The first Consolidated Election in Illinois was held on April 7, 1981, marking a significant shift in election administration. Before then, Local Units of Government conducted their own elections. Since the change, DeKalb County has never administered a Consolidated Primary Election—until now.
On December 19, 2024, the City of DeKalb’s Local Election Official, along with the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder’s Office, received a Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate. This filing, intended for a Democratic write-in candidate for Mayor of the City of DeKalb, has triggered a Consolidated Primary Election, scheduled for February 25, 2025.
The last day to file a notarized Declaration of Intent to be a Write-In Candidate was December 19, 2024. Filing must occur with the appropriate election authority where nomination papers for the office are submitted. Write-in votes will only be counted for individuals who have properly filed these declarations. (10 ILCS 5/7-5(d), 7-12(10)(c); 65 ILCS 5/3.1-25-20).
Details of the Consolidated Primary Election
• Date: February 25, 2025
• Scope: The election is limited to registered voters within the City of DeKalb (22,163 active registered voters).
• Ballot: A single Democratic Primary Ballot, featuring an oval and a line for write-in candidate, will be available.
To be nominated and appear on the April 1, 2025 Consolidated Election ballot, a candidate must receive votes equaling or exceeding the number of petition signatures required for nomination (10 ILCS 5/7-59(c)(1)).
This Consolidated Primary Election is unprecedented in DeKalb County’s history and carries financial implications for taxpayers countywide. Although the election is limited to voters within the City of DeKalb, the cost—estimated at $100,000 (not including labor)—will be covered by the county’s budget.
While the scope of the election is narrow, it requires the same comprehensive preparation, adherence to election laws, and operational oversight as any other election. From ballot design and printing to staffing polling places and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, the process involves significant resources.
Our office is committed to conducting a smooth, transparent, and legally compliant elections while being as fiscally conservative as possible. However, we also want taxpayers across the county to be aware of the financial impact of facilitating this unique election, which, while focused on one city, must be funded from the broader county budget.