Illinois county election board cuts 4 candidates over paper clips

MURPHYSBORO — James Bond may prefer his martinis "shaken, not stirred," but a southern Illinois county election board prefers its filings stapled, not clipped, so much so that it has kicked four candidates off the November ballot -- all Republican.

The Democrat-controlled election board southern Jackson County has kicked four Republican candidates off the November ballot for using paper clips instead of staples on their filings.

The Jackson County GOP calls the action by the county's election board undemocratic.

The appointed board is comprised of State's Attorney Mike Wepsie, Sheriff Robert Burns and Clerk Larry Reinhardt. It disqualified GOP candidates for county board, circuit clerk, coroner and state's attorney.

Jackson County Republican Party chairwoman Gloria Campos says the GOP will appeal once that panel issues its written decision, which is expected later this week.

During a hearing Monday, Wepsiec said the law makes clear that the candidates' binding their filings with the county clerk is insufficient.