Illinois election leaders hear oral arguments over Biden, Trump appearing on primary ballot

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois State Board of Elections heard oral arguments regarding objections to President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump running as candidates in the primary election. There was an intense testimony during both hearings as advocates hope to prevent both men from getting votes in Illinois.

Former Republican congressional candidate and Holocaust denier Arthur Jones argued that President Biden should not be allowed to have a second term in office.

"I want it on the record that there are some people in this state who don't want to see Joseph Biden be given an opportunity to further destroy this country," Jones said.

Jones admitted to the ISBE hearing officer that he is not challenging any of Biden's nominating petitions or statement of candidacy. He argued that the president is not fit to continue leading the country.

"He is simply too ill to hold such a powerful office," Jones stressed. "His age is not the problem. His mental fitness is. His mind is a cluster house of confusion."

"Objection," shouted Biden campaign attorney Kevin Morphew. "Have you heard any of my objections or are we just going to keep going?"

Morphew said Jones was rambling and spreading false information throughout the hearing Friday morning. He also noted that Jones provided no evidence or legal reasoning for Biden to be kicked off the ballot in Illinois.

"He seeks to disqualify the candidate based on his policies," Morphew said. "That is not a disqualification for the ballot. That's a reason not to vote for a candidate, but it's not a disqualification to appear on the ballot."

Former Republican congressional candidate and Holocaust denier Arthur Jones argued with an ISBE hearing officer on January 26, 2024.

Meanwhile, Democrats across the state said Trump should not be allowed on the ballot due to the 14th amendment. Attorneys told ISBE hearing officers that Trump was responsible for the insurrection of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

"He incited the crowd into a frenzy against the Vice President of the United States, members of Congress, and in support of Mr. Trump's own state goal - stopping the process," said attorney Matthew Piers.

However, the Trump campaign argued that the former president never incited violence during his speech that day.

Piers did not buy that argument, noting that Trump's plan was known well before the rally that took place in Washington D.C.

"He encouraged and engaged in numerous efforts to prevent the peaceful transfer of power and the certification of the outcome of the 2020 presidential election which he lost to now president Joe Biden," Piers added.

"The timeline is that the violence started well before President Trump is even finished speaking and certainly well before anyone could get down there after his speech," said Scott Gessler, a Trump campaign attorney.

The Illinois State Board of Elections will rule on the objections to both presidential candidates Tuesday morning. Early voting for the 2024 primary election starts February 8. The Illinois primary election will take place on March 19.