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Libertarian Party to remain on November ballot

Democrats succeeded in getting a slate of Green Party candidates wiped from the November ballot. But the Libertarian Party had enough signatures to withstand a Republican challenge before the State Board of Elections. And now the Libertarians have withstood a court challenge as well. IPR's Amanda Vinicky has the latest.                                                                                              
Sometimes you can actually hear the smile in someone's voice. I didn't actually see Chad Grimm's face upon hearing the news that he'll remain on the ballot as the Libertarian nominee for governor. But, he sure sounds happy:


"Everything's great. To the best of my ballot, from the phone call that I just got, the judge isn't even hearing the case."

A Republican attorney had tried to get the Libertarians knocked out of the race. He argued there were problems with the individuals who'd circulated the petitions Libertarians submitted to get on the ballot. The GOP lawyer says that would make the signatures they’d collected invalid.

But in just a two-page order, a Sangamon County judge found Republicans did not have evidence of fraud, and denied hearing the case.

Political observers say Grimm could pull votes away from Republican Bruce Rauner in what's expected to be a neck-and-neck race with Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. Here's Grimm's reaction:

“I want to get rid of the wasted vote syndrome. There's three people in this race, it's not a wasted vote.”

He says being taken seriously as he campaigns will be easier now that his spot on the ballot is assured.
 

Amanda Vinicky moved to Chicago Tonight on WTTW-TV PBS in 2017.