IL-02 special election thread

[muon2]

That's kind of bizzare to resign shortly after winning reelection, before your next term even began.

It's not at all unusual in IL. If a resignation is likely (as it was here) then the organization benefits by waiting until after the election. There is always the risk of an unknown winning if the seat opens up or appears to effectively open before the general (see for example the indicted Rostenkowski in 1994). With a special election organizations can better get their voters to turnout for the replacement. For lower offices in IL there is no special election and by waiting until after the election the party in power has the ability to appoint a successor until the next election.

[muon2]

Illinois law indicates the election would need to take place by March 16, but the county clerks plan on asking a judge to waive the law so they can hold the election at the same time as municipal elections. If the county clerks get their way the primary election would be February 26 and the general on April 9.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/16543199-418/how-a-special-election-for-jesse-jackson-jrs-open-seat-could-work.html

It would be difficult and confusing to hold an election during the early voting period for the consolidated elections, which includes all local districts such as parks, schools, townships, and mosquito abatement districts. If a waiver is not granted the most logical alternative would be to hold the special election on the municipal primary date and hold the special primary in early Jan. that however would start early voting for the special primary in late Dec.

[muon2]

Early voting began today, and it still looks like it's between Halvorson, Hutchinson, and Kelly. The race seems largely about gun control since both Halvorson and Hutchinson have in the past enjoyed good ratings from the NRA which is now used against them. A most interesting feature related to that has been the roughly million dollar expenditure by NY Mayor Bloomberg on behalf of Kelly.