Write-ins trigger primaries in three more races Nine people have filed statements declaring themselves write-in candidates for Evanston city offices, triggering primary elections in three more races. Nine people have filed statements declaring themselves write-in candidates for Evanston city offices, triggering primary elections in three more races. And with Thursday the deadline for declaring a write-in candidacy that would trigger a primary, it’s possible even more aldermanic contests could end up with primaries. Under state law a primary is held if there are more than four candidates in the race for any office — including both those who have filed nominating petitions to appear on the ballot and those who have filed a declaration that they’re running a write-in campaign.