Alderman Sigcho-Lopez Sued Illinois Election Board
The legal action challenges ballot signature requirements after the candidate was removed from the District 4 race.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Elections
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In August 2026, 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez filed a lawsuit against the Illinois State Board of Elections. The action followed his disqualification, alongside Mayra Macías, from the District 4 congressional race for failing to meet signature requirements.
Why it matters
The lawsuit argues that the state's signature threshold imposes an undue burden on independent candidates compared to partisan contenders. Officials maintain these requirements are necessary to prevent frivolous ballot entries.
Independent candidates in the district must collect signatures totaling 5-8% of the previous election's total votes to qualify. Following the disqualifications, four candidates remain in the 4th Congressional District race.
The players
Byron Sigcho-Lopez
He is the 25th Ward alderman who has held office since 2019.
Illinois State Board of Elections
This government agency oversees the administration of election laws and ballot access requirements in Illinois.
Mayra Macías
She was a candidate for the District 4 race who was disqualified alongside Sigcho-Lopez.
The details
Sigcho-Lopez and Macías were removed from the ballot after failing to reach the mandated 11,000 signature requirement. The suit claims partisan candidates possess significant resource advantages when gathering signatures, making the requirement harder for independents to fulfill.
Timeline
Byron Sigcho-Lopez began serving as 25th Ward alderman in 2019.
The lawsuit against the state election board was filed in August 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the lawsuit argue that signature thresholds protect the integrity of the ballot by discouraging non-serious candidates. Supporters of the challenge contend that such high requirements effectively reinforce a two-party dominance that limits voter choice.
The disqualification of these candidates limits the ballot options for voters in District 4. Residents should be aware that the remaining pool of candidates for the congressional seat has been reduced to four individuals.
The takeaway
Legal challenges regarding ballot access highlight the ongoing tension between maintaining electoral standards and ensuring candidate inclusivity. Voters should monitor court proceedings to understand how potential rulings might shift future requirements for independent candidates.
Further reading
For more on local voting issues, visit the Elections section.
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Should states lower signature requirements to make it easier for independent candidates to run?
