Illinois. State Board of Elections

The State Officers Electoral Board (1943-1951), conposed of the Illinois Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, and Attorney General heard and ruled on state office nomination objections. Canvassing duties formerly exercised by the State Canvassing Board were assumed by the board which expanded its membership to include the Governor and State Treasurer, and shortened its name to the State Electoral Board (1951-1973). The Board further expanded to include state party central committee chairmen (1967) before being superseded by the State Board of Elections (1973- ). Originally composed of four members (two from each major party and two appointed by the Governor), board membership was expanded to eight members (1978) with four Cook County and four downstate residents (inc. two members from each area chosen by the major political parties) serving on the panel.

Prior to each primary, the board examined all filed petitions and certified candidates for President of the United States; state central committee; nominating and constitutional convention delegates and alternates; and for specified offices for which petitions were filed with the Secretary of State. In addition to certifying candidates for the county clerks, the board also certified office and candidate order on the primary ballot; and conducted hearings on public allegations concerning filed petitions and candidate petition withdrawals.

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