Getting on the ballot (if you can)

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners was ruthless in its examination of candidate petitions. At one time, directional abbreviations were not accepted. It was ruled that “N.”, “S.”, “W.”, and “E.” could mean different things. Voters had to spell out the entire word. 

The Illinois State Board of Elections was less stringent in its oversight. In 1974, Martin Dickman filed a nominating petition for the position of “State Representative,” which did not legally exist at the time. The office was called “Representative in the General Assembly.”

His opponent refused to file a challenge, though, believing a person should not be thrown off the ballot on a technicality.

The agency accepted the petition, anyway. Still, Dickman lost.