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 County results McKinley: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% Waller: 40–50% 50–60% | |||||||||||||||||
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The1920 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 2, 1920.[1]
IncumbentRepublican senatorLawrence Yates Sherman opted to retire rather than seeking reelection. Fellow RepublicanWilliam B. McKinley was elected to succeed him in office.
The primaries and general election coincided with those forHouse and those for state elections, but not those forpresident.[1] Primaries were held September 15, 1920.[1]
The1920 United States Senate elections were the first to be held since theNineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution granted nationalwomen's suffrage. This was the first Illinois U.S. Senate election in which women could vote.
In 1916, incumbentLawrence Yates Sherman made the decision to retire from politics and to not seek reelection in 1920, due to his failing hearing, which prevented him from hearing what was said on the Senate floor.[2]
Burke, known as "O.K. Bobby" by supporters, stood on a platform opposed to theLeague of Nations and ratification of theTreaty of Versailles. He was also opposed toProhibition and critical of President Wilson.[3] Waller had the support of the Democratic establishment.[3] Neither ran an active campaign.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Peter A. Waller | 87,643 | 51.17 | |
| Democratic | Robert Emmet Burke | 83,624 | 48.83 | |
| Total votes | 171,267 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William B. McKinley | 372,530 | 46.60 | |
| Republican | Frank L. Smith | 361,130 | 45.18 | |
| Republican | Burnett M. Chiperfield | 65,742 | 8.22 | |
| Total votes | 799,402 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socialist | Gustave T. Fraenckel | 2,013 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 2,013 | 100 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William B. McKinley | 1,381,384 | 66.83 | |
| Democratic | Peter A. Waller | 554,372 | 26.82 | |
| Socialist | Gustave T. Fraenckel | 66,463 | 3.22 | |
| Farmer–Labor | John Fitzpatrick | 50,749 | 2.46 | |
| Prohibition | Frank B. Vennum | 10,186 | 0.49 | |
| Socialist Labor | Joseph B. Moody | 3,107 | 0.15 | |
| Single Tax | George Dodd Carrington Jr. | 784 | 0.04 | |
| Majority | 827,012 | 40.01 | ||
| Turnout | 2,067,045 | |||
| Republicanhold | ||||
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