State Board of Elections Rules on Petition Challenges
The Illinois State Board of Elections office in Springfield.
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
The Illinois State Board of Elections Thursday ruled on around 15 challenges to nominating petitions of candidates for the March primary Thursday.
The Illinoize reviewed the hearing officer recommendations expected to be considered by the full board Thursday. Here are some notable rulings:
Republicans attempted to knock Democratic 95th District candidate Kristen Chiaro off the ballot because she had signed a Republican petition for the seat. She signed the petition for Republican Kelvin Coburn, who withdrew from the race. Chiaro, who is challenging Rep. Mike Coffey (R-Springfield), will stay on the ballot.
Republican August Deuser, who filed petitions to challenge Rep. Tim Ozinga (R-Mokena, is expected to be removed from the ballot. Deuser filed 557 signatures (500 is the minimum), 84 were ruled invalid, leaving him under the 500 minimum.
Republican Krystal Dorey, who filed to run in the 14th Congressional district, did not file enough valid signatures, just 406 of the 552 necessary in that district.
Republican Angela Evans, challenging Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) in the 116th district primary, will be allowed to stay on the ballot. She was accused of failing to file petitions that “contain[ed] a sworn oath that the Candidate has filed a statement of economic interests” with the Secretary of State. Records do show Evans filed her statement on November 27, the day she filed her petitions.
Republican 19th District Senate candidate Samantha Gasca was challenged because she listed the general election date instead of the primary election date on her filing documents. Gasca is in a three-way primary to face Sen. Mike Hastings (D-Frankfort). She will be allowed to stay on the ballot.
Congressman Jonathan Jackson (D-Chicago) will stay on the ballot after a challenge of his candidacy were overruled. The objection was because Jackson doesn’t live in his district, but a member of Congress isn’t required to live in their district, just in the state.
Democrat 79th District candidate Larry Kerkstra did not file his receipt of his Statement of Economic Interest filing, as required by law. Kerkstra was one of five Democrats hoping to challenge Rep. Jackie Hass (R-Bourbonnais). Kerkstra will be removed from the ballot.
Republican Charlie Kim will stay on the ballot for the 14th Congressional District. He was challenged because he had previously filed campaign finance paperwork in another congressional district as a Democrat, though he didn’t run. The hearing officer recommended dismissing the accusation because he never actually sought the office.
Mike Kirkton, a former Livingston County Board member and Republican 53rd District Senate candidate, filed around 1,100 signatures. After challenges, he is left with 1,007, seven more to qualify for the ballot. He’s staying on.
Republican 19th District Senate candidate Hillary Kurzawa also had her petitions challenged. The challenge alleged her filing name “Hillary Mattsey Kurzawa” did not match her voter registration “Hillary E. Kurzawa.” The hearing officer called the challenge “absurd and unsustainable.” She’s staying on the ballot.
Democrat Brian McCaslin is being removed from the ballot in his 58th District primary race against Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield). McCaslin filed 607 signatures, and about 150 were invalidated, dropping him under the 500 minimum.
As we told you yesterday, Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich) is expected to be removed from the ballot. Niemerg’s “Statement of Candidacy” was not notarized, as required by law, and he’ll get the boot.
Republican Donald Puckett filed 557 signatures to challenge Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) in the 43rd House District. More than 100 were invalid, knocking him under 500. He’s being removed from the ballot.
Republican 34th Senate District candidate Juan Reyes, who is already facing a host of criminal gun and fraud charges, only filed 616 signatures. 1,000 is the minimum. The hearing officer is recommending Reyes be removed from the ballot.
Republican Jensen Venskus filed exactly 500 signatures to challenge Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin (D-Olympia Fields) in the 38th House District. 91 weren’t valid. He’s being removed.
Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) was challenged because he failed to, essentially, check a box, that he had filed his Statement of Economic Interest with the Secretary of State. He did file the receipt, as required, and the statement was filed on November 27. Wilhour will stay on the ballot.
We expect some candidates who will be removed from the ballot to head to court.
