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This just in… Rep. Mell survives petition challenge

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Illinois

* 11:45 am - As I’ve told you before, Joe Laiacona is running against Rep. Deb Mell (D-Chicago) in the Democratic primary and challenged Mell’s nominating petitions because she wasn’t registered to vote at the address she used on her sheets. A hearing officer recommended that Laiacona’s challenge be rejected last week and the full Chicago Election Board heard the case today. Mell won.

I just got this e-mail from Laiacona’s attorney Rich Means…

Argued this morning before Chicago election board. We lost and are considering appealing to the circuit court.

More background here. Rep. Mell, of course, is the daughter of Ald. Dick Mell and the sister-in-law of Rod Blagojevich.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 11:45 am

Comments

I depsise these kind of technical arguments which have nothing to do with showing a canidate can demonstrate a modicum of support etc. Let the voters decided on election day. Canidates making this kind of challenge to me are sending the message they are unelectable with voters if forced to run on the merits.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 11:50 am
Laws are for the commoners, not the Illinois political class blue-bloods.

Comment by John Bambenek Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 11:54 am
Bambenek, the law seemed pretty clear to the hearing examiner - there was no statutory requirement that a legislative candidate even be registered to vote.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 11:56 am
“and the sister-in-law of Rod Blagojevich”

That one really isn’t her fault.

Comment by George Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:01 pm
George, she voted “No” on his impeachment, so it’s more than just a little relevant.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:03 pm
How does the average guy find out what the standing is on these petition challenges? The Illinois State Board of Elections Website is next to useless.

train111

Comment by train111 Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:04 pm
True.

Comment by George Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:07 pm
Rich, the statutory requirement to sign a petition is much more stringent than running for office. Whats with that ?

Comment by Stallion Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:07 pm
“Whats with that ?”

I guess they figure its your loss if you can’t vote for yourself.

Comment by George Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:08 pm
Rich-

You mean some faceless bureaucrat said it doesn’t matter? Gosh, you’re right. I should mind my place.

(Yeah, I’m in a snarky mood today, I think something funny was in my coffee).

How many candidates got the boot for this same violation before Deb hired the top election lawyer in the state?

Comment by John Bambenek Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:10 pm
==there was no statutory requirement that a legislative candidate even be registered to vote. ==

Yet if you bind your petitions wrong you can get removed….

This system makes about as much sense as….. Nothing makes as little sense as this system

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:11 pm
atta girl!

Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:14 pm
Didn’t Deb Mell sign an oath saying that she was registered to vote at an address where she wasn’t registered to vote?

If Mell had modified the oath and completed it correctly, I would be more inclined to support her position that it’s not a requirement to be registered.

But if Deb Mell filed a false oath, what should the consequences be? If she stays on the ballot is she going to be criminally prosecuted by the Cook County State’s Attorney? Or is Deb Mell protected from any consequences for filing a false oath?

Comment by Carl Nyberg Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:25 pm
Thought experiment: if Laiacona had made the same mistake and Mell’s attorney filed an identical objection, would the Chicago Board of Elections ruled the same way?

Comment by Carl Nyberg Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:27 pm
=== You mean some faceless bureaucrat said it doesn’t matter? Gosh, you’re right. I should mind my place. ===

I hear the same kind of bashing of public school teachers, and frankly, its getting more than just a little putrid.

When you’re ready to quit doing whatever it is you do and become a public school teacher, or a case worker at DCFS, or take a job working at the Board of Elections, let us know.

In the meantime, those “faceless bureaucrats” deserve a little respect, and BTW, you really should think twice about clothes-lining someone you’ve never met. Or atleast ask yourself if you’d be willing to say it to their face.

That said, Chicago public school teachers work for the Chicago Board of Education, whose members, thanks to the Republican-led school reform efforts, have all been appointed by Mayor Daley since 1995.

And unless I’m mistake, the Chicago Board of Elections is appointed by the Chief Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court.

So, if you’re unhappy with CPS, take it up with the GOP and Mayor Daley.

If you’re unhappy with the Board of Elections, take it up with Judge Evans.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:36 pm
=== How many candidates got the boot for this same violation before Deb hired the top election lawyer in the state? ===

so two wrongs make a right? or if there is ever a bad decision on something we should stick with an insane and outdated rule? Or you mean we should not look at the the merits, but consider the individual? None of the outcomes of your comment present a viable system.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:39 pm
==George, she voted “No” on his impeachment==
She was the only one who didn’t go along with the Madigan railroad. Good for her!

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 12:40 pm
Barbara Goodman, the hearing examiner, is an attorney in private practice who has served as a hearing officer for the State Board of Elections and the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners for years. She is considered one of the state’s top election experts. Whatever your opinion on the merits of the case, the surnames of the parties (or their backers) would have had no impact on her decision.

Comment by Lee County Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 2:21 pm
My viable system is not spiking people off the ballot for crap. Fraud, deception, unintelligibility. Those are the only reasons to spike someone, and everyone should have equal rules to get on the ballot no matter what party affiliation they have.

What’s the point of the right to vote if there is no right to choose?

Yellow Dog Democrat-

You can bust my chops about my comments when you start using your real name instead of being YAABW (Yet Another Anonymous Blog Warrior).

Comment by John Bambenek Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 3:27 pm
John Bambenek - Yeah John, you’re so fearless about putting your name out there that you took down your website so people researching the putback amendment wouldn’t see what a wingnut you are.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 4:13 pm
OK, take it easy.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 1, 09 @ 4:20 pm
–You mean some faceless bureaucrat said it doesn’t matter? Gosh, you’re right. I should mind my place.–

John Bambenek, another victim heard from.

Who are these sinister “faceless bureaucrats” that are the cause of so many problems? In my world, folks who have government jobs are friends and neighbors trying to make a living like everybody else.

There were plenty of them in the Murrah Building and Twin Towers, as well.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 2, 09 @ 8:03 am