Illinois HB 723, nicknamed the protect incumbents act, passed the state legislature over a month ago. According to Illinois state law, Governor Quinn has until Tomorrow, August 26th, to veto the bill or it will become law.

“HB 723 would make it nearly impossible for third parties to slate candidates in Illinois,” said Free & Equal Chair Christina Tobin. “The bill would make it so that when no candidate of an established party runs in a primary for a particular office, that party can only fill the vacancy in nomination if the candidate they “slate” collects a large number of signatures.” Tobin has sent a letter on behalf of Free & Equal to the Governors office. To this date Free & Equal has received no response.

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation remains opposed to this corrupt legislation, which specifically targets the Green Party of Illinois, due to their major party status. Free & Equal held a press conference recently where Independent and Third Party activists discussed the barriers to Ballot Access that exist in Illinois.

Richard Winger of Ballot Access News weighed in at the press conference:  “Already Illinois voters have a shocking absence of candidates to vote for. In the November 2008 election, out of 157 state legislative races, there was no contest between a Democrat and a Republican in 86 of those races (in other words, over half!). And HB 723 will just make the lack of choice even worse.”

The Free & Equal Elections Foundation urges Governor Quinn to do the right thing and ensure that the voters of Illinois are not limited in their choices anymore than they are now.

Contact Governor Quinn and Urge Him to Veto HB 723!

Springfield
Office of the Governor
207 State House
Springfield, IL 62706
Phone: 217-782-0244
TTY: 888-261-3336

Chicago
Office of the Governor
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, 16-100
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: 312-814-2121