Turnout in the primary election was 30.09%, with a total of 1,817,804 ballots cast. 1,174,231 Democratic and 643,573 Republican primary ballots were cast.[1]
Turnout during the general election was 52.23%, with 3,084,675 ballots cast.[1]
The election saw the election of new members, Democrats Robert J. Lenz, Nina T. Shepherd, and Arthur R. Velasquez.[1][2]
First-term Republican Russel W. Steger, and fellow Republican Timothy W. Swain (who had been appointed in 1955, and had been elected to three full terms since) both lost reelection.[1][2] Third-term Republican Earl M. Hughes was not renominated.[1][2]
Trustees of the University of Illinois election[1][2]
Multiple judicial positions were up for election in 1974.[1]
Ballot measure
Illinois voters voted on a single ballot measure in 1974.[3] In order to be approved, the measure required either 60% support among those specifically voting on the measure or 50% support among all ballots cast in the elections.[3]
This marked the first time that Illinois voters voted on a proposed amendment to the 1970 Constitution of Illinois following its adoption.[3]
Restrict Governor's Amendatory Veto Power Amendment
Voters rejected the Restrict Governor's Amendatory Veto Power Amendment, a measure which would have amended Amends Article IV, Section 9, Paragraph (e) of the Constitution of Illinois failed to meet either threshold to amend the constitution.[3] It would have restricted the amendatory veto power given to the governor, which allows the governor to return bills to the legislature with suggested changes.[4]
Restrict Governor's Amendatory Veto Power Amendment[1][3][4]