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GOP Planning Straw Poll for Presidential Candidates
(IRN)-Republican primary voters in Illinois will get a chance to weigh in on their presidential choices even before the March 2012 primary.

The state Republican Party will conduct a statewide straw poll on November 5, one year before Election Day. U.S. Senator Mark S. Kirk (R-Ill.) says this is so that Illinois will not be taken lightly.

"For too long, Illinois has been an ATM machine for presidential candidates, or just a stop-over at O'Hare in between Iowa and New Hampshire," he said. "A November 5 pre-primary poll will hopefully bring candidates to campaign in Illinois."

Kirk has yet to state his preference for a candidate, saying he will be working on the straw poll, which he wants to be conducted on the up and up.

The straw poll will be conducted using paper mail in ballots, under the direction of each county's Republican chairman. Which candidates are on the ballot will be determined this summer at the State Fair.

Illinois figures to see little of the presidential candidates during the 2012 general election campaign, with President Obama enjoying a home state advantage. The Republican field is in flux at the moment, with leading candidates yet to emerge.

(Source: Illinois Radio Network)
04 18 11 by Newsroom
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