Galesburg Reporter

An objection to Ward 1 Alderman Justin Thomas's nomination papers has been overruled by the local Electoral Board, clearing the way for him to be on the April ballot.

The objection came from the incumbent's opponent, Court Hopkins, who alleged multiple errors in Thomas' papers.

Hopkins' chief complaint with his opponent's papers was that his candidacy statement for a consolidated election was incorrect, showing his political affiliation for a nonpartisan race.

In the Jan. 7 ruling, the Monmouth Electoral Board found that, per the Illinois Electoral Boards' manual, nomination papers for a nonpartisan race that state party affiliation are not disqualifying, and the ballots do not include party affiliation. The board members found that Thomas' intention to run as an Independent was clear from the beginning.

"I believe they reviewed the case and gave their honest opinion before voting," Thomas said, The Register-Mail reported, about the board's ruling in his favor. "There are similar cases to this that have gone under judicial review and were ruled in favor of the person who was running for the elected position. I look forward to the challenge of running against Mr. Hopkins and wish him the best of luck."

In early January, the Monmouth Electoral Board consisting of Mayor Rod Davies, City Clerk Susan Trever and Alderman Dan Heatherly held the hearing.

Hopkins used a case of a Warren County state attorney candidate, Andrew Youngquist, being disqualified from the primary and general elections due to similar objections to his nomination papers.

Youngquist, who filed as a Republican in the primary, was removed from the ballot because his paperwork wasn't numbered. Election officials later withdrew Youngquist from the general election for trying to file under a different party affiliation in the same election cycle.

The board found Youngquist's case not comparable to Thomas', because there is no primary for the consolidated election.

All other issues Hopkins alleged in Thomas' papers were found to be in substantial compliance with Illinois' election code.

In a Jan. 8 Facebook post after the hearing, Hopkins said he was disappointed in the board's decision.

"I'm extremely disappointed with the double standard displayed by the City of Monmouth," he wrote. "When the Mayor is a member of the election board and is friends with Alderman Thomas and is voting on the matter, I knew they would not have integrity. The deep-embedded corruption needs to stop."