A Cesspool for Human Error

Neal filed his signatures to get on the ballot. Now he has to defend them.

Show Notes

Neal filed over 18,000 signatures to get on the ballot, but they were challenged by mayoral candidate Willie Wilson. Now Neal and a team of volunteers have to defend each challenged signature before the board of elections, a time-consuming and difficult process. Hear from Neal and two of his volunteers, including a Chicago high school student, on what it's like to analyze handwriting and stay on the good side of records examiners.

Show Notes

• Our previous episode, "Neal Files For Mayor," covered what it was like to turn in the petition sheets (0:41)
• Willie Wilson had talked previously about his plans to challenge fellow black mayoral candidates' petitions, and in November had called for them to "get out of the way" (0:47)
• Rickey Hendon's Wikipedia page (0:55)
• Rickey Hendon's Facebook Live video (1:03)

What is Neal Runs For Mayor?

Go behind the scenes of Neal Sáles-Griffin's quest to become mayor of Chicago. Follow along as a first-time candidate navigates the byzantine world of Chicago politics, and hear from Neal's colleagues, friends, family—and Neal himself.