There are reports, at least in one neighboring county, that the third parties in yesterdays primary were discriminated against.  To vote in an Illinois primary, one must declare which political party’s ballot to vote for.  Some may not know that there were a few third party races being contested.  Also, the only way to change your party affiliation in Illinois is through the primary process.  Whichever ballot you pull, Illinois will consider you a member of that party until you vote for a different party in a subsequent primary election.  Those numbers become important to the respective parties.

SB733 is the bill introduced into the Illinois Senate that would level the playing field for 3^rd and new political parties in Illinois.  Currently, a non established party in Illinois needs 5 times more signatures on petitions to get ballot access than the established parties.  Currently, the Democrat Party, Republican Party, and Green Party are the only established political parties according to Illinois election law.  The Libertarian Party had ballot access in 2002, but as I understand it, since this party did not run an Executive Slate in the last general election they lose ballot access. (please let me know if I’m wrong about this)