(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Mayoral candidate Willie Wilson filed a civil-rights lawsuit Monday against the Chicago Board of Elections over its proposal to cut 779 voting precincts ahead of the Nov. 8 election.
The federal lawsuit claims consolidating precincts and polling places so close to the fall mid-terms and city elections in the spring would create confusion and deny voters their constitutional rights.
Standing in front of the Dirksen Courthouse downtown, the businessman and philanthropist said his lawsuit is not political and that he would challenge the proposal even if the wasn’t running for mayor.
Former state Sen. Ricky Hendon applauds the push to halt the changes, saying if it was done under a Republican administration, national democrats would be screaming about a return to Jim Crow laws.
A Board of Elections spokesman says the consolidation follows a new state law that increased the size of voting precincts to include up to 1,800 registered voters.
Max Bever points out half of Chicago voters in the June election opted for early voting or by mail.
He tells WBBM Newsradio the overall number of polling locations will not be greatly affected for the next three elections.
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