Chicago City Wire

Former Chicago Commissioner of Elections Chris Robling is calling for election fraud to be prosecuted after the recent prosecution announcement of five people accused of casting ballots on behalf of the dead.

"As a former Chicago Commissioner of Elections, I hope the local prosecutor pursues these cases to the full extent of the law, given the specific facts. All election fraud must be answered by vigorous prosecution," Robling said.

The prosecutions were the result of efforts by the DuPage County State’s Attorney Office and County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek.

“The very foundation of our country is built upon fair and free elections,” DuPage County State's Attoney Bob Berlin said in a press release. “Elections are a sacred duty and while the five defendants charged today represent an infinitesimal percentage of the 491,067 votes cast in the 2020 general election, it is important that anyone suspected of attempting to interfere in any way in the election process be investigated and charged where appropriate."

The question of election integrity has come into focus following reports of widespread irregularities across the country in the past presidential election.

The prosecution announcement comes as Sen. Darren Bailey has called on the state to return to paper ballots to better track votes.

The Republican from Louisville is running for the GOP nomination for governor.

"Paper ballots aren’t hooked to a modem, connected to the Internet, and susceptible to hackers or electronic fraud," Bailey said in a press release. "They are clear, they are simple, and they are easy for voters to use. I firmly believe that paper ballots are the best and most reliable way to secure our vote counts and to restore public confidence in elections."

Champaign County Recorder of Deeds Mark Shelden, who oversaw elections for 14 years as Champaign County Clerk, said voting machines currently employed in the state are susceptible to "fraud" and "manipulation."