Normal advised to keep candidates off the ballot for positions that don’t exist

Posted on December 8, 2022

NORMAL – The names of three people seeking election to jobs either appointed or nonexistent should not appear on next April’s election ballot in Normal, according to a legal opinion from a Chicago attorney.

The town government hired the outside counsel, Michael J. Kasper of the Kasper & Nottage law firm after election petitions were filed for town clerk, supervisor, and collector.

The town clerk’s position is appointed in Normal, and no one serves as Normal’s supervisor or collector. However, the candidates and their supporters claim state law requires an election for all three posts after a judge in September declared Normal to be an incorporated town.

Friday, Normal’s electoral board is scheduled to review objections to the election petitions. The objections, filed by former Normal Town Council member Jeffrey Fritzen and Normal resident Patrick Dullard, lay the groundwork for the matter to possibly be heard in court.

Fritzen and Dullard are represented by former Normal and Bloomington City Attorney Todd Greenburg.

The dispute might be settled in court if someone appeals the electoral board’s decision.

Friday’s electoral board meeting is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. in council chambers.

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