33 counties voted yes on separation
Non-binding separation referendums have been placed on the ballot in 33 Illinois counties, and every single one passed in favor of leaving.
Snapshot · Up First from NPR
The growing movement to secede from Illinois and become the 51st state
Explore episode
Jul 5, 2026
Where this was said
Lorette Newlin and the Referendum Strategy
At 10:39 · chapter starts 10:10
While G.H. Merritt provides New Illinois with its philosophical founding, Lorette Newlin provides its operational spine. Running her own parallel organization — the Illinois Separation Referendum — Newlin focuses relentlessly on mechanics: getting the question onto ballots. The advisory referendums are non-binding, but the results have been strikingly one-sided. Across 33 counties, Newlin has never lost: Fayette County (79%), Clay County (80%), Edgar County (83%). [1] — Ayesha Rascoe "33 for 33 — every referendum passed: The Illinois separation referendum has been placed on the ballot in 33 counties and passed in favor of…" 11:11 These are small counties, and they're easy to brush off. But then Madison County — 250,000 people, part of the St. Louis metro — voted yes too. After that, O'Neill reports, people started taking New Illinois more seriously. Newlin has petitioned courthouse squares, parking lots, and junkyards to gather signatures. She prefers going through county boards, and has lobbied them successfully — including Henderson County (6-2) and three southern Illinois counties that voted unanimously.
33 Counties, 33 Wins — The Referendum Map
Lorette Newlin has placed a non-binding separation referendum on the ballot in 33 Illinois counties and won every single one — some with 80%+ margins. When Madison County, with 250,000 people, voted yes, even skeptics started paying attention.
33 for 33 — every referendum passed
The Illinois separation referendum has been placed on the ballot in 33 counties and passed in favor of secession every single time, with some counties hitting 80–83% yes.
Edgar County: 83% voted yes
Edgar County voted 83% in favor of Illinois separation, one of the highest margins recorded in the New Illinois referendums.
Madison County: ~250,000 people voted yes
Madison County, part of the St. Louis metro area with roughly 250,000 residents, voted in favor of Illinois separation, giving the movement significant credibility.
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