Zoey Carter launched her campaign last year in a bid against Rep, Travis Weaver, but that effort was derailed when she was removed from the March primary ballot. [Photo Zoey Carter website]

Zoey Carter, a Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 93rd House District, has been removed from the March primary ballot following a petition objection sustained by the Illinois State Board of Elections, according to a news release.

Carter said she learned of the decision this week after what she described as “a lengthy petition objection process.” While she said she respects the board’s authority, she disagreed with the reasoning behind the ruling.

“I am always respectful of our laws and grateful for the procedures we have in place to ensure our elections are as free and fair as possible,” Carter said. “The decision was made by the State Board of Elections, a decision that I respect, but that I reject based on the brazen political reasoning behind the objection.”

Carter launched her campaign last year as the sole challenger to incumbent Rep. Travis Weaver. She said she entered the race after hearing from residents who felt overlooked by state leadership.

“For decades, our communities have been forgotten, ignored and left to stagnate,” she said. “What I found was that people were ready. Ready for change. Ready for representation that works for them.”

MORE: Zoey Carter launches campaign for Illinois House District 93

The objection to her candidacy centered first on a claim that she improperly filed paperwork, followed by a challenge to the validity of signatures on her nominating petitions. Carter said she personally collected the signatures door‑to‑door and disputed the objections.

“The truth is, they’re worried,” she said. “The Republicans fear this small-town, working-class, trans woman from Pekin. When working families organize, when the community gathers, and when a trans woman knocks on doors in her hometown, people notice.”
Carter said voters in the district deserve a representative who earns support directly from constituents rather than relying on procedural challenges.

“They don’t want representation that, through a mountain of paperwork, ran a campaign,” she said. “They want representation that runs it by earning the support of the voters.”

Despite being removed from the primary ballot, Carter said she plans to continue campaigning ahead of the November general election.

“Our campaign will be decided by the voters’ will in November, not through paperwork, and it won’t be through fear,” she said. “We’ve only just begun.”