The public must have the right to consider a wide range of views and make up its own mind. Serious defenders of democratic rights believe the electoral process should provide a forum for the widest possible discussion and debate on important issues of the day. The state of Illinois is proud to declare itself the “land of Lincoln.” But Lincoln came to prominence as the candidate of a third party that challenged the existing bipartisan consensus in favor of slavery.

It is ironic that this hearing takes place only two days after the Fourth of July, which celebrates the birth of the United States as a democratic republic, and two days after the fortieth anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which lifted long-standing legal infringements on the democratic rights of African-Americans. The right to vote, the right to have one’s vote counted, and the right of citizens to have as wide a spectrum of political choices as possible have emerged as critical matters of public concern in America, especially in the aftermath of the contested national election of 2000.

The issues involved in this attempt to keep me off of the ballot have implications that go far beyond the 103rd district of Illinois. It has no factual basis and should be rejected by this panel. The objection filed by the Democratic Party against my candidacy is a serious attack on democratic rights. (See: Illinois election board defers ruling on ballot status for SEP candidate) The hearing was held July 5 to consider a challenge from Illinois Democratic Party officials against the petitions filed by Mackaman for ballot status in the November election. Below is the statement given by Tom Mackaman, Socialist Equality Party candidate for state representative in the Illinois 103rd legislative district, to a hearing of the Champaign County Election Board.

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