Constitutional Amendment Question; Congressional, Judicial Races

Full Effingham County election numbers are located here

With 85% of the votes counted as of 9am, the proposed amendment to the Illinois Constitution appears near approval.

The count on the question is Yes 1,927,678, No 1,354,999. That means 58.7% of those voting on the question have voted Yes. 

The qualifications for the amendment to pass is by three-fifths margin of those who voted on the question, or a simple majority of those who voted in Tuesday's election.

The last count on the 12th District Congressional race is with 78% of the votes counted. Republican Mike Bost of Edwardsville has 75.2% of the vote to 24.8% for Democrat Chip Markel of Carbondale. The winner will become Congressman for Effingham County and much of the area around the county. 

Congresswoman Mary Miller chose to run in the 15th Congressional District. With 94% of the precincts reporting, Miller had 71.4% of the vote to 28.6% for Democrat Paul Lange. Miller will now represent a district north and west of Effingham County. 

All four 4th Judicial Circuit judges received enough support to be retained. That includes Judges Douglas Jarman, Michael McHaney, Bradley Paisley and Mark Stedelin. 

McHaney was also running Tuesday for the 5th Judicial District Appellate Court and appeared to be leading Brian Roberts by a large margin in that contest. That would mean another circuit judge would be needed to fill McHaney's vacancy. 

Also, Effingham County Resident Circuit Judge Bryan Kibler received 12,184 votes in the first election since being appointed to the bench earlier this year. He was unopposed in the race.

Joshua Morrison was elected Fayette County Resident Circuit Judge Tuesday, defeating Judge Marc Kelly, to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Don Sheafor. Kelly will still be on the bench, but Morrison, who has been serving as Fayette County State's Attorney, will now be Resident Circuit Judge for Fayette County.

In addition, Judge Chad Miller was elected Jasper County Resident Circuit Judge. Miller, the former Jasper County State's Attorney, was earlier appointed to the bench when Daniel Hartigan retired. Miller ran unopposed in Tuesday's balloting, receiving 3,982 votes.