Libertarians in Greater Peoria area launch bids for select elective offices

PEORIA -- Liberty plays in Peoria. This has been a long-standing slogan for the Libertarian Party of Greater Peoria for several years. In 2020, it brings forth a slate of candidates for both county and state legislative offices in November's general election.
At least eight candidates are running for state and county offices in November, according to statements during the press conference Thursday.
Party chairman Donny Henry states a legal decision is lowering the signature threshold to one-tenth of the original requirement. Part of the April 23 decision also allows for electronic petitioning with an original filing deadline for early-to-mid August. An appeal from the Illinois State Board of Elections did result in the deadline pushing up to July 20.
No arguments for another appeal will be heard to overturn all ballot access relief. The court states the reasoning was that arguments wouldn't be presented until after the filing deadline. Final arguments, with a final court decision, is pending for July 6.
Traditionally, third parties like the Libertarian Party race excessively high ballot access barriers. These barriers in the Illinois Election Code makes things harder for any candidate outside of the two major parties. Henry called the ruling a "game-changer" for getting Libertarian candidates on the ballot this fall.
"We, as the Libertarian Party in Peoria, we looked around and we said, 'This is the opportunity we've been waiting for.'

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