While there seems to be a dozen or so who would like to replace Jesse Jackson Jr. in Congress, it’s not that easy getting your name on the ballot.
The State Board of Elections is not likely to announce the number of signatures needed until Monday, because workers there are still certifying the November vote.
Here’s the formula: The number of signatures will be based on one-half of one percent of the total number of votes cast for the most popular candidate of that part in the November election. So Phil Kadner of the Southtown Star estimates for the Democratic candidates that will be about 1,400 signatures.
Of course, they will need perhaps two or three times that many, depending on if there are challenges.
Only registered voters can sign a petition, and if someone signs two or more petitions, there is a chance those signatures may be tossed out.
Ald. Anthony Beale has already hired election lawyer Burt Odelson. Remember him? He was the lead attorney to challenge Rahm Emanuel’s residency.
Odelson told the Southtown Star “there are going to be challenges. And some of the candidates aren’t going to survive the challenge to their petitions.”
