Elections were held in Illinois on Tuesday, November 6, 1956.[1]

Quick Facts Turnout ...
1956 Illinois elections

 1954 November 6, 1956 1958 
Turnout85.95%
Close

Primaries were held on April 10, 1956.[1][2]

The results strongly favored the Republican Party,[3] which retained control both chambers of the Illinois General Assembly as well as all statewide elected executive offices. They also won the state in the presidential election, retained the U.S. Senate seat up for election, and flipped a single U.S. House seat.

Election information

Turnout

In the primary election turnout was 36.96%, with a total of 1,839,577 ballots cast (961,999 Democratic and 877,578 Republican).[1][2][4]

In the general election turnout was 85.95%, with a total of 4,484,956 ballots cast.[1][5][6]

Federal elections

United States President

Illinois voted for the Republican ticket of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon. For the second consecutive election, Illinois' vote for the Republican Eisenhower-Nixon ticket came despite the fact that former Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson II was the Democratic presidential nominee.

United States Senate

Republican Senator Everett Dirksen was reelected to a second term.

United States House

All 25 Illinois seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 1956.

The Republicans flipped one Democratic-held seat, leaving the composition of Illinois' House delegation to consist of 14 Republicans and 11 Democrats.

State elections

Governor

Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
1956 Illinois gubernatorial election

 1952 November 6, 1956 1960 
Turnout82.69%[1][6]
  Thumb Thumb
Nominee William Stratton Richard B. Austin
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,171,786 2,134,909
Percentage 50.34% 49.48%

Governor before election

William Stratton
Republican

Elected Governor

William Stratton
Republican

Close

Incumbent Governor William Stratton, a Republican, narrowly won reelection to a second term.

General election

Herbert C. Paschen was replaced by Richard B. Austin as Democratic nominee.

More information Party, Candidate ...
Gubernatorial election[1][5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William G. Stratton (incumbent) 2,171,786 50.34
Democratic Richard B. Austin 2,134,909 49.48
Socialist Labor Edward C. Cross 7,874 0.18
Write-in Others 42 0.00
Total votes 4,314,611 100
Close

Lieutenant governor

Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
1956 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election

 1952 November 6, 1956 1960 
Turnout80.74%[1][6]
  Thumb
Nominee John William Chapman Roscoe Bonjean
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,240,542 1,964,722
Percentage 53.18% 46.64%

Lieutenant Governor before election

John William Chapman
Republican

Elected Lieutenant Governor

John William Chapman
Republican

Close

Incumbent lieutenant governor John William Chapman, a Republican, won reelection to a second term.

Democratic primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Lieutenant Governor Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Roscoe Bonjean 441,873 63.15
Democratic James L. Griffin 257,884 36.85
Write-in Others 5 0.00
Total votes 699,762 100
Close

Republican primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Lieutenant Governor Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John William Chapman (incumbent) 655,018 100
Write-in Others 4 0.00
Total votes 655,022 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
Lieutenant Governor election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John William Chapman (incumbent) 2,240,542 53.18
Democratic Roscoe Bonjean 1,964,722 46.64
Socialist Labor Frank Schnur 7,540 0.18
Total votes 4,212,804 100
Close

Attorney general

Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
1956 Illinois Attorney General election

 1952 November 6, 1956 1960 
Turnout80.92%[1][6]
  Thumb Thumb
Nominee Latham Castle James L. O'Keefe
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,310,346 1,904,439
Percentage 54.72% 45.11%

Attorney General before election

William L. Guild
Republican

Elected Attorney General

William G. Clark
Democratic

Close

Incumbent attorney general Latham Castle, a Republican, was elected to a second term.

Democratic primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Attorney General Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James L. O'Keefe 651,226 100
Write-in Others 1 0.00
Total votes 651,227 100
Close

Republican primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Attorney General Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Latham Castle (incumbent) 655,115 100
Democratic Write-in 4 0.00
Total votes 655,119 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
Attorney General election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Latham Castle (incumbent) 2,310,346 54.72
Democratic James L. O'Keefe 1,904,439 45.11
Socialist Labor George P. Milonas 7,460 0.18
Total votes 4,222,245 100
Close

Secretary of State

Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
1960 Illinois Secretary of State election

 1952 November 6, 1956 1960 
Turnout81.89%[1][6]
 
Nominee Charles F. Carpentier David F. Mallet
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,432,954 1,832,677
Percentage 56.94% 42.89%

Thumb
County results
Carpentier:     50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Mallet:      50–60%      60–70%

Secretary of State before election

Charles F. Carpentier
Republican

Elected Secretary of State

Charles F. Carpentier
Republican

Close

Incumbent Secretary of State Charles F. Carpentier, a Republican, was reelected to a second term.

