Illinois legislators face two paths regarding independent voters

Two bills before the Illinois legislature offer a stark contrast for reform. One would open up the ballot to more competition, while the other would restrict the right to run for office, for people who vote in a party primary.

HB 2009 is a bill which would make it illegal to run for office as an independent candidate, if a person votes in a party primary. Many independents choose to vote in Illinois’ open primary system, a system which has benefited political parties, since independents who vote in a primary are more likely to vote for that party in the general election. HB 2009 would take away their right to run for office as independents.

HB 2854 is a bill that would make it easier to run for office as an independent, especially for lower income candidates who cannot afford litigation. The bill would give candidates two choices for getting on the ballot: either the current system of gathering a very large number of signatures on a petition, often followed by extensive litigation; or a filing fee.

Illinois is one of the most difficult states in the nation for independent candidates. For instance, independents need to collect 25,000 signatures to get on the ballot for Governor, while Democrats and Republicans need only 5,000. If independents manage to do this, extensive challenges and litigation follow, based on obscure rules which are often selectively enforced.

As well as helping those not experienced with “working the system,” HB 2854 would help lower income candidates, as the cost of litigation is almost always higher than the proposed filing fee. The State must also pay employees for petition review and judicial proceedings, whereas filing fees would generate revenue instead.

“HB 2854 is a win-win for everyone except party bosses,” said Christina Tobin, Chair of The Free & Equal Elections Foundation, which recently wrote a letter supporting the bill. “HB 2009 would take away voting rights. Legislators face clear choices, and the people of Illinois are watching.”

Ballot access reform bills in 16 states nation-wide

CHICAGO (April 1) – In the coming weeks, legislators in at least 16 states will be working on legislation to curb unnecessary restrictions on voter choice. In some of these states, ballot access reforms have already made it into law. On March 16, Nebraska became the first state this year to enact ballot access reform, [...]

Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson to endorse Illinois ballot access bill

Free & Equal held a press conference with Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson to support HB2854, a bill in the Illinois legislature which would allow filing fees as an alternative to the petition process. The press conference took place on Thursday, March 24th at 10:45am CST, at Free & Equal’s Chicago office.

You can watch a video of the press conference here.

Illinois Representative Jim Watson introduces electoral reform bill

Illinois Representative Jim Watson to introduce electoral reform bill CHICAGO (Feb. 21) – Today, State Representative Jim Watson (R-97, Jacksonville) introduced

Free & Equal condemns non-inclusive Chicago mayoral debate

The Free and Equal Elections Foundation issued a statement today condemning WLS ABC Channel 7′s decision to hold a non-inclusive Chicago mayoral debate on February 17, 2011. WLS included only selected candidates, intentionally excluding other legally qualified candidates. “WLS ABC Channel 7 should follow the example set by WFLD Fox Channel 32, which during the [...]

More Articles

Language for proposed Illinois ballot access bill revealed

Free and Equal to Reveal Language in Proposed Illinois Ballot Access Bill

Free & Equal to hold press conference on filing fee bill at 11am tomorrow

NTUI to Hold Peoria Press Conference to Oppose 67% Income Tax Increase.