DuPage Township failed to properly notice the Lottery for ballot position –

Bolingbrook, IL. (ECWd) –

B.L.U.F. (“Bottom Line Up Front”):

The township clerk did not properly notify the Democrat and Republican Parties of the upcoming Lottery to determine ballot position, as required under the Illinois Election Code.

The lottery was held, and at the lottery, several people from the Republican Party were present to observe, and the Clerk drew an “R” ball from the bag and declared the Republican party would be first on the ballot for the upcoming April election. This was videotaped.

There was no collusion, no participation in illegal activities by those there witnessing the lottery, no conspiring by any party, no co-conspirators, nothing other than the Clerk failed to properly notify the political parties.

Update, 2-5-2021: We realize there were other problems with how this lottery was conducted, such as not having representatives of all parties present, the clerk drawing the ball, etc., but the article was simply about the “notice” required under the Election Code, which if violated, renders the lottery invalid.

What is the remedy? That is for the attorneys and Courts to iron out, especially since the lottery had to be held prior to Jan 28, 2021.

Timeline from most recent event first:

• Feb 2, 2021 – Attorneys on behalf of the DuPage Township Democrat Party sent a letter to the Township Clerk concerning the failure to notify interested parties as the Election Code requires, prior to conducting the lottery. The letter also demanded a new Lottery with proper notice.
• Jan 27, 2021, 4:00 p.m. – Township Clerk held the lottery (despite objections by the Republican Party) to determine which party would be first on the April 2021 ballot, even though proper notice was not sent to interested parties as required under the Illinois Election Code. The Clerk drew one of the marked golf/Ping-Pong balls from a brown paper bag, and it indicated the Republican Party would be first on the ballot (video 1 and video 2).
• Jan 27, 2021, 2:16 p.m. – Will County Republican Chair emails DuPage Township Clerk and Township Attorneys informing them of the improper notice – that no notice was mailed to the Party, failure to include electronic attendance for poll watchers and the public, and failing to notify all interested parties. This email sought an immediate correction (compliance with state law).
• Jan 27, 2021, 1:47 p.m. – Trustee Benford emailed the Clerk and Township Attorney about the notice and questioned if it was properly noticed – by mailing the notice to party chairmen at least 3 days prior to the lottery.
• Dec 30, 2020 – the official Notice of Election Lottery was posted at DuPage Township.