Nader says he's on the Illinois ballot

WASHINGTON, July 1 (UPI) -- Ralph Nader's independent presidential campaign will be on the Illinois ballot in the November general election, Nader's campaign said Tuesday.

The campaign of Nader and running mate Matt Gonzalez submitted more than 50,000 signatures to the Illinois Board of Election June 23, double the required 25,000, the campaign said in a release.

Under Illinois election law, once the signatures for ballot access are submitted, other parties have one week to challenge the signatures. The one-week period has passed and no party challenged the access request, Nader said.

Illinois is the third state where the Nader-Gonzalez will be on the ballot in 2008, joining Arizona and Hawaii. Nader said Sunday his campaign will be on the ballot in 45 states this fall.