By AP/KWMU
East St. Louis, Ill. – The St. Clair County Board Chairman has named a panel to look into election procedures in the county.
Mark Kern's action comes two months after five Democratic Party leaders in East St. Louis were convicted in a vote-buying scheme. The panel's goal will be to find ways to prevent future vote fraud.
One option might be to merge election boards. East St. Louis has its own election board, separate from St. Clair County. Kern says that would make it easier to monitor election procedures, though such a move would require voter approval in East St. Louis.
Prosecutors in the case relied on audio-tapes on which those accused could be heard talking about paying $5 per vote, and whether that amount would be enough. Those convicted have asked a federal judge for new trials or acquittals.
Kern named three Democratic and two Republican members of the county board to the new committee.