2008 Primary Election
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 29, 2007
Who files petitions at the Cook County Clerk’s office?
Candidates seeking the following Cook County offices will file nominating papers with the Clerk’s office: state’s attorney, circuit court clerk, recorder of deeds, water reclamation district commissioner (three seats), and board of review member (2nd and 3rd districts). Ward committeemen for all 50 wards in Chicago will also file papers with the Clerk’s office.
What happens if several people file simultaneously for the same office?
Anyone standing in line at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 29, 2007 to file nomination papers will be time-stamped for 9 a.m.
The Clerk’s office will conduct a lottery at 10 a.m. Nov. 8, 2007, for any candidates who file at the same time for the same office. The person whose name is drawn first in the lottery will have his or her name placed first on the ballot for that contest.
When is the last day to file nomination papers?
The last day to file with the Clerk’s office is Monday, Nov. 5, 2007, by 5 p.m. at 69 W. Washington St., fifth floor.
Where are objections to petitions filed?
If the petition was filed with the Clerk’s office, the objection should also be filed with the Clerk’s office, located at 69 W. Washington St., fifth floor.
When is the last day to file an objection to a petition?
The last day to file an objection with the Clerk’s office is Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2007, for all county offices. The last day to file an objection against candidates for committemen is Friday, Nov. 16.
Who oversees objections?
The Cook County Officers Electoral Board hears objections to all petitions filed with the Clerk’s office except for those to Chicago ward committeemen. The electoral board consists of: Hon. David Orr, Cook County Clerk, chairman, Hon. Richard A. Devine, State's Attorney of Cook County, member, and Hon. Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, member.
In addition to ruling on objections to county candidates, the panel also hears objections to candidates for state senator, state representative and judicial candidates whose districts lie wholly within suburban Cook County or lie party in the suburbs and partially in Chicago.
However, while objections to a ward committeeman’s nominating petitions are filed with the Clerk’s office, the cases are heard by the Chicago Board of Elections.
What is the objection appeal process?
Once the board has issued a decision, the losing party can appeal the decision to the Cook County Circuit Court. The circuit court holds expedited hearings for these cases. The losing party can then take the party to Illinois Appellate Court.
How can campaigns check whether petition signers are registered to vote?
The most efficient way to check a person’s registration status is through the Clerk’s election website, www.voterinfonet.com. The site has a search function which can assist campaigns in verifying registration status. Additionally, the clerk’s office can provide a list registered voters’ names and addresses. This can be done by precinct or district, and is available on disc. Under Illinois law, such lists are available only to campaigns.