IL State Board of Elections Sides with Republicans, Upholds Ballot Access for Jay Keeven

Court and Board Rulings Block Democrats' Attempts to Manipulate Election Rules

EDWARDSVILLE, IL – In a major victory for democracy and Republican candidates across Illinois, the State Board of Elections ruled today that Jay Keeven, the Republican candidate for Illinois House District 112, will remain on the ballot for the November general election. This decision, along with the Illinois Supreme Court's recent ruling, ensures that an unconstitutional law pushed by Democrats to manipulate the electoral process will not go into effect this election cycle.

"The ruling is a triumph not only for Jay Keeven and our Republican candidates but for all voters who believe in fair elections," said Ray Wesley, Chairman of the Madison County Republican Central Committee. "For months, Democrats in Springfield have tried every tactic to keep Republicans off the ballot in key races, but today, the rule of law and the principles of democracy prevailed."

The controversy began earlier this year when Democrats hurriedly passed a law preventing political parties from slating candidates for the general election if no candidate had run in the primary. The law, seen by many as a direct attempt to block Republican candidates like Jay Keeven, was challenged in court by Republican leaders and other affected candidates.

Last Friday, the Illinois Supreme Court issued a "Perlman order," which temporarily halts the enforcement of the law for the 2024 election cycle. Hours earlier, the State Board of Elections had dismissed a challenge against Keeven's candidacy, allowing him to remain on the ballot.

"Jay Keeven’s candidacy was never in doubt," Wesley continued. "He filed his nomination papers in accordance with the law in effect at the time, and the Democrat’s attempts to rewrite the rules mid-game have been rightfully rejected. This is a clear message to Madison County Illinois voters: the Republican Party will always stand up against partisan power grabs and will continue fighting for fair elections."

Jay Keeven, who is running in a highly competitive race against incumbent Democrat Katie Stuart, welcomed the decision and vowed to keep fighting for the people of Metro East. “For months, Democrats in Springfield have tried every possible way to keep the voters in the Metro-East from having a choice in November,” Keeven said in a statement. “Today, they lost. With every attempt to kick me off of the ballot, our campaign continues to gain momentum.