Who is responsible for the administration of elections in Illinois?

The administration of elections in Illinois is the responsibility of the State Board of Elections. This independent agency is tasked with ensuring fair and transparent electoral processes across the entire state. The Board is responsible for overseeing the administration of local, state, and federal elections and is charged with managing the election process, including setting rules, regulations, and standards pertaining to the conduct of elections.

The State Board of Elections also oversees the filing of nominating petitions, maintains registration of voters, conducts training for election judges, and ensures compliance with federal and state election laws. This central role is critical for promoting voter integrity and accessibility, thus maintaining public confidence in the electoral system.

In contrast, the Secretary of State handles a wider range of administrative functions, such as managing vehicle registrations and maintaining state records, and is not directly responsible for election administration. The Governor and the General Assembly play important roles in the legislative process and governance but do not have direct oversight of election administration as carried out by the State Board of Elections.