Only 1 in 6 primary races offer voters choice

State residents decide Tuesday who will be on the general election ballot in November.

Only about 17% of the possible primary elections in Illinois are contested this year, illustrating the importance of giving voters more choices.

Illinois has 181 open state and federal seats this year, the vast majority of those in the state General Assembly. Of the 362 possible primaries, only 61 are contested, split evenly between Democrats and Republicans.

In 2024 nearly nine out of every 10 Republican and Democratic primaries for Illinois state and federal offices uncontested.

This year in the Illinois General Assembly, only 10.5% of primaries involve competing candidates.

Increasing competition by giving Illinois voters options could increase turnout and lead lawmakers to vote more in line with their constituents’ interests. It could also be an important step in reversing Illinois’ culture of political corruption.

Research shows that more choice drives voter participation and makes legislators less susceptible to the influence of lobbyists and special interests. Lightly contested elections also tend to skew policies in favor of powerful special interests.

Illinois should consider reforms that will give voters more choices at the ballot box, such as making it easier for independents to enter the general election like they do in Iowa, Wisconsin and Tennessee.

Until that happens, Illinois will continue to see elections with too few choices and too much influence handed to those already in power. To find your polling place, click here.