Staff Reports
Early voting in Chicago for the March 19 presidential primary election hit a sudden roadblock on Friday, igniting controversy across the political spectrum. The city's decision to remove a Democratic judicial candidate from the ballot prompted legal battles and fervent debates.
The Appellate Court of Illinois intervened decisively, compelling the closure of Chicago's two early-voting sites, sending shockwaves through political circles. With Democratic mail-in ballots yet to be sent, the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners announced plans for their expedited reprinting and distribution.
Notably, the ballot adjustment does not affect those already sent out for Republicans, Libertarians, and nonpartisan voters, underscoring the complexity of the situation.
The ousted candidate, Ashonta Rice, had been vigorously contesting her removal from the ballot. However, the court's ruling on Friday solidified her exclusion, leaving observers puzzled about the reasons behind it.
Adding to the drama, data from the Chicago Board of Elections indicated that 314 ballots were cast and 50 vote-by-mail ballots returned before the abrupt halt. Yet, ballots supporting Rice may remain in limbo pending a potential intervention by the Illinois Supreme Court, intensifying the political turmoil.
With Rice no longer in contention, attention now turns to James Murphy-Aguilu, the sole remaining candidate. His ascension to the coveted circuit court judge position appears likely, especially given his temporary appointment last year.
Despite the upheaval, early voting in Chicago is set to resume with the reopening of the affected locations on Wednesday. Suburban Cook County residents can also partake in early voting at the Board Offices location starting the same day. Furthermore, additional early voting sites will soon be available across Chicago wards, promising a rollercoaster ride of political developments in the days ahead.