Democratic primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Secretary of State Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David F. Mallet 650,286 100
Democratic Write-in 2 0.00
Total votes 650,288 100
Close

Republican primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Secretary of State Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles F. Carpentier (incumbent) 609,658 80.18
Republican Nicholas J. Bohling 150,704 19.82
Write-in Others 1 0.00
Total votes 760,363 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
Secretary of State election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles F. Carpentier (incumbent) 2,432,954 56.94
Democratic David F. Mallet 1,832,677 42.89
Socialist Labor Gregory P. Lyngas 7,260 0.17
Write-in Others 1 0.00
Total votes 4,272,892 100
Close

Auditor of Public Accounts

Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
1960 Illinois Auditor of Public Accounts election

 1952 November 6, 1956 1960 
Turnout80.87%[1][6]
  Thumb Thumb
Nominee Elbert S. Smith Michael Howlett
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,217,229 1,992,707
Percentage 52.55% 47.23

Auditor of Public Accounts before election

Lloyd Morey
Republican

Elected Auditor of Public Accounts

Elbert S. Smith
Republican

Close

Auditor of Public Accounts Orville Hodge, who had been elected in 1952, was seeking re-election and had won the Republican primary before being charged with 54 counts of bank fraud, embezzlement and forgery relating to a $6.15 million fraud he committed against the state; Hodge was removed from office, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 12 to 15 years in prison.

Lloyd Morey was appointed in 1957 to replace Hodge, but decided not to seek reelection. Republican Elbert S. Smith was elected to succeed Morey.

Democratic primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Auditor of Public Accounts Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael J. Howlett 644,184
Total votes 644,184 100
Close

Republican primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Auditor of Public Accounts Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Orville Hodge (incumbent) 672,439 100
Democratic Write-in 2 0.00
Total votes 672,441 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
Auditor of Public Accounts election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Elbert S. Smith 2,217,229 52.55
Democratic Michael J. Howlett 1,992,707 47.23
Socialist Labor Stanley L. Prorok 9,468 0.22
Total votes 4,219,404 100
Close

Treasurer

Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
1956 Illinois State Treasurer election

 1954 November 6, 1956 1958 
Turnout80.80%[1][6]
  Thumb Thumb
Nominee Elmer J. Hoffman Arthur L. Hellyer
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,226,340 1,981,234
Percentage 52.81% 47.00%

Treasurer before election

Warren Wright
Republican

Elected Treasurer

Elmer J. Hoffman
Republican

Close

Incumbent Treasurer Warren Wright, a Republican, did not seek reelection to a second-consecutive (third overall) term, instead opting to run (ultimately unsuccessfully) for the Republican nomination for governor. Republican Elmer J. Hoffman was elected to succeed him in office, earning Hoffman a second non-consecutive term as Treasurer.

This was the first Illinois Treasurer election to a four-year term, as voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1954 which extended term length from two to four-years beginning in 1956.

Democratic primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Treasurer Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Arthur L. Hellyer 635,633 100
Write-in Others 1 0.00
Total votes 635,634 100
Close

Republican primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Treasurer Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Elmer J. Hoffman 666,961 100
Write-in Others 8 0.00
Total votes 666,969 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
Treasurer election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Elmer J. Hoffman 2,226,340 52.81
Democratic Arthur L. Hellyer 1,981,234 47.00
Socialist Labor Rudolph Kosle 8,244 0.20
Total votes 4,215,818 100
Close

Clerk of the Supreme Court

Quick Facts Turnout, Nominee ...
1956 Illinois Clerk of the Supreme Court election

 1950 November 6, 1956 1962 
Turnout80.53%[1][6]
 
Nominee Fae Searcy James P. Alexander
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,285,311 1,909,378
Percentage 54.39% 45.44%

Clerk before election

Fae Searcy
Republican

Elected Clerk

Fae Searcy
Republican

Close

Incumbent Clerk of the Supreme Court Fae Searcy, a Republican appointed after the death in office of her husband Earle Benjamin Searcy, won reelection to a first full term.

