Peoria Standard

Jim Rule, Chairman of Tazewell County Republicans, said that Illinois' voter roll issues reflect years of lax oversight by Democratic leaders. He added that the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) latest filing signals a long-overdue push for accountability and integrity. Rule made his statement to Peoria Standard.

"Illinois' voter rolls have faced long-standing issues, and this legal challenge marks a reckoning that has been years in the making," said Rule. "For too long, Democratic leaders have allowed a lax approach to voter list maintenance, ignoring clear responsibilities under federal law. Registered citizens of Illinois deserve a system that ensures accuracy, transparency, and integrity in voter registration. The status quo not only undermines public trust but also reflects a broader failure of leadership to uphold basic electoral standards."

According to Democracy Docket, the DOJ filed a statement of interest in a federal lawsuit alleging that Illinois fails to maintain accurate voter rolls, violating the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA). The DOJ emphasized that states—not local officials—bear responsibility for voter roll maintenance. Citing data suggesting minimal or no removals in some Illinois counties, the DOJ questioned the state’s compliance. Illinois argued that local authorities handle voter registration and urged dismissal, claiming no NVRA violation and lack of standing.

The Center Square reported in August 2024 on procedures for election integrity within the Illinois State Board of Elections. The Board said that 839,119 of almost 8 million registered voters are inactive. A voter becomes inactive after unsuccessful attempts to contact them. According to spokesman Matt Dietrich, "having a significant number of inactive voters is indicative of the state’s ongoing voter list maintenance efforts." He explained they are "basically voters who are awaiting cancellation but federal law requires that we give them two federal election cycles in case they reappear at their current address."

The Illinois Policy Institute outlined early voting requirements in Illinois: you must be a U.S. citizen, an Illinois resident for at least 30 days before the election, and at least 18 years old by November 5. You must also be registered to vote and not serving a prison sentence. Early voting runs from September 26 to November 4, with polling places varying by county. It is recommended to check with a local election authority to confirm your early voting location. While an ID isn't required for early voting, bringing one is advised in case of registration issues.

Jim Rule, a resident of Morton, was first elected as Chairman of the Tazewell County Republicans in 2018. According to the organization’s website, Rule is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Tazewell County voters."