CHICAGO — Political party leaders in the Quad Cities are weighing in after the Illinois Board of Elections voted unanimously to keep former president Donald Trump on the primary election ballot.
The board’s unanimous ruling comes after its hearing officer, a retired judge and Republican, found that a “preponderance of the evidence” shows Trump is ineligible to run for president because he violated a constitutional ban on those who “engaged in insurrection” from holding office. But the hearing officer recommended the board let the courts make the ultimate decision.
The eight-member board, composed of four Democrats and four Republicans, agreed with a recommendation from its lawyer to let Trump remain on the ballot by determining it didn't have the authority to determine whether he violated the U.S Constitution.
Two party leaders in the Quad Cities area think the board made the right move — for different reasons.
"The board recognizes that there is the rule of law. There are certain things you can and can't do as a board, or government body. And they passed it on to where it will be ultimately resolved," State Rep. Mike Halpin (D - Rock Island) said.
"They're trying to interfere with the election to do anything else, and Donald Trump absolutely should be on the ballot here in Illinois and he is most certainly going to collect a strong vote from the Republican primary voters," Bureau County Republican chair Barry Welbers said.
The state's decision comes a week before the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments on whether the Republican’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol disqualifies him from the presidency, in a case based in Colorado.
"We have an obligation to respect its opinions and the institution, and if there's a bad decision, we work to change," Rep. Halpin said.
"I cannot see any evidence that's ever been presented to them, that would cause them to side with Colorado," Welbers said.
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