Friday, February 19, 2016

IL Challenge to Cruz's Presidential Eligibility


Lawrence Joyce, an Illinois voter who has objected to Cruz's placement on the Illinois Primary ballot next month, will have his case heard in the Circuit Court of Cook County in Chicago. Joyce's previous objection, made to the state's Board of Elections, was dismissed on February 1. He appealed the decision and was granted a hearing for Friday before Judge Maureen Ward Kirby.

"What I fear is that Ted Cruz becomes the nominee, come September, Congressman Alan Grayson of Florida will go forward with his threats and probably several other Democrats will file suit to prevent Ted Cruz from being on the ballot," Joyce, a pharmacist and attorney from Poplar Grove, Ill, said. Grayson, a Democrat, has told reporters that he will file a lawsuit contesting Cruz's citizenship if the senator from Texas wins the GOP nomination.

"What Democrats will do at that point is cherry pick which county courthouse they are going to show up in order to file these petitions," Joyce said. "And at that point, I fear they'll get a string of victories in the lower courts and the funding for Ted Cruz would dry up, his numbers would plummet in the polls, he may be forced to give up the nomination."

Joyce, who said he is backing Republican contender Ben Carson, said he has not spoken to the Trump campaign. But Joyce did say he raised the issue with the Carson campaign, which he said was uninterested in pursuing the matter.

A Federal lawsuit was filed in Texas last month asking for a determination of Cruz's eligibility to run. And voters in New York, who raised similar concerns about Cruz's citizenship, on Thursday filed a challenge with the state Board of Election challenging the senator's eligibility to be on the ballot.

Even if the judge declares Cruz to be ineligible to run, the GOP candidate’s campaign would undoubtedly file an appeal, potentially tying the case up for months.

It’s surprising that a lower court would even agree to hear the case, which is entangled in broader constitutional issues.

Maybe this is where it needs to start that long road to the Supreme Court.











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