Cook County Sheriff
November 3, 2026 · Cook County, Illinois · County · general
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Low · 0 out of 100
This district is large for its type, so each vote is a smaller slice of the outcome. About 5,182,090 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(5,182,090 ÷ 5,182,090) ÷ ln(5,182,090 ÷ 3,605) = 0, comparing counties in IL (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Low representation + unknown decisiveness → Below average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
Sheriff is responsible for:
- Running the county's law-enforcement department, including deputies and patrols
- Running the county jail
- Serving court orders, such as evictions and warrants
- Providing courthouse security in many counties
Affected Areas: Immigration, Public Safety and Crime Control, Gun Control, Data Privacy, Civil Rights
Candidates
Brad Sandefur
Libertarian · declared
Brad Sandefur is the 2026 Libertarian nominee for Cook County Sheriff and has worked for the Sheriff's Office since 1990. His experience includes correctional, police, tactical, investigative, training, supervisory, and shift-command roles. A former Marine Corps military police officer, he holds a master's degree in criminal justice with a forensic-psychology concentration.
Records: Public Safety and Crime Control 4 for
Thomas Dart
Democratic · Incumbent · declared
Thomas J. Dart has served as Cook County Sheriff since 2006. An attorney and former prosecutor, he previously served in the Illinois House and Senate and chaired House judiciary and prison-oversight committees. As sheriff he has led jail, police, court-services, diversion, reentry, community-policing, and public-safety programs.
Records: Civil Rights 4 for, Gun Control 1 for, Immigration 1 for, Public Safety and Crime Control 9 for
Election sources
Source: en.wikipedia.org