1950 was a midterm election year in the United States.
Turnout[]
In the primary election 1,789,787 ballots were cast (912,563 Democratic and 877,224 Republican).[1]
In the general election 3,731,618 ballots were cast.[1][2]
Federal elections[]
United States Senate[]
Main article: 1950 United States Senate election in Illinois
See also: 1950 United States Senate elections
Incumbent Senate Majority LeaderScott W. Lucas, a two-term incumbent Democratic senator, lost reelection to Republican Everett Dirksen.
United States House[]
Main article: 1950 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois
See also: 1950 United States House of Representatives elections
All 26 Illinois seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 1950.
Republicans flipped four Republican-held seats, leaving the Illinois House delegation to consist of 18 Republicans and 8 Democrats.
State elections[]
Treasurer[]
1950 Illinois State Treasurer election
← 1948
November 7, 1950
1952 →
Nominee
William Stratton
Michael Howlett
Party
Republican
Democratic
Popular vote
1,959,734
1,568,765
Percentage
55.34%
44.30%
Treasurer before election
Ora Smith Democratic
Elected Treasurer
William Stratton Republican
Incumbent first-term Treasurer, Democrat Ora Smith, did not seek reelection, instead running for Clerk of the Supreme Court. Republican William Stratton was elected to succeed him, earning Stratton a second non-consecutive term as Treasurer.
Former Illinois Treasurer and congressman William Stratton won the Republican primary. He defeated Cook County Treasurer Louis E. Nelson,[3] former congressman James Simpson Jr., fellow former Illinois Treasurer Warren E. Wright, Chicago alderman ,[4] among others.
New Republican members Harold "Red" Grange Wayne A. Johnston, and Herbert B. Megran were elected.[1][5]
Second-term Democrat Karl A. Meyer lost reelection.[1][5] Democrat Kenney E. Williamson (serving his first full, and second overall term) also lost reelection.[1][5] Incumbent first-term Democrat Walter W. McLaughlin was not nominated for reelection, with former member Harold Pogue nominated instead.[1][5]
Trustees of the University of Illinois election[1][5]
On April 11, two special elections were held, one to fill a vacancy of the Circuit Court of Cook County and one to fill a vacancy on the Superior Court of Cook County.
Ballot measure[]
One measure was put before voters in 1950, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.
In order to be approved, it required approval equal to a majority of voters voting in the entire general election.[6]
Illinois Gateway Amendment[]
The Illinois Gateway Amendment, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment to Section 2 of Article XIV of the Constitution, was approved by voters.[1][7] It made it so that the legislature would be able to propose modifications of up to three articles of the constitution per session, and also made it so that future constitutional amendments would require either a two-thirds vote of the voters voting on the question or a majority of voter voting in the election.[7]