A neutral poll released on September 4 for Governor of Illinois shows these results: Democratic 47%, Republican 39%, Green 2%, undecided 12%. This is the first poll to include the Green Party candidate, Richard Whitney.

If Whitney does receive 2% in November, it is reasonable to assume that some of the other statewide Green Party nominees will receive 5%. If one of the statewide Green Party nominees polls 5%, the Green Party will then be qualified in 2008 for automatic ballot status, and a primary, for statewide offices (but not district offices). That would also include a presidential primary.

In 2002, the Libertarian Party was the only minor party on the Illinois ballot, just as this year the Greens are the only one. In 2002, the Libertarians polled 1.65% for Governor, and higher amounts for all the other statewide offices, including 4.23% for Controller.

The last time a minor party polled 5% for a statewide race in Illinois was in 1996, when the Reform Party did it.

If the Greens could poll 5% for Governor this year, then they would be a qualified party in 2008 for all partisan offices, not just statewide offices.