On May 29, the Illinois Green Party issued a press release, asking Governor Pat Quinn to veto HB 723, which makes it more difficult for ballot-qualified parties to nominate candidates. Specifically, if ballot-qualified parties wish to nominate someone after the February primary is over with, by committee meeting, they can no longer do that unless they submit a petition for each nominee.
The press release points out that, already, one-candidate general elections for the state legislature are very common. In November 2008, 59 of 118 State House races had only one nominee on the ballot, and 20 of 40 State Senate races had only one person on the ballot. The press release also points out that during the years 2002 through 2008, 42 Republicans, 29 Democrats, and 15 Greens were nominated after the primary. If the post-primary method were severely restricted, the number of one-candidate races would be even higher.
On June 1, Free & Equal faxed a letter to Governor Quinn, asking for a veto and reminding him that he has always championed himself as a reformer.
Pat Quinn is governor because Rod Blagojevich abused his appointment powers. HB 723 would simple encourage primary-qualified parties to actually hold a primary.
That’s a super idea, Jim. Why don’t you tell that to the Democrats who keep trying to get Greens who file nominating petitions for the primary kicked off the ballot
First a corrupt Republican (George Ryan), then a corrupt Democrat (Rod Blagojevich)…Since the Greens won 10.4 in the last election, Pat Quinn would do good to listen to a party that has grown.
Who is Jim Riley and what is his beef?
Jim Riley Says:
June 1st, 2009 at 8:34 pm
“Pat Quinn is governor because Rod Blagojevich abused his appointment powers. HB 723 would simple encourage primary-qualified parties to actually hold a primary.”
As Richard pointed out, half of the state legislature already ran uncontested in 2008. Making slating more difficult would have given us even more uncontested races. HB 723 is being pushed by Democrats and Republicans would would have run unopposed if it weren’t for the Greens.
If no Green Party nominees had been appointed in 2008, there would have been about 55% unopposed legislative races rather than 50%.
And if slating weren’t an available option, someone would have challenged the ballot qualification standard for the legislature by now.
It appears that the Green Party is complicit with the State of Illinois in denying Green Party voters the right to choose their party nominees in the primary.