Bush is NOT on the Illinois ballot...yet

Perhaps the legal wranglings of this year's Presidential election won't be in Florida after all.
A legal snafu has removed Bush's name from the November ballot in Illinois.
This should be interesting....

Legal Glitch Snarls Bush's Spot on Illinois Ballot
For want of a small change to the Illinois election law, President Bush's name is not supposed to be on the state's November ballot, but officials said one way or another, it will be there.

The glitch arose because the Illinois legislature adjourned earlier this week without extending the Aug. 30 deadline for presidential candidates to be certified by the state elections board and qualify for the Nov. 2 ballot.

The relatively late dates of this year's Republican Party convention, running Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, mean that Bush will not be the official nominee until after the deadline set in state law. Eight other states had the same problem but fixed the date. As a result Illinois, is the only state where Bush could be left off the ballot.

the story continue

[Edited on 5-6-2004 by DontTreadOnMe]

Just one more example of Bush screwing with election law to better suit him. I for one am keenly looking forward to seeing the GOP strategies for disallowing Democrat votes, and sneaking pro-Bush votes in under the wire.

But it's good to see him starting as he means to go on.

Great story, DontTreadOnMe!

Well, how is he screwing with election laws here?
Whatever they end up doing would be done for any major candidate regardless of party. I beleive Illinois tends to go Democrat, anyway.

btw, thanks

Sorry Bush... the law is the law. You snooze you lose. Cant extend the deadline in the ballot recount in florida? Cant extend the deadine in Illinois either. Cant have it both ways Dubya.

Though I agree with you in theory, Indy, I can see Governer Blagojevich's point. It absurd for Bush to be absent from the ballot. After all, it wouldn't be a benefit to the democratic process - it'd just be really, really funny.

My point, DontTread (can I call you DontTread? ), was just that the GOP would be making major political capital out of this situation if it was the other way around, and Kerry wasn't registered. But because it's Bush that missed the deadline, Republicans quietly apply the screws and get the laws changed. It's not so much a scandal, as it is indicative of other scandals.

StrangeLands... I agree that it wouldnt benefit the democratic process in this country. But neither did the Florida fiasco last election. How could I possibly feel sorry for him? He'll just sit there with this not so bright look on his face and tell us that the 'war on terra is a long war and that its no time for Merkins to let the terraists win by denying people the right to vote in a democratically elected system" lmfao. Its hard to type like he talks.

Its hard to type like he talks

And yet that was a damn good impression!

You must agree, though, that it'll be much more satisfying to see him soundly beaten by Kerry in Illinois than it would be for him to be absent altogether?

Yeah it is more satisfying to give someone a solid beating than to have them not show up at all.

and that's like Chicago in Illinois .............

it all dosnt matter, because the electoral college will vote the way their people are leaning towards most but it would be kinda funny.

Well, first, I give kudo's to Illinois for being a free, and sovereign state. (some-what)

I don't know about Illinois, but in Wisconsin, the legislature can call an extraordinary session to discuss, and act on any unfinished business.

Maybe we'll see a nice strong Libertarian boost from Illinois!

Originally posted by StrangeLands
My point, DontTread (can I call you DontTread?

), was just that the GOP would be making major political capital out of this situation if it was the other way around, and Kerry wasn't registered.

Sure, I answer to DontTread, DTOM, whatever is easier.
Not to blast one party or the other, but it seems both would may hay over this snafu. I wonder why the Dems have let this slide. Perhaps this kind of thing goes on all the time, and it was just a slow news day, if that is possible anymore.

Rose Colored glass's and other forms ofcrottin de b�uf

The news report reads as follows:

�The glitch arose because the Illinois legislature adjourned earlier this week without extending the Aug. 30 deadline for presidential candidates to be certified by the state elections board and qualify for the Nov. 2 ballot.�

The more accurate and unbiased presentation of the report could be more aptly fashioned as follows:

The Illinois state legislature adjourned and chose not to address the problem of presumptive Republican candidate for the Presidency name being placed on the Nov. ballot because of non-compliance with Illinois state election law.

