Alan Keyes submitted fewer than 200 signatures to be on the Illinois Republican presidential primary. State law requires 3,000 signatures. But Illinois also says that all petitions are deemed valid unless someone challenges them.
Richard B. Mayers, a White Supremacist, challenged Keyes’ petitions. However, Mayers withdrew his own voter registration a few days before he filed the challenge. The Illinois State Board of Elections will determine on December 21, starting at 10:30 am, what to do about the Mayers’ challenge. Illinois law says only registered voters may challenge petitions.
For some history on this “Richard B. Mayers”, see Alan Keyes discussion thread at:
http://discuss.alankeyes.com/showthread.php?p=1343#post1343
While you’re at it, take a look around at http://www.alankeyes.com, particularly the comments left by pledge signers. It will restore your hope in America.
This is one of the kookiest stories I’ve ever seen on this site, and it doesn’t even involve a 3rd party. I can’t decide which is stranger, that Alan Keyes bothered submitting less than 10% of the required number of signatures, that Alan Keyes couldn’t even obtain 10% of the required number of signatures, that a white supremacist challenged him, or that said aforementioned white supremacist withdrew his voter registration prior to his challenge.
If that wasn’t weird enough, Mayers challenged the petitions of Green and Democratic Presidential candidates as well- on loose leaf note paper, and without actually copying the petitions. He also tried to get on the ballot as a Green in the 3rd Congressional District.
KEYES is such a big joke. but i say this is a FREE COUNTRY LET HIM ON THE BALLOT.
What is to decide he cannot legally challenge the petition.
The probable reason the challenger withdrew his own voter registration, is that he had been ordered by a court to stay away from his aged parents, because he had been believed to be threatening them. But his voter registration record showed that he still lived with them. He probably revoked his voter registration to be in compliance with the protective order telling him to stay away from his parents.