1976 Illinois elections

← 1974 November 2, 1976 1978 →
Turnout	77.38%

Elections were held inIllinois on Tuesday, November 2, 1976.^[1]

Primaries were held on March 16, 1976.^[1]

In order to, perConstitution of Illinois, allow for all statewide executive offices to be up for election in the 1978midterms, all statewide executive offices up for election in 1976 were only elected to two-year terms.

In order to, perConstitution of Illinois, allow for all statewide executive offices to be up for election in the 1978midterms, all statewide executive offices up for election in 1976 were only elected to two-year terms.

This is would be the last time that any election for a nstatewide executive office would be held in Illinois during a presidential election year, until 2016, whena special election was held for comptroller.

Turnout in the primary election was 21.55%, with a total of 1,239,487 ballots cast. 669,210 Democratic and 570,277 Republican primary ballots were cast.^[1]

Turnout during the general election was 77.38%, with 4,838,182 ballots cast.^[1]

Illinois voted for the Republicanticket ofGerald Ford andBob Dole.^[1]

All 24 Illinois seats in theUnited States House of Representatives were up for election in 1976.

Republicans flipped one seat, making the composition of Illinois' House delegation consist of 12 Democrats and 12 Republicans.

1976 Illinois gubernatorial election

← 1972 November 2, 1976 1978 →
Turnout	74.18%[1]
Nominee James R. Thompson Michael J. Howlett Party Republican Democratic Running mate David C. O'Neal Neil Hartigan Popular vote 3,000,395 1,610,258 Percentage 64.68% 34.71%
County Results Thompson:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90% Howlett:     50–60%
Governor before election Dan Walker Democratic Elected Governor James R. Thompson Republican

IncumbentGovernorDan Walker, a Democrat, had been defeated byMichael J. Howlett in the Democratic primary, while incumbentLieutenant GovernorNeil Hartigan was renominated in the Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary. The Republican ticket ofJames R. Thompson andDavid C. O'Neal won the election.

1976 Illinois Attorney General election

← 1972 November 2, 1976 1978 →
Turnout	72.15%[1]
Nominee William J. Scott Cecil Partee Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,795,013 1,678,800 Percentage 61.95% 37.21%
County results Scott:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90% Partee:     50–60%
Attorney General before election William J. Scott Republican Elected Attorney General William J. Scott Republican

IncumbentAttorney GeneralWilliam J. Scott, a Republican, was elected to a third term.

President of the Illinois SenateCecil Partee narrowly defeated Superintendent of the Illinois Department of Registration and Education^[2] Ronald E. Stackler in the Democratic primary.

Incumbent William J. Scott won the Republican primary, running unopposed.

1976 Illinois Secretary of State election

← 1972 November 2, 1976 1978 →
Turnout	72.00%[1]
Nominee Alan J. Dixon William C. Harris Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,906,311 1,562,028 Percentage 64.55% 34.69%
County results Dixon:     50–60%     60–70%     70–80% Harris:     50–60%     60–70%
Secretary of State before election Michael Howlett Democratic Elected Secretary of State Alan J. Dixon Democratic

IncumbentSecretary of StateMichael Howlett, a Democrat, did not seek a second term, instead opting to run for governor. DemocratAlan J. Dixon was elected to succeed him in office.

Illinois TreasurerAlan J. Dixon won the Democratic primary, defeating Illinois State SenatorVince Demuzio.

Illinois State SenatorWilliam C. Harris won the Republican primary, running unopposed.

1976 Illinois State Comptroller election

← 1972 November 2, 1976 1978 →
Turnout	71.25%[1]
Nominee Michael Bakalis George W. Lindberg Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 2,298,074 2,117,977 Percentage 51.67% 47.53%
County results Bakalis:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70% Lindberg:     40–50%     50–60%     60–70%
State Comptroller before election George W. Lindberg Republican Elected State Comptroller Michael Bakalis Democratic

IncumbentComptrollerGeorge W. Lindberg, a Republican running for a second term, was defeated by DemocratMichael Bakalis.

FormerIllinois Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Bakalis won the Democratic primary, defeating Director of the Illinois State Department of General Services^[3]Roland Burris.

Incumbent George W. Lindberg won the Republican primary, running unopposed.

Seats of theIllinois Senate were up for election in 1976. Democrats retained control of the chamber.

Seats in theIllinois House of Representatives were up for election in 1976. Democrats retained control of the chamber.

An election was held for three of nine seats for Trustees ofUniversity of Illinois system.

The election saw the reelection of first-term Democrats William D. Forsyth Jr., George W. Howard III, and Earl L. Neal.^[1][4]

Multiple judicial positions were up for election in 1976.^[1]

Local elections were held.

• 1976 Illinois elections
• 1976 elections in the United States by state

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