Aurora Electoral Board removes alderman-at-large candidate from ballot
The race for Aurora alderman-at-large is now a three-person competition, as the Aurora Electoral Board removed candidate Joseph Grisson III from the ballot Tuesday morning.
The board ruled Grisson did not have enough valid signatures on his nominating petitions, after removing the signatures of people who were not registered to vote at the address they listed on the petition.
Grisson's attorney, Bonnie Kunkel, had argued at previous hearings the signatures should be counted as valid, because the people still lived in Aurora, albeit elsewhere, and Grisson is seeking the at-large seat.
But board member Mayor Richard Irvin said Tuesday state law mandates petition signers must be registered at the address they provide.
The complaint against Grisson was filed by competitor Raymond Hull, who exclaimed "Yesssss!" when the board's attorney announced his recommendation.
Grisson told the electoral board he intends to ask a judge to review the decision.
Friday is the last day for the city clerk to certify the April 6, candidate list and submit it to the Kane County clerk.
Brooke Shanley and Ron Woerman are the other candidates for the seat. Hull had challenged Woerman's candidacy, contending Woerman did not live in Aurora. The electoral board denied the challenge this month.