1950 Illinois elections

1950 was a midterm election year in the United States.

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]

Incumbent Senate Majority Leader Scott W. Lucas, a two-term incumbent Democratic senator, lost reelection to Republican Everett Dirksen.

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.

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 Theron W. Merryman,^[4] among others.

1950 Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction election

← 1946 November 7, 1950 1954 →

Nominee Vernon L. Nickell C. Hobart Engle Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,995,495 1,505,257 Percentage 56.77% 42.82%

Superintendent before election Vernon L. Nickell Republican Elected Superintendent Vernon L. Nickell Republican

Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction Vernon L. Nickell, a Republican, was reelected to a third term.

1950 Illinois Clerk of the Supreme Court election

← 1944 November 7, 1950 1956 →

Nominee Earle Benjamin Searcy Ora Smith Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 1,905,704 1,584,162 Percentage 54.42% 45.23%

Clerk before election Earle Benjamin Searcy Republican Elected Clerk Earle Benjamin Searcy Republican

Incumbent Clerk of the Supreme Court Earle Benjamin Searcy, a Republican, was reelected.

Illinois Treasurer Ora Smith won the Democratic primary, running unopposed.

Incumbent Earle Benjamin Searcy won the Republican primary, defeating three challengers.

Seats in the Illinois Senate were up for election in 1950. Republicans flipped control of the chamber.

Seats in the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 1950. Republicans remained in control of the chamber.

An election was held for three of nine seats for Trustees of University of Illinois.

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]

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.

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]

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]

Local elections were held.