Will County Gazette

Jim Oberweis is seeking volunteers to rehabilitate thousands of rejected GOP mail-in ballots.  

Oberweis declared victory in the race early but incumbent Lauren Underwood edged back in later counting, taking a lead by more than 4,000 votes 11 days after the election. 

Now, Oberweis is trying to ensure all ballots are properly counted. 

"We need volunteers to help us reach out to these thousands of GOP voters who have had their ballots disqualified so we can get them to sign an affidavit so their vote will be counted. We need to mobilize volunteers, AND notaries," an Oberweis campaign signup sheet reads. 

"Rehabilitating ballots is the process that gives people a chance to sign an affidavit that their ballot should be counted after it was disqualified for a technicality like a printed signature instead of a cursive signature," the Will County GOP said in a press release. "Jim's campaign needs many more notaries to complete the affidavit in person with the voter whose ballot was rejected."

Oberweis is expected to seek a recount once all ballots are certified.