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Local Government Q&A Question: When can a political party nominate
by caucus?
An established political party in a municipality or a township with a
population of less than 5,000 may choose its candidates by caucus. 10 ILCS
5/10-1. No other government may use this simplified process and an attempt
to improperly do so can result in a slate of candidates being removed from
the ballot. Established political parties are those that polled more than
5 % of the vote cast for the unit of local government in question in the
last election. 10 ILCS 5/10-2. Municipal established party caucuses are
to be held on January 8, 2001. 10 ILCS 5/10-1(a). Township established party
caucuses are to be held on January 9, 2001, the second Tuesday in January
prior to the township election. Multi-township established party caucuses
are to be held on January 10, 2001, the second Wednesday in January prior
to the township election. 60 ILCS 1/45-10.
Any eligible municipal established party caucus may make one nomination
for each office if they file a certificate of nomination with the municipal
clerk no earlier than 78 days and no later than 71 days before the election
at which the nominated candidates are to be on the ballot.
The municipal clerk provides notice for the time and place of the caucus.
In municipalities with a population of more than 500, the notice of the
caucus must be printed in a newspaper published in the municipality. If
the municipality does not have a newspaper, then the notice is printed in
a newspaper published in the county with general circulation in the municipality.
The notice must be published or posted at least ten days before the caucus.
10 ILCS 5/10-1(b).
In municipalities with a population of 500 or less, the municipal clerk
shall post the notice in three of the most public places in the municipality.
10 ILCS 5/10-1(b).
Attendance at the caucus is limited to registered voters who reside within
the municipality. However, no voter shall participate in more than one party
caucus. 10 ILCS 5/10-1(e).
There are dangers related to using the caucus system. The principal danger
is that individuals who are not really associated with the established political
party may appear and take over the caucus, thus dictating the candidates
of the caucus by receiving a majority vote.
Therefore, there are several alternatives to using the caucus system.
First, municipalities with a population of 5,000 of less may determine by
ordinance that political parties shall nominate candidates for municipal
office by primary election instead of by caucus. The municipal clerk shall
certify the ordinance to the proper election officials no later than November
15, 2000. 10 ILCS 5/7-1(b).
Second, in townships in counties having a population of more than 3,000,000
and in townships with a population of more than 15,000 in counties of 3,000,000
or less, the Township Central Committee of each established political party
may file a statement if they wish to nominate their candidates by primary
election rather than by caucus. The statement must be filed with the proper
election officials no later than November 15, 2000. 60 ILCS 1/45-55.
Third, another alternative to using the caucus system is nominating through
the use of a new political party. A new political party is a political party
which did not receive more than 5% of the entire vote cast for the unit
of local government in question in the last election. 10 ILCS 5/10-2. Nominating
through the use of a new political party avoids the requirement of having
to participate in the primary election -- which an established political
party is required to do. If the new political party receives 5% plus 1 of
the votes cast at that election, it becomes an established political party.
In order to avoid becoming an established political party, a new political
party may change its name every election. For example, at one election,
the new political party may be named "Active Party." At the next
election, the same new political party may be named "Action Party."
Our lawyers are ready to help candidates in getting on and staying on
the ballot. If you have questions, contact Keri-Lyn Krafthefer or Stewart
Diamond.
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