A special election to replace Aaron Schock in Congress will be later in the summer than expected after the federal government stepped in to ensure military voters have a chance to cast ballots. In action Tuesday, Gov. Bruce Rauner set the dates for the 18th Congressional District primary for June 8, but he acknowledged that it could be late June or early July once negotiations with the U.S. Department of Justice conclude. The Republican governor set the general election for the post for July 24 but said it could be late August before balloting actually occurs.
At issue are concerns first reported earlier Tuesday by the Quad-City Times Springfield bureau. According to Rauner’s office, the Justice Department thinks that the compressed timetable for holding a special election in the district could make it tough for county clerks to get ballots to overseas military voters in time to be counted.
Similar concerns triggered the state and the federal government to enter into a consent decree in 2013 seeking to ensure there were no violations of federal election law.
Rauner said the state is working on a revised agreement, but he hopes also to eventually fix the problem by changing state law.
Full Article: Special election for Schock seat could be in August.