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Former State Elections Board Chair Weighs In On Petition Challenges

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Challenges to petition signatures for individuals seeking local office such as council-person or mayor happen occasionally. But many of the candidates in this spring's municipal election in Bloomington faced about a half-dozen challenges before the ballot could be published last month. 

Bloomington resident Jesse Smart was involved in the process, which unfolded in December, and has served not only as Bloomington mayor, but also as chair of the Illinois Board of Elections. Smart was enlisted by current Mayor Tari Renner to help guide the incumbent through two petition challenges brought by private citizens.

Beyond Renner's challenges, which were eventually dropped, some candidates for alderman also had their petition signatures challenged. All of the challenges were ended before the Bloomington Election Commission could render a final decision.

During Sound Ideas, Smart said, currently any private citizen living in the jurisdiction in question can challenge petition signatures with the costs born by those being challenged, or the governing body. He suggests the system be changed so the challenger bears some of the financial burden.

"Maybe the general assembly could pass a law to have some penalty for people that lost the case. If the loser had to pay the expense, like it is on a lot of legal things, they'd probably stop it," Smart said.

One of the council candidates who had his petition signatures challenged before the case was dropped suggested the end of cursive writing could impact how cases are handled in the future. Smart said it's possible the signature requirements will be changed to allow for printed names.

"They're now accepting printed signatures in a lot of places," Smart said. "If that is adopted, it would make it easier for candidates to get their petitions through," he added. 

 

Willis is a Bloomington, IL, native. During his senior year at Bloomington High School, he finished third in the "Radio Speaking" division of the state speech contest, the only year he competed.