Bill puts Bush on ballot in Illinois    

[JUNE 30, 2004]  SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois voters will have a full slate of presidential candidates from which to choose on Nov. 2, despite a scheduling quirk that could have kept President George W. Bush off the ballot for the general election, according to state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington.

Illinois lawmakers have approved Senate Bill 2123, authorizing the State Board of Elections to do what is needed to certify for the Illinois ballot those presidential and vice presidential candidates selected by national nominating conventions in 2004.

"In order for President Bush to be included on the Illinois ballot, the General Assembly had to pass legislation allowing for a one-time exemption to the Illinois Election Code," Brady said. "We didn't anticipate any serious opposition, but it is a relief that the General Assembly has approved this measure. Illinois voters should be allowed a full slate of presidential and vice presidential candidates on the Illinois ballot in November."

In 2004, the Republican National Convention is scheduled for early September in New York City. Both national political parties usually have their conventions in August. To make sure that the Illinois ballot for the 2004 general election lists Republican candidates, lawmakers need to authorize the State Board of Elections -- for 2004 only -- to certify the results of any national nominating convention prior to Election Day.

Brady says Republicans attempted to pass similar legislation during the fall 2003 legislative session but would not support the bill when Democrats loaded it with language to overlook election law violations and undo voter fraud protections.

Approved by the Senate on March 25 and by the House of Representatives on June 28, Senate Bill 2123 will become law when signed by the governor.

[Illinois Senate Republican Caucus
news release]