An Illinois judge ruled Wednesday against a Democratic initiative to alter election laws midway through the campaign season in an effort to bar Republicans from running for statewide office.
The Democratic majority in Illinois had sought to leverage its legislative dominance to pass a bill changing the rules for candidate selection, according to the Cook County Record. Republicans criticized the move as a transparent attempt to prevent GOP candidates from challenging Democratic incumbents in the upcoming elections.
Sangamon County Circuit Judge Gail Noll sided with 14 Republican candidates for the state legislature, declaring that the law, known as Public Act 103-0586, was an unconstitutional attempt by Democrats to change the rules mid-election to favor their own candidates.
The Liberty Justice Center filed a lawsuit challenging the new law, which aimed to end the practice of “slating.” This process allows parties to place candidates on the general election ballot if no candidates emerge from the party's primary elections, provided they collect the necessary petition signatures.
The legislation was rapidly passed by Democrats, less than two days after its introduction, and was signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker, effectively removing the “slating” provision immediately during the slating process.
Jeffrey Schwab, Senior Counsel for the Liberty Justice Center, praised the ruling, emphasizing that while the General Assembly is permitted to change election rules, it cannot do so mid-campaign to exclude challengers. “We are proud to stand up for these candidates and against yet another scheme to suppress competition in Illinois elections,” Schwab said.
The judge’s decision specifically pertains to the current election cycle's use of the “slating” process. It does not address whether the law might stand in future elections, according to the Cook County Record.
