Chicago Alderman Files Lawsuit to Challenge Election Rule

Progressive Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-López has filed a lawsuit against the Illinois State Board of Elections and its members. He aims to secure a spot on the 4th Congressional District ballot. This legal move comes after the board recently ruled that Sigcho-López and another candidate, Mayra Macías, did not gather enough valid signatures for the November ballot.

Sigcho-López claims that the rules used to make this decision are unfair and should be overturned. “We spent weeks collecting signatures from thousands of voters only to have them challenged one by one,” said Sigcho-López. “That’s not protecting elections. That’s protecting the status quo and rigging the system for party bosses.”

The lawsuit not only seeks to include Sigcho-López on the ballot, but also asks to declare state laws on independent candidacies unconstitutional. This race has been marked by intense political tactics. It began when Patty García won the Democratic nomination after U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García announced his retirement, allowing Patty García to quickly gather signatures. However, others including Sigcho-López and Chris Getty also entered as independent candidates.

The candidates faced challenges sponsored by individuals linked to the congressman and Patty García. In the end, state election authorities decided that they hadn’t met the requirements, despite submitting over 17,000 signatures, the limit permitted.

Independent candidates have to collect around 11,000 valid signatures, a vastly higher number than the 697 required for Patty García, the Democratic primary candidate. Sigcho-López’s lawsuit, filed with local resident José Guerra, argues that this disparity limits voter choice.

“It’s about whether the people of the 4th District get a real choice,” Sigcho-López stated. “Our democracy belongs to the people, not party bosses. Thousands of voters stood with us, and they deserve to have their voices heard.”

Macías is considering aligning her legal efforts with Sigcho-López. Though she acknowledges the federal court case may have limited success in placing her on the ballot. Macías emphasizes the lawsuit’s potential to enable future independent candidates. “This process showed how unfair the thresholds for independents are,” she said.

The Illinois State Board of Elections declined to comment. Patty García’s campaign spokesperson also declined to comment.