Chalk it up to a comedy of errors? People can’t follow instructions and those collecting signatures weren’t careful enough? Still it seems increasingly difficult to make sure you have enough ‘good’ signatures.
(AgapePress) - Pro-family groups are vowing to fight after Illinois election officials turned thumbs down on a petition drive to put a marriage referendum on the November ballot.
Peter LaBarbera, outgoing president of the Illinois Family Institute (IFI), says the pro-family groups mounted a massive campaign to get the “Protect Marriage Illinois” referendum on the ballot. “We gathered over 400,000 signatures; we turned in 347,000,” he explains. “And yet, still it appears we haven’t made the limit of 283,000.”
How could that be? Last Friday, reports LifeSite.net, officials with the Illinois Board of Elections invalidated thousands of signatures. In reporting their findings, the election officials said some people signed the wrong county sheets, some printed their name instead of signing, and some failed to sign their names exactly as it was signed on the voter registration forms 30 to 40 years ago. LaBarbera says the petition law is archaic — and the action is being challenged.
Aside from the ACLU (big surprise) is challenging a number of signatures doesn’t help. If indeed the Board of Elections hasn’t regularly updated their signature from years ago then the supporters of the issue have a good point. Signatures change. Ever work a poll? Then you would know that. Whether that will be enough to overcome the number needed? Time will see.
Tags: Marriage Expansion
