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Chicago (HuffPost)– As early as 10 a.m. Sunday, candidates and campaign workers filing petitions for the City of Chicago elections began lining up at 69 W. Washington, hoping to make it onto the ballot.

The early start is a Chicago tradition, as those who file their 12,500 valid signatures by 9 a.m. Monday are entered in a lottery to win a top spot on the February ballot.

The Rahm Beat

According to Rahm Emanuel’s campaign, an aide turned in about 90,000 signatures Monday morning–which means one in 16 Chicago voters signed a petition for Emanuel.

Democratic Party lawyer Mike Kasper told Early and Often that Emanuel will have no problem with signatures, but if issues arise over the validity of Emanuel’s residency, Kasper said he would represent the former White House Chief of Staff.

Emanuel announced his bid for Chicago mayor on Saturday, and released his first campaign ad of the season this weekend as well.

Republicans For Meeks?

Following through in several public vows, state Sen. James Meeks announced Sunday that he would indeed run for Mayor of Chicago.

While no Republican candidates have publicly discussed running for mayor, Meeks has a conservative stance on most social issues–including opposition to abortion and gay rights. When he announced his candidacy Sunday, former Illinois Republican Party chairman Andy McKenna introduced him.

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“Sen. Meeks has one clear priority — it was there clear the first time he ran for office: children and education,” McKenna said Sunday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

Davis, Chico, Del Valle Are In

U.S. Rep. Danny Davis announced his candidacy on Sunday, vowing to bridge the gap between the city’s richest and poorest residents. Early and Often reports that Davis will not turn in signatures until deadline day–November 22.

Gery Chico is also expected to file an excessive amount of signatures on Monday. The Chicago Tribune reports that Chico, who is expected to arrive at the Chicago Board of Elections by 9 a.m., will file 52,254 petition signatures.

Read entire article at HuffingtonPost.com