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Governor sets special election dates, but they are expected to change

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Illinois

* From a press release…

Governor Bruce Rauner today issued writs of election as required by law to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of former U.S. Representative Aaron Schock.

The writs include election dates compliant with the 115-day timeline required by Illinois law, but the dates will be modified after the state enters into a consent decree to comply with the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

The Administration expects the actual dates for the Special Primary Election and Special Election each will be delayed several weeks from the dates indicated in the writs of election. Governor Rauner will issue amended writs of election with the revised election dates after the consent decree is entered.

As prescribed by Illinois law, the first day for candidates of established political parties to file original nomination papers with the State Board of Elections will be Wednesday, April 15, 2015. The last day to file nomination papers will be Monday, April 20, 2015. Those dates will not be modified by the consent decree.

The writs are attached to this release.

Additional Background

For years, the Illinois Election Code has prescribed a timeline for conducting special elections for U.S. Representative that is not compliant with federal law. The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) is intended to protect the voting rights of citizens residing abroad, including in particular military men and women stationed overseas. Illinois law, however, does not provide sufficient time for ballots to be mailed abroad.

For that reason, the State of Illinois entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2013 to bring the State temporarily into compliance with UOCAVA for the last special election for U.S. Representative. Governor Rauner, Attorney General Madigan, and the Illinois State Board of Elections are now working cooperatively with the Department of Justice to enter into a similar consent decree for the special election caused by former Rep. Schock’s resignation.

This problem has persisted without a permanent solution for too long. Governor Rauner is working with the General Assembly leadership to pass legislation to protect the voting rights of our military men and women serving overseas, while still providing that any vacancy is filled as expeditiously as possible to ensure full representation in Congress for the people of Illinois.

Current Writs

· Special Primary Election will be June 8 (expected to be delayed until late June or early July)

· Special Election will be July 24 (expected to be delayed until late August)

* The writs are here. Pretty cool old-time language in them.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 31, 15 @ 6:12 pm

Comments

I hope Billionaire Bruce Rauner checked the LaHood Dynasty’s to ensure this date doesn’t conflict with the families annual trip to the Hamptons?

Comment by 999exodus Tuesday, Mar 31, 15 @ 6:31 pm
Anyone askin’ BVR if he is cancelin’ any travel to or thru IN?…like NY and others?

Comment by anonin' Tuesday, Mar 31, 15 @ 8:23 pm
I’m pretty informal, but I still love the language in these documents.

Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Mar 31, 15 @ 8:33 pm
I wonder if that language didn’t get a bit more “old time” sometime around about 1875 or so. I recently took a look at the Act of Uniformity 1559 — the legislation that produced the current Church of England — because after that Arizona state legislator the other day started going on about how church attendance should be mandatory, I was trying to find the clause in the 1559 act affecting mandatory church attendance, and the language seems a fair bit plainer and more contemporary language than these writs, even if the spelling is bizarre to modern eyes.

At least with regard to the following, “hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of Illinois to be affixed”, I’m reminded of the bit in Huckleberry Finn about “If that line don’t fetch ‘em, then I don’t know Arkansaw.”

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 8:47 am
I don’t understand why they are even having an election when they could just appoint La Hood like they did when he he was appointed to the Senate.
La Hood is a shoe in and everyone else is just an imposter.
With the La Hood machine behind Darrin victory is inevitable.

Comment by SallyD Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 8:50 am
I need to work “hereunto” more into my daily vocabulary.

Comment by b-non Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 8:58 am
Aaron should frame this writ. Might be the last time anyone calls him “Honorable”.

Comment by JT11505 Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 9:25 am
Rauner ran against career politicians I can’t believe he will participate in the coronation.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 9:30 am
Why do we waste so much $$$$$ when a simple appointment like State Rep would make it work until the next election. Just as dumb as the special for comtroller. Waste Waste

Comment by scott aster Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 9:56 am
What are the requirements to file GOP?f from tax day to stoner day…

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 10:02 am
===Why do we waste so much $$$$$ when a simple appointment like State Rep would make it work until the next election. Just as dumb as the special for comtroller. Waste Waste===

Yeah, democracy. What a waste.

Heaven forbid the voters have a…stake…in choosing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 10:17 am
Plus that pesky u s constitution which requires a social elction

Comment by Joe cannon Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 10:30 am
On an unrelated note, I notice that the writs bear the union label…

Comment by Old Shepherd Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 10:47 am
Pretty sure the old timey language just came from past practice of other Governors.

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 10:52 am
Well, yeah, Juice. That’s what makes it old timey.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 10:53 am
I mean, yesterday’s tomatoes and all, but PQ is now old timey?

Comment by Juice Wednesday, Apr 1, 15 @ 10:56 am