Instead of being listed by her own name, Searcy opted to be listed on the ballot in both the primary and general election as "Ms. Earle Benjamin Searcy".[1][2][5]

Democratic primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Clerk of the Supreme Court Democratic primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic James P. Alexander 631,400 100
Write-in Others 6 0.00
Total votes 631,406 100
Close

Republican primary

More information Party, Candidate ...
Clerk of the Supreme Court Republican primary[2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fae Searcy (incumbent) 647,649 100
Write-in Others 1 0.00
Total votes 647,650 100
Close

General election

More information Party, Candidate ...
Clerk of the Supreme Court election[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fae Searcy (incumbent) 2,285,311 54.39
Democratic James P. Alexander 1,909,378 45.44
Socialist Labor Walter J. Leibfritz 7,279 0.17
Total votes 4,201,968 100
Close

State Senate

Seats of the Illinois Senate were up for election in 1960. Republicans retained control of the chamber.

State House of Representatives

Seats in the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 1956. Republicans retained control of the chamber.

Trustees of University of Illinois

Quick Facts
1956 Trustees of University of Illinois election
 1954 November 6, 1956 1958 
Close

An election using cumulative voting was held for three of the nine seats for Trustees of University of Illinois.[5] All three Republican nominees won.[5] The election was for 6-year terms.

Incumbent Republican Wayne A. Johnston won a second term.[7] Incumbent Republican Timothy W. Swain, appointed in 1955 after the resignation of Red Grange, won election to his first full term.[7] Also, joining them in winning election, was Republican Earl M. Hughes.[5][7] Incumbent first-term Republican Herbert B. Megran had not been nominated for reelection.[5][7]

More information Party, Candidate ...
Trustees of the University of Illinois election[5][7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Wayne A. Johnston (incumbent) 2,301,855 18.37
Republican Timothy W. Swain (incumbent) 2,280,467 18.19
Republican Earl M. Hughes 2,232,759 17.81
Democratic Joseph Bruce Campbell 1,930,866 15.41
Democratic Richard J. Nelson 1,889,835½ 14.95
Democratic Don Forsyth 1,873,181 14.95
Socialist Labor Elizabeth W. White 8,996 0.07
Socialist Labor Henry Schilling 8,216 0.07
Socialist Labor Albert Bikar 7,910 0.06
Total votes 12,534,085½ 100
Close

Judicial elections

On April 10, special elections were held for vacancies on the Third and Sixteenth Judicial Circuit Districts. On November 2, special elections were held for three vacancies on the Superior Court of Cook County.[1]

Ballot measures

Two ballot measures, were put before Illinois voters in 1956.

General Banking Law Amendment

Voters approved the General Banking Law Amendment a legislatively referred state statute which modified the state's banking law.[8]

More information Candidate, Votes ...
General Banking Law Amendment[1][5][6]
Candidate Votes  %
Yes 1,472,236 76.84
No 443,650 23.16
Total votes 1,915,886 100
Voter turnout 36.72%
Close

Revenue Amendment

The Revenue Amendment, a legislatively referred constitutional amendment which would have amended Article IX Sections 1, 2, 3, 9 and 10 and repeal Article IX Section 13 of the 1870 Constitution of Illinois to give more leeway to the legislature in creating tax policy, while specifically forbidding the authorization of a graduated income tax, failed to meet either threshold for adoption.[5][9] In order for constitutional amendments to pass, they required either two-thirds support among those specifically voting on the measure or 50% support among all ballots cast in the elections.[10][11]

More information Option, Votes ...
Revenue Amendment[1][5][6]
Option Votes  % of votes

on measure

 % of all ballots
cast
Yes 2,139,150 60.30 47.70
No 1,408,132 39.70 31.40
Total votes 3,547,282 100 79.09
Voter turnout 67.98%
Close

Local elections

Local elections were held.

References

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