�The law states �legally and nominated candidate(s) of political parties must file on or before August 30 to be certified by the state�s election board�. The Republicans knew the requirements of the state law and chose to ignore its requirements for a candidates name to be included on the ballot. Now they expect special consideration in spite of their chose to hold the nomination convention at a date later then to comply with the law. And now they expect a court, in contravention of the legislature�s intent to have their nominee be certified and qualify for the Nov. 2 ballot by extra-legal process.�

Oh, God. Now�s the time for those damned� activist liberal judges who make law rather then enforce it, time to shine; And now become for the moment, paragons of keeper of the �Rule of Law�����..


Pass me the �Upchuck� bucket������

Mcnulty~~
Seems like Illinois is left holding this smeel bag. Other states acted to fix the issue. The Illinois legislators were probably too busy figuring their next vacation to bother with something as trivial as the Presidential election!!

The relatively late dates of this year's Republican Party convention, running Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, mean that Bush will not be the official nominee until after the deadline set in state law. Eight other states had the same problem but fixed the date. As a result Illinois, is the only state where Bush could be left off the ballot.

It seems you may be looking at it a bit from the wrong direction.

It is state law that determines ballot eligibility. In each state the requirements maybe in general the same, but differ widely in how the process is navigated successfully.

The state election law applies to federal elections held within the state. It is STATE LAW that is controlling.

The state legislature did not make a mistake. They made an informed decision � and did NOTHING. Their inaction was the action they wished to take; and they did, sending a message to political parties: These are our laws; comply or suffer the consequences.

The Bush folks- because of it being an important part of a political strategy planning for the time, place, and location; and to maximize the PR effect of tying Bush with NYC and 9/11 and close to 9/11 anniversary date � chose not to meet the demands of the Illinois state law. The figured they would be able to get �special consideration� (because they have this basic �above the law attitude) and circumvent the rules is some weasel type way.

The �change the law� thing did not work because their attitude offended the state legislature. (Lots of that goin� round - seem to be associated with the guy who was billed as a �Uniter and not a divider.) Seem he and his just plumb piss folks off with the way they treat them.

No Bush hopes to beat the rap in state court.

I wish him well. Beating state election law just ain�t too easy - Even if you can pay-off the judges. Daddy did not appoint 5 or is personal friends of the 9 as when the USSC appointed Jr�������

So the way it stands right now Bush will not be on the Illinois ballot? LMFAO

Stuff happens...................

Some folks just have all the luck..........

Somehow I feel the ba$tard will beat the rap...........

One of the two consistent themes that runs thru his life..............

The other being a miserable failure
With an uncanny ability to squander other peoples money.

I think they will change the election process in favor for Bush. I just see it as a way to let Bush influence state law. By using the rationale that Bush uses, the ends justify the means, the end pertaining to the future. So...if this works for both major party candidates, than that justifies allowing Bush to influence state law. Do I agree with the rationale? No, because we don't know what the ends are for this or any thing else for that matter, so their may be no importance in allowing a change to the election process.

It would be funny though if they didn't change the election process and Bush used this as a ploy to instigate political terrorism within the country to once again divide the country. Much contrary to his 2000 platform.

It seems you may be looking at it a bit from the wrong direction.

It is state law that determines ballot eligibility. In each state the requirements maybe in general the same, but differ widely in how the process is navigated successfully.

The state election law applies to federal elections held within the state. It is STATE LAW that is controlling.

The state legislature did not make a mistake. They made an informed decision � and did NOTHING. Their inaction was the action they wished to take; and they did, sending a message to political parties: These are our laws; comply or suffer the consequences.

The Bush folks- because of it being an important part of a political strategy planning for the time, place, and location; and to maximize the PR effect of tying Bush with NYC and 9/11 and close to 9/11 anniversary date � chose not to meet the demands of the Illinois state law. The figured they would be able to get �special consideration� (because they have this basic �above the law attitude) and circumvent the rules is some weasel type way.

The �change the law� thing did not work because their attitude offended the state legislature. (Lots of that goin� round - seem to be associated with the guy who was billed as a �Uniter and not a divider.) Seem he and his just plumb piss folks off with the way they treat them.

No Bush hopes to beat the rap in state court.

I wish him well. Beating state election law just ain�t too easy - Even if you can pay-off the judges. Daddy did not appoint 5 or is personal friends of the 9 as when the USSC appointed Jr�������

so doeas that mean the " dead " wont be voting in cook co. this time arround?