A few weeks ago, someone identifying himself as joeychgo left this comment on my blog: “What do you think about the recent DuPage Republican attempts to stop Democratic challengers such as the Pankau/Cullerton case?”
First of all, I should apologize for not responding sooner. I truly appreciate all feedback I receive from readers.
The issue is whether Tom Cullerton, a Villa Park trustee, should be allowed to run as a Democrat against state Sen. Carole Pankau, R-23rd District, of Itasca. He was tossed off the November ballot by the DuPage County Officers Electoral Board because he voted as a Republican in the February primary.Absur
In early July, DuPage Circuit Judge Paul Fullerton ruled that Illinois election law does not prohibit someone from voting for one party in a primary and running as a candidate in another party in the general election. He put Cullerton back on the ballot.
But this victory was short lived. A three-judge panel in the 2nd District of the Illinois Appellate Court ruled Aug. 1 that Cullerton should be removed from the ballot, and that’s where the issue now stands.
Cullerton said he planned to appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court. But the state election board will certify the ballots Friday, and the Illinois Appellate Court has yet to release its written opinion on the case, making it unlikely Cullerton’s case would be heard by the Supreme Court in time for the general election.
Political parties go to great lengths to protect incumbents. Who cares if Cullerton voted as a Republican in the primary and has been nominated by Democrats to run for the Illinois Senate?
It’s little wonder so many people ignore the electoral system.
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Stumble It!
