Gallagher v. Cook County Officers Electoral Board

In a case involving a ballot challenge, respondents appealed from a trial court decision that the circulator affidavits of two candidates for the appellate court complied with statutory requirements. Objectors argued that the circulator affidavits did not comply with section 7-10 of the Election Code because the date range for when the nominating papers were signed deviated from the language of the statute. The appellate court affirmed, explaining that the language of section 7-10 indicates that requirements as to form for a nominating petition only require substantial, not strict compliance, and found that the statements contained in the circulator affidavits substantially complied with the statute. (BRENNAN, concurring and McDADE, specially concurring)