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| Lawsuit Relating to Constitutional Convention Ballot Question Denied |
There's controversy brewing about a question appearing on this year's election ballots. Bruno Behrend, co-founder of Illinois Citizens Coalition and an advocate for calling a constitutional convention, says the ballot question asking if voters want a convention is confusing.
Behrend is asking the court in Cook County to halt the printing of ballots until a ruling on the issue is made. Judge Nathaniel Howse Jr. denied the request, saying a couple more days of the status quo wouldn't hurt voters.
Behrend is suing the secretary of state, saying that office has the authority of changing the language. Specifically Behrend is concerned with the phrease, "…the failure to vote this ballot is the equivalent of a negative vote."
Behrend claims the language is unconstitutional and confusing.
"Voters going to the polls intending to vote 'no' that see that language and assume they can vote no by not voting at all are going to be disenfranchised," Behrend said outside of court.
The lawsuit contends that question is misleading about a "no" vote. If those intending to vote "no" choose to not answer the question at all, a constitutional convention could be called under the three-fifths vote threshold.
While Behrend is in favor of a convention and the language appears to be in his favor, he says the issue must be addressed to prevent lawsuits pertaining to the language should voters approve a convention.
Behrend's motion has been continued because of a pending lawsuit by the Chicago Bar Association that addresses the same issue. Behrend says the two lawsuits might be rolled into one. The issue is expected to come up again in court on Sept. 30.
Article 14, Section 1(b) of the Illinois Constitution requires voters to consider the issue of a Constitutional Convention every 20 years.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 09 24 08 by Newsroom |
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