Michelle Pennington Calls for Urgent Reform on Election Integrity Amid Concerns Over Improper Ballot Handling in Cook County (Chicago, IL) – Michelle Pennington, Republican candidate for Cook County Clerk, is raising serious concerns regarding election integrity and the alarming issues surrounding improper ballot handling in Cook County. Recent incidents have highlighted the need for immediate action to ensure that every vote counts and that the voting process remains transparent and secure.
In a recent encounter, Skokie voter Eric Gibson shared his experience during early voting, which revealed a troubling gap in protocol regarding mail-in ballots. After presenting his identification and being informed that he had been issued a mail-in ballot, Mr. Gibson presented an unopened mail-in ballot. He was taken aback when the election judge attempted to mark his unopened ballot as “spoiled” without actually opening the envelope and spoiling the ballot itself. This raises a critical question: What safeguards are in place to prevent someone from misusing an unopened mail-in ballot?
“I have heard too many stories like this,” Pennington stated. “This incident underscores the necessity for stricter adherence to protocol to ensure that ballots are properly handled. It is not enough to simply mark an envelope as spoiled; the integrity of the ballot itself must be preserved. We cannot allow any ambiguity in the process.”
Pennington emphasizes the importance of comprehensive training for Early Voting officials, Election Day Poll Workers (Election Judges), and staff to follow proper procedures when handling mail-in ballots.
“We must ensure that every election official understands that spoiling a ballot requires more than just marking the envelope. This is a fundamental aspect of protecting our democratic process.”
The Cook County Clerk’s office has a responsibility to uphold the integrity of our elections, and Pennington is committed to implementing reforms that will prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. This includes:
A. Enhanced Training: Instituting rigorous training programs for election judges to ensure proper handling of all ballots, with clear protocols for spoiling mail-in ballots.
- Public Transparency: Establishing a system for reporting and addressing concerns related to ballot handling and election integrity, allowing voters to feel secure in the process.
- Regular Audits: Conducting frequent audits of election procedures to identify and rectify any weaknesses in our systems.
As Election Day approaches, Pennington urges voters to remain vigilant and to report any irregularities they witness.
“We must work together to protect our elections,” she said. “Our democracy depends on it.”
For more information about Michelle Pennington’s campaign and her commitment to election integrity, please visit https://www.
For more information or to contact or interview Michelle, Mr. Gibson, or others willing to speak on their first-hand experiences with election integrity issues, please contact the representative above.
Michelle Pennington Calls for Urgent Reform on Election Integrity Amid Concerns Over Improper Ballot Handling in Cook County
