Judge Blocks Illinois Law That Changed Ballot Access Rules After Primary

Republicans argue that the law would allow some sitting Democrats run unopposed.
Judge Blocks Illinois Law That Changed Ballot Access Rules After Primary
Residents cast ballots for the Nov. 8 election at an early voting site in Chicago, on Oct. 18, 2016. Scott Olson /Getty Images
Bill Pan
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An Illinois judge on Wednesday halted a newly enacted state election law that prevents candidates from gaining access to a major party ballot through an alternative “slating” option.

Prior to the change, a local committee for a political party could nominate, or “slate,” a candidate to a general election ballot even if no member of that party filed nominating petitions for the primary, so long as the candidate gathered the required number of petition signatures.

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