What it takes to get on the ballot

Potential candidates for public office in Illinois have to navigate the state's Byzantine filing rules, which include guidelines for collecting nominating signatures and a series of documents that have to be filled out exactly and delivered in a specific way. A densely worded, 101-page candidate's guide was provided by the state this election, but as an example of how convoluted the filing process can be, there are eight different signature requirements for filing to run for municipal office depending on where you live, what office you're seeking, the form of government, and politics involved in the race. Candidates for other local offices face similar sets of guidelines. Here are the rules for the number of nominating signatures needed for candidates for municipal office.

Municipal (Commission form): At least 1 percent of total ballots cast in last mayoral election.

Municipal (Mayor-Alderman form/established party): Half of 1 percent of the qualified primary electors of the ward or political subdivision.

Municipal (Mayor-Alderman form/new party): At least 5 percent of the total number of ballots cast in last regular election of the ward or political subdivision.

Municipal (Mayor-Alderman form/independent): At least 5 percent, but not more than 8 percent (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater), of ballots cast in last regular election of the ward or political subdivision.

Municipal (Mayor-Alderman form/nonpartisan city): At least 5 percent, but not more than 8 percent (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater), of ballots cast in last regular election of the ward or political subdivision.

Municipal (Mayor-Alderman form/nonpartisan village): At least 1 percent of total ballots cast in the last village president election.

Municipal (Council-Manager form): At least 1 percent of total ballots cast in last election for mayor/president.

Municipal (City of Chicago): At least 12,500 legal voters of the city.