Judge tosses ballot challenge against Cruz in Illinois

Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas and 2016 presidential candidate, speaks during a campaign rally at Durango Community Center YMCA in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Monday, Feb. 22, 2016.

Instead, Kirby reaffirmed the decision from the Elections Board that Cruz is a United States citizen because of “the naturalization process at some point after birth”.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi wouldn’t say whether she thought Cruz was a “naturally-born” citizen when asked about it at her weekly press conference. When the board rejected the complaint, he filed the lawsuit seeking judicial review in Cook County.

Specifically, Ward Kirby said Joyce did not properly serve Cruz or the members of the election board with copies of his petition before the court. They claim, and others agree, that “naturalized at birth” by virtue of his mother’s citizenship does not equate to “natural-born”, and that Cruz’s name should be struck from the ballot. The Illinois primary is on March 15, but early voting has already begun. Donald Trump has also openly questioned Cruz’s eligibility. His father is from Cuba. “But it’s a matter of strict compliance”.

But Kirby said she was required to dismiss the case, because state law stipulates the candidate be served with the complaint.

Joyce said he has not yet decided whether he will appeal the ruling. “Depending on what happens today on Super Tuesday, that whole point might become a moot point”, Joyce told reporters.

An Illinois voter filed a lawsuit challenging the ability of Cruz, who was born in Canada, to run for president.

Joyce was supporting Ben Carson for the GOP nomination.

Had the judge been able to review the case, Langenstein said, she felt confident in their standing about Cruz’s citizenship. The senator from Texas is fighting similar challenges in his home state as well as in New York, Alabama and Utah. Some legal experts do not expect any court to invalidate a presidential candidate on the issue.