Third parties and independent candidates are getting easier ballot access in Illinois for the election in November. Federal Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer Thursday ordered the state to provide an online signature gathering method. The candidates will have to get just 10% of the signatures they normally would, except for the Green and Libertarian presidential and U.S. Senate candidates who will be on the ballot without signatures.
The parties said it’s too dangerous to send people out to gather signatures in person during a pandemic. Steve Suess, the Libertarian Party of Illinois Chair, hopes the online signature option sticks around.
The parties will also get an August 7 filing date, almost seven weeks later than was scheduled.
Steve Suess says more in this interview: