IL Board of Elections could rule Tuesday on ballot challenges in race to replace 'Chuy' Garcia
Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia used back-door maneuver to ensure Patty Garcia was only Democrat to appear on primary ballot
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Two independent candidates for U.S. Congress could find out Tuesday if their names will be on the November ballot.
Illinois elections officers said Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez and Mayra Macías do not have enough petition signatures to be on the November ballot.
Both candidates are running to replace outgoing Congressman Chuy Garcia.
The minimum signature requirement was 10,816. Both Sigcho-Lopez and Macías said they submitted more than enough, but those submissions were challenged.
They have fought against the findings and plan to speak later Tuesday morning.
The race has been controversial since Congressman Chuy Garcia's last-minute decision not to seek reelection, essentially ensuring his chief of staff, Patty Garcia, would be the only Democrat on the primary ballot.
Patty Garcia is not related to the congressman.
Macías called the petition challenge "disenfranchisement."
Sigcho-Lopez said he's willing to take the legal battle to the Illinois Supreme Court.
An official decision could come Tuesday, when the full Illinois State Board of Elections meets to make a ruling.
Lyons Mayor Chris Getty is also running as an independent candidate and his petitions were not challenged.
