Updated on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 12:34 a.m. CT
URBANA – Democratic incumbent Aaron Ammons is leading in the Champaign County clerk’s race with 100% of precincts reporting, according to unofficial results.
He leads Republican challenger Alan Anderson 53% to 46%.
Since mail-in votes may still be counted if they are postmarked and arrive up to two weeks after Election Day, some races may remain too close to call Tuesday night.
The race comes after Ammons and his wife, State Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana), were federally indicted on a combined 11 counts of wire fraud and obstruction of justice in July. The Ammonses plead not guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count of obstruction of justice related to his wife’s alleged misuse of her political campaign fund and redirection of state grant funding to pay their daughter.
“I think it’s pretty obvious that the voters are responding to the allegations against me,” Clerk Ammons said when asked about the close margin Tuesday night.
Ammons is running for his third term as clerk. Prior to serving as county clerk, he served as an Urbana city council member, according to the Champaign County Clerk’s website.
He cofounded a grassroots organization, Champaign Urbana Citizens for Peace and Justice, and also worked for the University of Illinois for 17 years.
Ammons’ campaign focused on promoting his work in office, including administering three elections during the COVID-19 pandemic, modernizing the office, expanding voter accessibility and increasing election security.
Anderson, a former computer programmer and businessowner, has contended throughout the campaign that the clerk’s office is not run accurately or efficiently, citing ballot issues, property tax errors and funding delays during Ammons’ tenure.
State Rep. Ammons won reelection Tuesday night for her seat, according to unofficial results. She ran unopposed.