New parties sue over Illinois election rules | Illinois Times - Rebecca Anzel:
April 9, 2020 - "Social distancing and stay-at-home orders, instituted to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic, are in direct conflict with Illinois’ ballot eligibility requirements, the Libertarian and Green parties of Illinois allege in a lawsuit filed Thursday. Both are considered 'new' parties under state election rules, meaning a candidate running for office under those banners must receive a greater number of in-person petition signatures than those with 'established' parties — typically, the Democrats and Republicans.
"Libertarians and Greens have from March 24 until June 22 to gather enough signatures — in person with a canvasser watching — to qualify for inclusion on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. But party officials allege meeting that threshold will be 'practically impossible' given Gov. JB Pritzker’s social distancing and stay-at-home orders.
"The parties are asking that Illinois’ signature collection mandates be waived or suspended this general election cycle so their candidates may be on the ballot, and also that the state reimburse their attorney’s fees. Pritzker’s office did not respond to separate letters sent from the two parties in mid-March, nor did a spokesperson return a request for comment from Capitol News Illinois.
"The Illinois State Board of Elections, in a letter, said it is unable to assist.... It would take a court order or the General Assembly amending current law to address this concern, an elections board spokesperson said.
"Candidates running as Democrats or Republicans already have a guaranteed spot on the general election ballot. Under statute, the parties were allowed to petition in autumn and candidates were chosen in the March primary election. Those running under the banner of a 'new' party or independent must collect petition signatures in the spring.
"An 'established' party candidate for president ... needs at least 3,000 signatures or more if someone challenges their validity. That same person would need 5,000 signatures to run for U.S. Senate. Independents or those in a 'new' party, including Libertarians and Greens, need at least 25,000 signatures for both positions.....
"The Libertarian and Green parties point to action taken by other states as examples of what Illinois’ government should consider. Voters in Arizona and New Jersey can sign candidates’ petitions electronically and those in Denver, Colorado, and the District of Columbia can use an application called E-Sign, which validates signatures against voter rolls."
April 9, 2020 - "Social distancing and stay-at-home orders, instituted to combat the novel coronavirus pandemic, are in direct conflict with Illinois’ ballot eligibility requirements, the Libertarian and Green parties of Illinois allege in a lawsuit filed Thursday. Both are considered 'new' parties under state election rules, meaning a candidate running for office under those banners must receive a greater number of in-person petition signatures than those with 'established' parties — typically, the Democrats and Republicans.
"Libertarians and Greens have from March 24 until June 22 to gather enough signatures — in person with a canvasser watching — to qualify for inclusion on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. But party officials allege meeting that threshold will be 'practically impossible' given Gov. JB Pritzker’s social distancing and stay-at-home orders.
"The parties are asking that Illinois’ signature collection mandates be waived or suspended this general election cycle so their candidates may be on the ballot, and also that the state reimburse their attorney’s fees. Pritzker’s office did not respond to separate letters sent from the two parties in mid-March, nor did a spokesperson return a request for comment from Capitol News Illinois.
"The Illinois State Board of Elections, in a letter, said it is unable to assist.... It would take a court order or the General Assembly amending current law to address this concern, an elections board spokesperson said.
"Candidates running as Democrats or Republicans already have a guaranteed spot on the general election ballot. Under statute, the parties were allowed to petition in autumn and candidates were chosen in the March primary election. Those running under the banner of a 'new' party or independent must collect petition signatures in the spring.
"An 'established' party candidate for president ... needs at least 3,000 signatures or more if someone challenges their validity. That same person would need 5,000 signatures to run for U.S. Senate. Independents or those in a 'new' party, including Libertarians and Greens, need at least 25,000 signatures for both positions.....
"The Libertarian and Green parties point to action taken by other states as examples of what Illinois’ government should consider. Voters in Arizona and New Jersey can sign candidates’ petitions electronically and those in Denver, Colorado, and the District of Columbia can use an application called E-Sign, which validates signatures against voter rolls."
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