In conjunction with an article on ballot access in Illinois, the River Cities' Reader sent out an e-mail survey to third-party officials and candidates. Below are the unedited responses we received covering thee parties: Constitution, Green, and Libertarian.
Our survey included one overarching question: Is the Illinois ballot-access system fair and reasonable? If not, how would you like to see it changed?
We also included five more-specific questions:
1) Is the 25,000-signature threshold for new political parties a reasonable standard? If not, what number of signatures would you prefer?
2) Do you support a filing-fee alternative to petition signatures? If so, what amount would be reasonable?
3) In your experience, does the Illinois State Board of Elections handle petition challenges fairly and equitably? Please elaborate on any experiences good or bad.
4) What changes, if any, would you like to see made to the petition-challenge process?
5) Have the time and resources required to gather signatures and fight petition challenges hampered your party's ability to campaign, either this year or in the past? If so, in what ways?