Progress Illinois has been following the case from the beginning. Their latest report is on today’s oral arguments:
The jest of the case, Oberman tells us, is that the 17th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was crafted to guarantee the electorate’s right to choose its representation democratically. That, the plaintiffs argue, usurps state law, which grants the governor appointment powers.
“The purpose of the 17th Amendment was to have popular elections of senators,” Oberman argued in court today. “It wasn’t to have appointments.” (Listen to the complete audio of his oral argument here.)
Moreover, Oberman argued today, appointments are intended to be temporary; therefore, a special election needs to be called before, not upon, the end of a term.
WBEZ also ran a story on the suit this afternoon. Check it out here.
(Photo courtesy of Flickr/o palsson)
