FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2019
Contact:
Charles B. Pelkie Jr.
(815) 740-4613 Office
(779) 702-6337 Mobile
Local candidates may begin filing nominating petitions
on Monday, Nov. 25 for 2020 General Primary Election
JOLIET – Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry reminds candidates who wish to appear on next year’s Primary Election ballot that they may begin filing their nominating petitions with her office starting at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 25. The filing period will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2.
Petitions can be filed in person at the Will County Clerk’s Office, 302 N. Chicago St. in downtown Joliet, or mailed to the same address. Petitions received in the mail before Nov. 25 will not be accepted. In addition, petitions sent by mail will not be accepted if they arrive at the Will County Clerk’s Office after 5 p.m. on Dec. 2.
NOTE: The Will County Clerk’s Office will not be open
on Thursday, Nov. 28 or Friday, Nov. 29
due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Nominating petitions that will be filed with the Will County Clerk’s Office are for countywide offices (Auditor, Chief Executive Officer, Circuit Clerk, Coroner, Recorder of Deeds, and State’s Attorney), for County Board (District 1 – unexpired term, and Districts 3, 8, 10, 12, and 13), and for all Precinct Committeepersons.
On Nov. 25, the doors to the Will County Office Building will be unlocked at 7:30 a.m. The Will County Clerk’s Office will open its doors at 8 a.m. Staff notaries will be available to notarize petitions prior to filing or during the filing process. Filing will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m.
Candidates who are waiting in line at 8:30 a.m. on the first day of filing will qualify for a Simultaneous Filing Lottery to determine whose name will be placed first on the ballot. Candidates whose petitions are received through the mail on the first day of filing also will qualify for the Simultaneous Filing Lottery. Eligible candidates for the lottery must have filed for the same office and on behalf of the same established political party.
On Dec. 2, the Will County Clerk’s Office will remain open until 5 p.m. for candidates who are filing petitions. Those who file petitions between 4-5 p.m. will qualify for placement in a Simultaneous Filing Lottery to determine whose name will appear in the last space on the ballot.
The Simultaneous Filing Lottery will be held at 9 a.m., Dec. 9 at the Will County Clerk’s Office. Candidates, their representatives, or members of the public are welcome to attend the lottery. However, candidates are not required to attend.
Important Note on Simultaneous Filing Lottery
The Will County Clerk’s Office wishes to notify candidates that the Simultaneous Filing Lottery will be held in compliance with Illinois State Board of Elections Rules and Regulations (as codified under the Illinois Administrative Procedures Act), Title 26, Chapter 1, Section 201.40.
The lottery procedures are spelled out in the 2020 Candidate’s Guide on the Illinois State Board of Elections website at www.elections.il.gov. The Will County Clerk’s Office also will have information on the lottery available during the petition filing period.
For more information about petition filing or the March 17, 2020 General Primary Election, visit the Election Services page at thewillcountyclerk.com.
Will County Clerk Lauren Staley Ferry greets candidates who were filing nominating petitions for the April 2019 Consolidated Election.
