Lake County Gazette

While the 2018 general elections are still more than a year away, several key deadlines for those intending to run for office in Lake County are approaching, according to the Lake County clerk’s website.

The election will take place on Nov. 6, 2018, but will be preceded by a primary in March, which those intending to run for office must take part in. Many Lake County offices require nominations to be included on the ballot, for which candidates must circulate nominating petitions and garner a specified number of signatures. This petition circulation process is set to begin on Aug. 28 with the collection of petition materials from the Lake County Clerk’s Office.

Of the Lake County positions up for grabs in 2018, county clerk, treasurer, sheriff and regional superintendent of schools must be nominated, as must county board members for districts, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21, as well as the North Shore Water Reclamation District for wards 3 and 5. Also being elected are precinct committeemen and aldermen for the City of Lake Forest’s wards 1, 2, 3 and 4.

Lake County Clerk Carla Wyckoff | www.lakecountyil.gov/161/County-Clerk

Those interested in running for any of the nominated offices should plan to collect petition packets on Aug. 28, either in person at the Lake County Clerk’s Office or online at the clerk’s section of the county website, in order to make the most of the circulation period. Candidates will also be able to access the signature requirements for their prospective offices on Aug. 28.

While the petition materials will be available beforehand, candidates may not begin circulating them until Sept. 5. The circulation period runs through Dec. 4. The filing period begins on Nov. 27 and also concludes on Dec. 4. Candidates can file their petitions and other paperwork, including statements of candidacy and receipts of filed statements of economic interest, in person or via mail, but all materials must be received by 5 p.m. on the final day.

The Lake County Clerk’s Office notes that there are specific requirements individuals must meet for candidacy and that must be fulfilled in candidate paperwork. The office’s staff is prohibited from reviewing these materials, and paperwork cannot be amended after it has been filed – with the exception of the receipt for filing a statement of economic interest, which can be submitted until the filing deadline. The office strongly recommends that all individuals runnng for office work with an attorney when compiling their petition materials and determining their eligibility.

The office cautioned that nominating papers are open to legal objections, making their proper completion critical to ensure that candidates are not removed from the ballot. According to the office’s website, qualified objectors can issue a legal challenge on incomplete or improperly completed paperwork.

After nominating materials have been filed, those who believe there is reason for a legal challenge can make an appointment with the office to view the voter registration of petition signers.

The Lake County Clerk’s Office is at 18 N. County Street in Waukegan and can be contacted at 847-377-2314. Information about the upcoming elections can be found at www.lakecountyil.gov/163/Elections.