Greenwood, Davis Petition Challenges Allege Fraud
Republicans claim former Rep. LaToya Greenwood and her petition circulators forged more than 200 signatures on her petitions to get on the March ballot.
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The Illinoize received copies of a few petition challenges Tuesday. Here is a summary of what is being challenged:
Republicans allege circulators for former Rep. LaToya Greenwood forged more than 200 signatures on her petitions.
Because of that, Republicans are asking the State Board of Elections to throw out full sheets of signatures to drop Greenwood below the 500 minimum threshold to qualify for the ballot.
Greenwood is attempting a comeback against Rep. Kevin Schmidt (R-Millstadt), who upset her in the Metro East-based 114th District in 2022.
Removing Greenwood from the ballot could be a tall order. She filed around 1,600 signatures for the seat, more than three times the minimum number to qualify for the ballot. Dozens of full sheets would have to be tossed out to drop her below the minimum threshold.
The challenge also alleges more than 300 of Greenwood’s signatures do not live at the address listed on her petitions and multiple others who reside outside of the 114th District.
Congressman Danny Davis (D-Chicago) is having his petitions challenged. Objectors, who are tied to Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, say Davis did not personally sign his statement of candidacy, which is required by law.
The same objectors are challenging hundreds of signatures by 7th District candidate Kina Collins, alleging the signatures aren’t authentic and the signers are not registered at their listed address.
The petitions of Democrat Larry Kerkstra, running in a five-way primary to take on Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Bourbonnais). Kerkstra, a Kankakee County Board member, is accused of not filing the receipt for his Statement of Economic Interest filing with the Secretary of State, as required. It appears the statement was filed, but the receipt is required in a petition packet.
Former Livingston County Board member Mike Kirkton, who had his petitions challenged in a four-way race for the open 53rd Senate District, is accused of not having enough valid signatures. Kirkton reportedly filed around 1,100 signatures. Objectors are challenging about 155 signatures, which would drop Kirkton below the minimum to qualify for the ballot.