The Democratic Party made gains, including picking up the state's governorship and flipping two of its U.S. House seats. After the election, all executive offices and control of the Illinois General Assembly was held by the Democratic Party. Conversely the Republican Party experienced what was regarded to be their worst defeat in the state since at least 2006.[1]
For the general election, turnout was 57.23%, with 4,635,541 votes cast.[3] The Illinois State Board of Elections reported that this general election turnout rate was the third-highest for a midterm election over the past forty years.[4] The Illinois State Board of Elections also reported that the total number of votes cast set a record high.[4] Voter registration, at 8.1 million, also sat at a record high.[4]
Turnout was considered high in the United States during the 2018 midterm elections, with it being the highest national midterm turnout since 1914.[5]
Incumbent Democratic secretary of stateJesse White, who has been in office since 1999, initially announced in August 2015 that he would retire.[9] On August 17, 2017, White reversed this decision and announced that he would run for re-election to a sixth term.[10]Governing magazine projected the race as "safe Democratic".[11]
^"How Illinois Democrats won a statewide sweep and 2 pivotal congressional seats in the midterm elections". Chicago Tribune. November 7, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
^ ab"Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
^ ab"Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
^ abc"VOTER TURNOUT, CYBERSECURITY, AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION MARK EVENTFUL YEAR FOR SBE" (PDF). www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. December 21, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
^Aytaç, S. Erdem; Stokes, Susan (November 20, 2018). "Americans just set a turnout record for the midterms, voting at the highest rate since 1914. This explains why". Washington Post.
^ abcdefghij"2018 GENERAL PRIMARY - Election Results". Illinois State Board of Elections.
^ abcde"2018 GENERAL ELECTION - Election Results". Illinois State Board of Elections.
^Pearson, Rick (May 14, 2017). "Boxed in by father, Lisa Madigan seeks fifth term as Illinois attorney general". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
^Schlikerman, Becky (August 20, 2015). "Secretary of State Jesse White won't seek re-election". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
^Garcia, Monique (August 17, 2017). "Secretary of State Jesse White says he'll run for a record sixth term". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
^Jacobson, Louis (June 4, 2018). "Secretary of State Races Are More Competitive and Important Than Ever". Governing. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
^ abMiller, Rich (September 20, 2017). "Hastings circulating petitions for SoS and AG as Ald. Burnett declares he's not circulating". Capitol Fax. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
^Miller, Rich (October 5, 2017). "Rauner candidate emerges for secretary of state". Capitol Fax. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
^ abc"Rauner faces war on two fronts as Republican challenger Ives attacks", Chicago Tribune, December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
^Maxwell, Mark (July 20, 2017). "Iraq war vet could challenge Jesse White". WCIA. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
^"SJ-R Endorses Libertarian For Secretary Of State". www.wmay.com. WMAY. October 18, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
^Board, Daily Herald Editorial (October 10, 2018). "Endorsement: Daily Herald backs Jason Helland over Jesse White for secretary of state". Daily Herald. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
^"ENDORSEMENT: Jesse White for Illinois secretary of state". Chicago Sun-Times. October 10, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
^"Chicago Tribune Editorial Board endorsements in the 2018 Illinois midterm election". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. October 12, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
^Sterrett, Craig (February 12, 2018). "State, local candidates woo Democrats at La Salle". LaSalle News-Tribune. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
^Bishop, Greg (April 3, 2017). "Medical cannabis dispensary and third-party candidates look forward after court victory". Illinois News Network. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
^"Illinois Supreme Court elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 2, 2020.