Christina Tobin, founder of Free and Equal Elections Foundation, released a statement today in response to an email recently put out by the Cook County Republicans on behalf of the Illinois Republican Party.
The email started with a shocking admission by Illinois Republicans that they intend to challenge candidates’ petitions based on the potential political impact it will have on their party rather than Republicans acting in the best interests of the voters or the principles behind democratic elections:
“The Illinois GOP is diverting all efforts to challenge those candidates’ petitions that may have a negative impact on OUR Republican nominees (it is our belief that these candidates will steal votes from Republicans.)”
“The email the Cook County Republicans put out shows a complete disregard for Illinois voters and our American democracy,” said Christina Tobin. “The tradition in Illinois of knocking political competition off the ballot is more reminiscent of what we saw in the former Soviet Union than what our country’s founders intended. Illinois Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for engaging in this anti-democratic activity.”
In 1998, The Chicago Tribune reported that 73 state employees worked for Republican George Ryan’s campaign on a petition challenge that knocked the Libertarian Party candidates off the ballot. Their report also showed 19 state employees were still on the taxpayer clock while working on the challenge. George Ryan went on the defeat Glen Poshard in November after the petition challenge removed Libertarian candidate for Governor Jim Tobin.
“We’ve seen this type of democracy killing behavior for years in Illinois, from Republicans and Democrats, so this is no surprise. Today, I’d like to warn Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and the US Attorneys in Illinois to keep a very close eye out for the kind of illegal activity surrounding petition challenges that this state has seen in the past.”
“Illinois Republicans need to be reminded that these petition challenges are costly to taxpayers also. Illinois Republicans are costing the taxpayers money because they selfishly feel entitled to having a ballot without much competition on it. Don’t let me leave out Illinois Democrats either, because they are usually worse about costing this state money with frivolous petition challenges.”
“Free and Equal Elections calls for Illinois to reform their ballot access laws and abolish the current private petition challenge system for the good of all Illinois voters. The mess surrounding petition challenges that Illinois will see in the coming months should prove, yet again, the need for real electoral reform in Illinois. Article III, Section 3 of the Illinois Constitution says ‘All Elections Shall Be Free And Equal’, and it’s time the Republicans and Democrats started honoring and following that democratic principle,” said Christina Tobin.
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This is the entire text of the Republican email:
From: Republican Organization of Lyons Township <>
Subject: Attention EVERY Republican!
To:
Date: Sunday, June 20, 2010, 12:55 PM
Everyone – Now is the time!
The Illinois GOP is diverting all efforts to challenge those candidates’ petitions that may have a negative impact on OUR Republican nominees (it is our belief that these candidates will steal votes from Republicans.) Starting Tuesday through Saturday it is a must that we fill up all terminals.
All the Committeemen, Precinct Captains and Republicans (County, township and ward) statewide are being asked to divert their time and volunteers to this effort. We have 25 terminals and must fill those throughout the week to achieve victory in 2010.
This information is time sensitive – -One hour or two hours is needed CALL NOW.
For more information or to help in this effort, please contact ASAP:
Lyons Township contact:
Ray Hodson 0r John Small
Precinct Captain Coordinators
or
Jonathan Callaway
Director of Volunteers
Cook County Republican Party
Thank you.
Executive Committee Republican Organization of Lyons Township
