1938 Illinois elections

In the primary election 2,550,642 ballots were cast (1,744,005 Democratic and 806,637 Republican).[1]

In the general election 3,274,814 ballots were cast.[1]

Incumbent Democrat William H. Dieterich retired. Democrat Scott W. Lucas was elected to succeed him.

All 27 Illinois seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 1940.

Republicans flipped four Democratic-held seats, making the composition of Illinois' House delegation 17 Democrats and 10 Republicans.

1938 Illinois State Treasurer election

November 8, 1938

Nominee Louie E. Lewis William R. McCauley Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,595,354 1,490,659 Percentage 51.53% 48.15%

Treasurer before election John C. Martin Democratic Elected Treasurer Louie E. Lewis Democratic

Incumbent Treasurer John C. Martin, a Democrat serving his second nonconsecutive term, did not seek reelection, instead opting to run for United States congress. Democrat Louie E. Lewis was elected to succeed him.

Incumbent congressman William G. Stratton won the Republican nomination.

1938 Illinois Superintendent of Public Instruction election

November 8, 1938

Nominee John A. Wieland Wiley B. Garvin Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,559,286½ 1,466,167 Percentage 51.35% 48.29%

Superintendent before election John A. Wieland Democratic Elected Superintendent John A. Wieland Democratic

Incumbent first-term Superintendent of Public Instruction John A. Wieland, a Democrat, won reelection.

1938 Illinois Clerk of the Supreme Court election

November 8, 1932

Nominee Adam F. Bloch George E. Lambur, Jr. Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 1,574,010 1,473,902 Percentage 51.47% 48.20%

Clerk before election Adam F. Bloch Democratic Elected Clerk Adam F. Bloch Democratic

Incumbent first-term Clerk of the Supreme Court, Democrat Adam F. Bloch, was reelected.

Seats in the Illinois Senate were up for election in 1938. Democrats retained control of the chamber.

Seats in the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 1938. Republicans flipped control of the chamber.

An election was held for three of nine seats for Trustees of University of Illinois. All three Democratic nominees won.[1]

Incumbent first-term Democrats Orville M. Karraker and Karl A. Meyer were reelected.[1][2] New Democratic member Frank A. Jensen was also elected.[1][2]

Incumbent Democrat was Nellie V. Freeman was not renominated.[2]

On June 27, 1938, one district of the Supreme Court of Illinois had a special elections.[1]

A special election was held for the seat of the court's 3rd district, after the death in office of Lott R. Herrick.[1] Republican Walter T. Gunn won the election.[1]

Two measures were put before voters in 1938, one a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, and one an advisory question ("question of public policy").[1][3]

The Illinois Banking Amendment, a proposed legislatively referred constitutional amendment to Sections 5, 6, 7 and 8, of Article XI of the 1870 Illinois Constitution, failed to meet the threshold for approval.[1][4] In order to be approved, legislatively referred constitutional amendments required approval equal to a majority of voters voting in the entire general election.[4][5]

If approved, this amendment would have made modifications to state banking rules that would have reduced the liability of bank stockholders.[4]

An advisory question was voted on, which asked voters whether the states United States congressmen should vote against a national military draft. Those who voted overwhelmingly instructed congressmen to vote against a national military draft.[6]