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  "path": "/elections/2026/02/27/whats-in-our-ballot-builder-and-whats-not",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-28T00:42:52.944Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "tags": [
    "_questionnaires from all candidates_",
    "_Chicago Sun-Times’ ongoing coverage_",
    "_why so few judges want to run in Cook County_",
    "_what a committeeperson does_",
    "_Chicago Board of Election Commissioners_",
    "Cook County Clerk",
    "_DuPage County Clerk_",
    "_Kane County Clerk_",
    "_Lake County Clerk_",
    "_McHenry County Clerk_",
    "_Will County Clerk_"
  ],
  "textContent": "### What’s in our ballot builder\n\nThis ballot tool covers primary election races in the following counties: **Cook** (including Chicago), **DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry** and **Will.  **\n\nIn it, you will find questionnaires from candidates in your district. Candidate questionnaires were sent out to Democratic and Republican candidates in the following races:\n\n  * U.S. Senate\n  * U.S. House\n\n    * Districts 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10\n  * Illinois Governor\n\n    * Only for Republican gubernatorial candidates; the Democratic candidate is an incumbent running unopposed\n  * Illinois Senate\n\n    * Districts 6, 9, 14 and 33\n  * Illinois House\n\n    * Districts 1, 4, 8, 12, 13, 26, 34, 35, 40, 42, 52 and 84\n\n\n\nYou can also browse through the _questionnaires from all candidates_ who completed them. Follow the _Chicago Sun-Times’ ongoing coverage_ leading up to the March 7 election.\n\n### What’s not in our ballot builder\n\nThese races are not included in our ballot builder, but they will show up on your ballot on election day.\n\n  * **Judges** : In Cook County, circuit court judges make up the longest part of the ballot. Fewer than half of the seats are actually contested; however to remain on the bench judges must receive 60% or more “yes” votes. To better understand this section of your ballot, read about _why so few judges want to run in Cook County_ from the non-profit newsroom Injustice Watch.\n  * **Committeepersons:** Chicago’s 50 wards and all Cook County townships each have a Democratic and Republican committeeperson who work on behalf of their respective party to manage election administration such as voter registration. No, they are not alders. And yes, you vote for them. Read about _what a committeeperson does_, from our friends at City Cast Chicago.\n  * **Referendums:** There are no referendums, also known as ballot measures, on the Cook County ballot this year. However, we did spot ballot measures in DuPage and Will counties. Find out if your ballot has a referendum by looking it up at your county’s local board election site:\n\n    * _Chicago Board of Election Commissioners_\n    * Cook County Clerk\n    *  _DuPage County Clerk_\n    *  _Kane County Clerk_\n    *  _Lake County Clerk_\n    *  _McHenry County Clerk_\n    *  _Will County Clerk_\n\n",
  "title": "What’s in our ballot builder — and what’s not",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-28T00:42:52.944Z"
}