A “near-relative” is defined as the voter’s spouse, brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, mother-in-law, father-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, stepparent or stepchild. The delay means ballots cannot be sent by mail and there can be no voting in selected offices, such as the courthouse. The board has ruled on all other objections and certified candidates for all other races. But objections to Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, and Republican candidates Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, are still proceeding, according to state election records.
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Illinois State Board of Elections says the delay is due to ongoing objections to several presidential candidates. Once certification is completed, then county clerks’ offices can begin producing ballots for in-person and mail voters. At the current time, the state board expects to complete the objection process by February 11, with the board meeting by February 12.
Galvin says this is the earliest absentee ballots have ever been available for a presidential primary. “Once final certifications are received, we will move as quickly as possible to finalize ballots, program machines and open for voting”.
“We have to proof our ballots to make sure everything it correct”, she said. Instead, county clerks are being told by the state they should be ready no later than February 17. “If we don’t get the printed ballot back in time, we will use the write-in”.
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Those hoping to take advantage of early voting for the March primary will have to wait a little longer in many IL counties, including Morgan.
