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* From a Thursday Tribune editorial…
State election officials say the campaign to change how Illinois draws its legislative maps came up way short of the signatures needed to get its measure on the November ballot. Yes for Independent Maps says it can prove otherwise.
It’s a steep hill to climb. Why is the State Board of Elections determined to block the path?
Could it be because this is a campaign to take power from the politicians and give it to the people?
The conspiracy, according to the Tribune, revolves around a hearing officer’s ruling to extend a deadline for the proponents to come up with the evidence to challenge the tossed out signatures. Instead of extending the deadline a week, as the hearing officer ruled, the state board voted to extend it by only a single day. The Trib is outraged…
Campaign workers are scrambling to “rehabilitate” many of the rejected signatures. To do so, they have to get certified copies of voter registration documents from 70 local elections offices. They have to visit individual voters and obtain affidavits swearing that yes, that’s their signature.
It’s difficult, time-intensive work. […]
The board needs to extend the deadline. The people of Illinois deserve that much.
* But in a fundraising appeal today, the Yes for Independent Maps Coalition claims to have gathered all the evidence it needs…
We’re about to deliver evidence to the Illinois State Board of Elections, showing what you’ve known all along: That our bipartisan coalition collected enough signatures to earn a place on the ballot. Can you help us keep the momentum going by contributing $25 today?
The last few weeks of deadline fiascoes and political grandstanding have only confirmed our suspicions that those in power don’t want to see reform come to Illinois. That’s too bad, because the more than 500,000 people who signed our petition think otherwise.
Time and again, the doubters and cynics have written us off. But instead of wringing our hands, we’re fighting to build a better Illinois. Keep us on this path by contributing $25 right now!
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 1:14 pm
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The “outrage” is that you could take that much cash to peddle a “Mom and Apple Pie” amendment and come up so short because of shoddy work.
Seriously, an anti-gerrymandering amendment? That’s a heavy lift. with all that money behind it?
There’s some people here whose future in paid-politics is very much in doubt.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 1:21 pm
I’m skeptical, wordslinger, but I hope you are right.
The contrast between Rauner’s effort and this effort was stark. At the end of the day, a whole lot of money looks to have been wasted on what should have been an achievable task.
I hope those in charge of this effort are held accountable professionally. As one who attended their Springfield “victory” celebration on the day they filed, the room was not short of hubris. Apparently, it was short on results.
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 1:35 pm
I agree that the deadline should be extended. But Word is right - how happy can the big shot donors be that this effort could fail?! People like Mayor Bloomberg and the Griffins can easily bury people.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 1:35 pm
One thing I forgot to mention. The Board is making this look terrible by not accepting the recommendation of their hearing officer and extending for one week. That is certainly giving ammunition to the “conspiracy theory” crowd.
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 1:43 pm
–The contrast between Rauner’s effort and this effort was stark–
LL, that simple fact was apparently lost on the deep thinkers in Tribbie Tower.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 1:45 pm
YIMC might also be claiming to be on the verge of victory to raise enough money to pay its staff and old bills.
It would not be the first time a campaign sent a last-minute appeal claiming to be on the verge of victory only to go down in absolute flames.
If, indeed, they are on the verge, they will have no problem raising money right after they get on the ballot.
Folks, take my advice: don’t crack open your wallets just yet.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 1:46 pm
=== certainly giving ammunition to the “conspiracy theory” crowd.===
Nothing short of officially siding with that crowd will ever stop their theories. See related: Fracking.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 2:23 pm
This group would not have had to have devolved into a bunch of conspiracy theory nuts if they had been vigilant in gathering valid signatures on their petitions to begin with.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jun 6, 14 @ 2:26 pm