ROBINSON, IL. (ECWd) –

Friday, December 15, 2017, the Crawford County Electoral Board held its initial Hearing on the Petition Objections filed by James M. Snyder against the nominating papers of Patricia Lycan and the nominating papers of James Runyon – both of which submitted petitions to become Republican Precinct Committeemen in Crawford County.

This Electoral Board Hearing must comply with the Open Meetings Act. Is was not properly posted with an Agenda, and did not allow for public comment. Both are alleged violations of the OMA.

Video of the entire meeting is below.

On review of the Petition Objections (read them here), Runyon and Lycon both filed Motions to Strike and Dismiss the Objections based on what they refer to as fatal flaws.

A fatal flaw is an error which renders the entire petition objection as Invalid – meaning if the Motions to Strike are granted, the objection process immediately stops.

James Runyon’s Motion to Strike refers to:

• Objector failed to prove or state his standing as a voter in the Precinct. Objector does not live or vote in Runyon’s Precinct.
• Objector failed to include his complete home address on the face of the objection. Failure to state objector’s residence address on the face of petition violates Section 10-8 and renders objector’s petition invalid.
• Objector failed to ask for relief of any kind. The Electoral Board cannot grant relief when no relief was asked for.
• Objector failed to state the full nature of the objection, failed to include the petition sheet(s) objected to, and failed to even specify what his objection is. 

Patricia Lycan’s Motion to Strike refers to:

• Objector failed to prove or state his standing as a voter in the Precinct.
• Objector failed to ask for relief of any kind. Failure to state objector’s residence address on the face of petition violates Section 10-8 and renders objector’s petition invalid.
• Objector failed to state the full nature of the objection, failed to include the petition sheet(s) objected to, and failed to even specify what his objection is. 

Since the Illinois Election Code does not provide for an amended Objection, there is no possibility to cure these defects – which in our opinion, should toss out the objections and leave both candidates on the ballot.

The next Hearing date is Tuesday, December 19, 2017, @ 1:00 p.m. in the Crawford County Courthouse.

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