8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
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JoinRun for County Sheriff in Stephenson County County, IL
Election Date: Nov 3, 2026Filing Deadline: Jun 22, 2026
Election Details
- Office level: county
- Length of term: 4 years
- Commitment level: Full Time
- Affiliation: partisan
- Typical salary: N/A
- Is this a runoff election? No
- Is this a primary election? No
- Filing period: Jun 15, 2026 - Jun 22, 2026
- Positions: Stephenson County Board - District KStephenson County Board - District IStephenson County Board - District GStephenson County Board - District EStephenson County Board - District C...
Job description
The Sheriff is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of the Circuit Court, Director of Safety and the Administrator of the County Jail. Main functions include: Provide basic police services to the unincorporated areas of the county. Maintain a complete record of all traffic accidents, arrest, investigations and complaints. Maintain security in the Courtrooms and Custodian of the Courthouse.
Eligibility requirements
Candidate must be a United States citizen, must be a resident of the county for 1 year, must be a registered voter in the county, and must not be a convicted felon.
Filing instructions
Filing office address: 50 West Douglas St, Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032
Filing phone number: 815-235-8289
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the County Clerk's office.
Filing requirements: No filing fee; Signature requirement 0.5% of the qualified electors of their party who cast votes at the last preceding general election in their county. Independent candidates: Not less than 5% nor more than 8% (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater), signed by qualified voters of the county, of the total number of persons who voted at the last General Election in the county.
FAQ
How often is County Sheriff elected?
The position of County Sheriff is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be partisan?
Partisan elections require candidates to declare a party affiliation, like Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Stephenson County County, IL?
No filing fee; Signature requirement 0.5% of the qualified electors of their party who cast votes at the last preceding general election in their county. Independent candidates: Not less than 5% nor more than 8% (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater), signed by qualified voters of the county, of the total number of persons who voted at the last General Election in the county.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the County Clerk's office.
Where is the filing office?
50 West Douglas St, Suite 500, Freeport, IL 61032.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 815-235-8289.
How do I get started running for County Sheriff?
You can start running for County Sheriff by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for County Sheriff does not include a primary or runoff election.
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