To the Editor:
According to the 2010 Census, East St. Louis had a total population of 27,006. The population for those 18 and over, or those eligible to vote, was 19,098. With 22,000 registered voters, it seems to be a numerical impossibility for East St. Louis' Board of Elections to have an accurate or legal list of register voters.
The East St. Louis Board of Elections may have as many as 10,000 "extra" voters registered. We know they have nearly 3,000.
The East St. Louis Alliance for Change requested a list of deceased persons from the St. Clair County Coroner's office and was referred to the St. Clair County Clerk's office. They removed deceased persons using the actual death certificates but kept no lists of those removed. Unfortunately, the law governing this process, 10ILCS5/4-14, does not require them to keep such a list nor outline any penalty for failing to do so.
The same is true for the election laws governing voter registration cancellation for inactivity, 10ILCS5/ 6-58. Exactly what is the process for inspecting compliance to these laws? If a violation is discovered, whose job is it exactly to enforce these critical election laws?
The St. Clair State's Attorney office seems to think that it is not their job to ensure compliance to the election code. The Illinois Attorney General seems to think that it is their job though.
Please call the St. Clair County State's Attorney office and ask them to please begin an inquiry into why we have more registered voters than eligible voters in East St. Louis at 618-277-3892.
Matt Hawkins
City Council Candidate
East St. Louis
East St. Louis has more registered voters than eligible voters
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