Madison County Clerk Debbie Ming-Mendoza confirmed that an investigation is pending regarding suspected voter fraud for write-in candidates on mail-in ballots.
Ming-Mendoza said she did not have information on the investigation itself, but explained that a team of Republican and Democrat election judges raised concerns after discovering the same handwriting for write-in candidates while processing mail-in ballots for the Democratic primary election.
“It was the handwriting that drew their concerns,” she said.
She explained that roughly 39 ballots were flagged and came from various precincts in Madison County, with most coming from Venice. She said those ballots were not counted in the election totals.
Ming-Mendoza added that similar handwriting can be normal and wouldn’t immediately raise concerns if the voter indicated on the ballot card that he or she received assistance. However, she said the certification envelope for the ballots in question did not have any indication of assistance.
She said that after the election judges discovered the suspected fraudulent ballots, she immediately notified law enforcement.
“In my mind, the process worked,” Ming-Mendoza said. “The judges saw something that caused them concern. They notified me. I notified law enforcement.”
Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine has petitioned the court to appoint a special prosecutor. That case was sealed by Madison County Chief Judge Bill Mudge.
Mudge denied a request to unseal the case connected to the investigation.
“I’ve been able to confirm that the investigation is still pending and that there is a need to protect the integrity of it at this time. Once completed, I will vacate the protective order,” he said.
If Haine’s request is granted, it will be referred to the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office.
Haine could not be reached for comment.
Ming-Mendoza did not specify who the write-in candidates were on the ballots in question.
While anyone can be written in regardless of candidacy, there are currently two official write-in candidates running on the Democratic ticket for circuit judge in Madison County.
Barry Julian and Ebony Huddleston announced their intent to run as write-in candidates after they were removed from the ballot over errors on their nominating petitions. The petitions indicated that signatures were gathered on a start date of Jan. 13. However, the Judicial Circuits Redistricting Act of 2022, which was supported by Democrats and signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Jan. 7, established that petitions could not be circulated earlier than 15 days after enactment - or Jan. 22.