson*
• District 4: Ann Sullivan (Incumbent), Arvis Thompson

*Jan Sivertson pulled out of the race shortly after the filing period closed

Soil and Water Conservation District Board

• District 1: Gregg Westigard (unopposed)
• District 3: Amber Humphrey (unopposed)
• District 5: no candidate

Cook County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers told WTIP that though the official filing window has closed, the ballots have not been finalized. He said that those who have filed have until 5 p.m. on Jun. 6 to withdraw their candidacy. Additionally, he said that there is still time for those individuals who may opt to run a write-in campaign. According to Powers, typically, when no one has filed for candidacy during the official filing period, a write-in candidate emerges as the election nears. This may happen in Soil and Water District 5 this year, where no candidates filed before the deadline.

That does not mean, however, that a candidate could join the race right up until the election. Powers told WTIP, ” For Commissioner and Soil and Water districts, the votes for them will only count if they register as a write-in by seven days prior to the general election.” County Elections Administrator Cortnee Bernier told WTIP that, to her knowledge, someone has always stepped forward to run as a write-in candidate in situations when no one has filed during the regular filing period.

Powers previously told WTIP that these seats have the potential for a election. However when two or fewer candidates file, a primary is unnecessary. The state primary will include races for statewide offices, such as US House of Representatives District 8 and State House District 3A. That election will take place on Aug. 13.

WTIP will have more information on the candidates before the election. For county residents who are not registered to vote, WTIP spoke with Powers and Bernier earlier this year to find out more about how to register and how to vote. Residents can also access information about which district or districts they belong to on the county district maps.

Kirsten Wisniewski June 4, 2024