This year, two statewide initiative petitions were submitted in Illinois. The legislative term limits measure was found to have enough valid signatures, but the initiative for an independent redistricting commission was told it doesn’t have enough valid. Backers of the redistricting commission believe they do have enough, and hearings examiners are going over each disputed signature. See this story.
Even when the initiatives have enough valid signatures, the Illinois Constitution’s procedures for statewide initiatives are so restrictive, both proposals must also fight court battles on whether or not these subjects can qualify as initiatives. Illinois has had the statewide initiative since 1970, but only once has ever statewide initiative qualified for the ballot.
Again – will the about 18 States with voter petitions for State constitutional amendments have to liberate the other 32 States the very hard way – from the EVIL ANTI-Democracy gerrymander oligarchs ???
The redistricting initiative submitted 500,000 signatures, with 300,000 needed. A 60% validity rate would be necessary, but a 5% sample indicated a 45% validity rate.
Unless the election board is entirely corrupt (which is not impossible in Illinois), its going to be hard to rehabilitate the petition.
http://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_Independent_Redistricting_Amendment_(2014)
The W-A-R for REAL Democracy is on many Fronts — against the EVIL minority rule special interest gangs.