From congressional races to contested Sangamon County Board seats and the sheriff’s race, here’s a look at who’s on the Nov. 3 ballot locally. We also have an overview of the landlord registry referendum that Springfield voters will be asked to consider. Sign up for our daily digital newsletter to get timely information about local politics and other issues important to our community.
An overview of contested County Board races
Despite a total of 17 seats up for reelection on the Sangamon County Board and increased eyes on county politics, only four of those races are contested. With 29 board members, Sangamon is one of only three counties (the other two being LaSalle and St. Clair) to have the maximum number of county board seats…
Sheriff candidates both promise change
Sangamon County voters haven’t elected a Democrat as sheriff since 1974, but Marc Bell says the public’s longing for change at the local level, combined with dissatisfaction with Republicans nationally, may help him push the political pendulum in a new direction Nov. 3. “Everybody’s got to vote,” said Bell, a 62-year-old Democrat, Springfield resident and…
Nikki Budzinksi, Mary Miller both face challengers
Parts of Sangamon County are included in two congressional districts – the 13th and the 15th. The nationwide outcome of the mid-term election will determine whether the Republicans will keep control of Congress. Some political pundits predict Democrats are likely to gain a majority of the House and Senate, as President Donald Trump’s approval rating…
Signs of opposition
Signs popping up across Springfield make a blunt pitch to voters: “Landlord registration raises your taxes! Say no.” The Springfield Area Landlord Association, which is behind the signs, said they’re meant to warn voters about what the group sees as the inevitable costs of a landlord registration program. On Nov. 3, Springfield voters will weigh…
Frank Lesko challenges Doris Turner
Frank Lesko wants voters to send him to the Illinois Senate to cut the cost of government. Doris Turner wants them to keep her there to bring state dollars home. The Republican Sangamon County recorder and the incumbent Democratic state senator have both spent years in local government. But in their contest for the 48th…
Small town elections are important
For weeks, candidate ads have dominated television viewing. Text messages and phone calls are nonstop. Yard signs are popping up like my late season tomatoes. Much of this messaging is for candidates who will serve in Washington, D.C., or in the State House. While that part of the ballot is important, the most direct and…
This article appears in October 22-28, 2026.
