The incumbent Secretary of State was William H. Chamberlain, a Democrat appointed in 1964. He did not seek reelection. Democrat Paul Powell was elected to succeed him in office.
Incumbent Auditor of Public AccountsMichael Howlett, a Democrat, was reelected to a second term, defeating Republican challenger John Kirby.
Democratic primary[]
Howlett won the Democratic primary unopposed.
Auditor of Public Accounts Democratic primary[1][3]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Michael J. Howlett (incumbent)
843,204
100
Write-in
Others
5
0.00
Total votes
843,209
100
Republican primary[]
John Kirby won the Republican primary.
Candidates
John William Chapman, former Lieutenant Governor
Maurice W. Coburn, 1962Illinois Treasurer candidate, former administrative assistant to the Governor of Illinois (1956–1960), chairman of the Illinois Veterans League, 44th Ward Precinct Captain, former President of the Young Conservative Club, lawyer[4]
Auditor of Public Accounts Republican primary[1][3]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Republican
John Kirby
245,015
27.33
Republican
John William Chapman
190,271
21.22
Republican
129,363
14.43
Republican
Walter E. McCarron
94,548
10.55
Republican
Maurice W Coburn
80,877
9.02
Republican
James P. Hennessy
74,322
8.29
Republican
Sherwin Willens
64,528
7.20
Republican
Louis "Lou" Haenle
17,568
1.96
Write-in
Others
30
0.00
Total votes
896,522
100
General election[]
Auditor of Public Accounts election
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Michael J. Howlett (incumbent)
2,513,831
55.47
Republican
John Kirby
2,017,951
44.53
Write-in
Others
1
0.00
Total votes
4,531,783
100
State Senate[]
Seats of the Illinois Senate were up for election in 1964. Republicans retained control of the chamber.
State House of Representatives[]
All 177 seats in the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 1964. In an unusual twist, the state of Illinois was unable to pass a redistricting map. As a result, as stipulated in the state Constitution all candidates were elected at large on one ballot, which contained 236 names and spread 33 inches long.[6] Both the Democrats and the Republicans nominated 118 candidates. [7] Voters could either voter for up to 177 candidates, and a straight-ticket option was also available.[6]
Every Democratic candidate won, flipping the chamber and giving Democrats a super-majority in the state House. Democrats won a total of 118 seats to Republican's 59 seats.[7]
The election saw the reelection of first term Democratic incumbent Howard Clement, second-term Democratic incumbent Harold Pogue, as well as fellow Democratic incumbent Theodore A. Jones (who had been appointed to fill a vacancy in 1963).[1][8]
Trustees of the University of Illinois election[1][8]
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Howard W. Clement (incumbent)
2,514,840
18.60
Democratic
Theodore A. Jones (incumbent)
2,484,508
18.38
Democratic
Harold A. Pogue (incumbent)
2,440,845
18.05
Republican
Park Livingston
2,075,034
15.35
Republican
C. Ernest Lovejoy
2,013,525
14.89
Republican
James A. Weatherly
1,992,575
14.76
Write-in
Others
2
0.00
Total votes
13,521,329
100
Ballot measures[]
Two ballot measures were put before voters in 1966, both of them legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
In order to be placed on the ballot, proposed legislatively referred constitutional amendments needed to be approved by two-thirds of each house of the Illinois General Assembly.[9] In order to be approved, they required approval of either two-thirds of those voting on the amendment itself or a majority of all ballots cast in the general elections.[1]
Annual Legislative Sessions Amendment[]
The Annual Legislative Sessions Amendment, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, was put to a vote. It would have amended Section 9 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution. It failed to meet either threshold for passage.[1]
Continuity of Governmental Operations in Periods of Emergency Amendment[]
The Continuity of Governmental Operations in Periods of Emergency Amendment, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, was put to a vote. It would have amended Section 35 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution. It failed to meet either threshold for passage.[1]
Continuity of Governmental Operations in Periods of Emergency Amendment[1][2]
^ abWehrwein, Austin (October 29, 1964). "BALLOT IN ILLINOIS BIG AS BATH TOWEL". New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Federal government
State government
Ballot measures and referendums
Chicago
Elections in Illinois