The one thing that Congressman John Conyers (D-MI) and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have in common is that President Obama’s support helped them to get their names back on the primary ballots.

Conyers’ name was taken off the ballot after the County Clerk determined that he did not have enough signatures on his petitions that were from registered voters; and Emanuel’s name was taken off the ballot because he didn’t live in Chicago for at least a year.

At first glance, it appeared as if both men’s political careers were over. After all, they had clearly violated the election laws which others have not been as successful in challenging.

Take former Michigan Congressman Thaddius McCotter for example. McCotter’s case is similar to Conyers’ case. McCotter mounted a challenge to get his name placed back on the ballot, but he wasn’t as successful as Conyers.

While in Illinois, legal experts argued that the law “clearly” stated that Emanuel could not be on the Chicago Mayoral ballot because he hadn’t lived in his home for a year.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Emanuel rented out his home to Rob Halpin and Emanuel tried to get Halpin to move out early so he, Emanuel, could claim residency.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Appellate Court Judge Thomas Hoffman ruled that Emanuel couldn’t run because he hadn’t established residency for at least a year.

Emanuel appealed to the State’s Supreme Court and was able to prevail with the help of his Attorney Mike Kasper, who was President Obama’s election lawyer.