Illinois: class action re lack of notice to challenged absentee voters
A class action has been filed in the Northern District of Illinois regarding the untimely notice given to absentee voters of challenges to their ballots.
Bruce Zessar voted by absentee ballot in Lake County, Illinois, but his ballot was never counted because the election officials determined that the signature was not the same. The election officials did not notify Zessar until mid-January that his ballot had not been counted.
Zessar now seeks a reformation of the process. His suit points out, "The state of Illinois otherwise goes to great lengths to allow individuals to vote and to defend his [sic] ballot over a challenge. ... The validity of [absentee ballots] is determined by election officials without any opportunity to defend, although it would no difficulty to afford it."
Zessar v. Helander, No. 05-1917, N.D. Ill. The complaint is here (without the exhibits).