Wheaton, IL – Non profit organizations Illinois Family Action and Breakthrough Ideas; along with lawfully registered Illinois voter Carol J. Davis; join with Judicial Watch in announcing that a federal lawsuit has been filed against the Illinois State Board of Elections and its Executive Director, Bernadette Matthews. At issue is failure to comply with federal law regarding voter roll maintenance (the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, NVRA). The lawsuit was filed in United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Details of the lawsuit can be found in the Judicial Watch press release at this link: https://www.judicialwatch.org/illinois-voting-rolls/
The NVRA requires states to “conduct a general program that makes a reasonable effort to remove” from the official voter rolls “the names of ineligible voters” who have died or changed residence. The law requires registrations to be cancelled when voters fail to respond to address confirmation notices and then fail to vote in the next two general federal elections.
According to Davis, “The research conducted by Judicial Watch indicates that both the Illinois State Board of Elections and many Illinois counties show a shocking disregard of and lack of compliance with federal law.” Davis went on to say, “There is a crisis of confidence regarding the accuracy of elections among voters in recent years. One of the primary factors contributing to this lack of confidence is poorly-maintained voter rolls. Every serious election official must view maintaining accurate voter rolls as one of their primary duties. The voting public demands this.”
Judicial Watch has a prominent national reputation and a successful record as advocates for election integrity. Illinois Family Action (https://illinoisfamilyaction.org/), Breakthrough Ideas (https://www.breakthrough-ideas.com/) and Carol J. Davis (https://www.ilpac.org/) are pleased and honored that Judicial Watch has come alongside them to help advocate for properly maintained voter rolls in an effort to ensure honest elections throughout the state of Illinois.