The Ballot Brief
DeKalb County, Illinois

DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term)

As of November 4, 2026, the Shaw Local (Daily Chronicle) reported that Colton Otto led the race for DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term); the result is unofficial until Illinois certifies it on December 4. See where Griffin-Lappe and Otto stand on taxes, schools and health care. Names follow official DeKalb County election filings. Certified results will appear here once the election office certifies the count. Illinois certifies the general election by December 4, 2026; county canvasses are due November 24. Official results: www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx.

About this race

Traci L Griffin-Lappe is the Democratic nominee and Colton Otto is the Republican nominee for the remaining two years of an unexpired District 12 term, per the DeKalb County Clerk & Recorder's certified local candidates list.

What this office does

County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

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Illinois › DeKalb County › DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term)

Who won? The official answer comes December 4.

Illinois makes results final in three steps.
✓
Done · Nov 3
Votes were cast and counted
Election night totals are a first count, not the final one.
2
Happening now · by Nov 24
DeKalb County double-checks its count
The county reviews mail ballots, provisional ballots and any recount, then sends official totals to the state.
3
Next · Dec 4
Illinois makes it official
The State Board of Elections certifies the result. The winner appears on this page that day.

What local news is reporting

Not official yetUpdated November 4, 2026

This report is cited to the outlet that published it. We do not call races. Official running count: Illinois official results.

DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term)
Colton Otto led the race for DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term) with 6 of 6 precincts reporting, unofficial, the Shaw Local (Daily Chronicle) reported.Shaw Local (Daily Chronicle), “Unofficial results show DeKalb County Board going blue”, November 4, 2026. Unofficial until certified.

Reports are checked daily until Illinois certifies on December 4; a certified winner replaces the report on that day.

Traci L Griffin-Lappe

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Wants to expand health care access, including obstetric and newborn care for underserved communities
  • Supports property tax relief and funding for public education
Biography

Traci L. Griffin-Lappe works as a swim-lesson coordinator and instructor at the Fox Valley YMCA, with more than 20 years of teaching experience, per the DeKalb County Democratic Party. She is a Sandwich resident and Yorkville High School graduate who holds a phlebotomy technician certification from Waubonsee Community College, per the same source. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.

Colton Otto

Republican

Biography

Colton Otto appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term), per the official candidate list. No campaign website was found as of September 23, 2026.

Next on the ballotIllinois Senate District 35

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Voting info and more

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Questions about this race

Who is running for DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term) in 2026?

As of November 4, 2026, the Shaw Local (Daily Chronicle) reported that Colton Otto led the race for DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term); the result is unofficial until Illinois certifies it on December 4. 2 candidates were tracked for DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term) on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Traci L Griffin-Lappe and Colton Otto. Candidate information follows official DeKalb County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on taxes, schools and health care.

When is the DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term) election in Illinois?

Election Day was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Certified results will appear on this page as the election office certifies them. Illinois certifies the general election by December 4, 2026; county canvasses are due November 24. Official results: https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx. Voting rules for Illinois are on the Illinois election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact DeKalb County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Who won the DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term) race?

As of November 4, 2026, the Shaw Local (Daily Chronicle) reported that Colton Otto led the race for DeKalb County Board, District 12 (2-year unexpired term); the result is unofficial until Illinois certifies it on December 4. Source: Shaw Local (Daily Chronicle), "Unofficial results show DeKalb County Board going blue", November 4, 2026. We do not call races.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official DeKalb County and state election office filings, last verified October 24, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Illinois election office, or see the full DeKalb County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your DeKalb County ballot

26 tracked races in DeKalb County, Illinois. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on the November 3 ballot
Illinois Senate District 38Illinois Senate District 45Illinois House District 70See all 26 DeKalb County races
Candidate profiles
Traci L Griffin-Lappe, full profileColton Otto, full profileOfficial Illinois election office