* From the House Democratic Women’s Caucus…

Speaker Madigan:

The House Democratic Women’s Caucus has established an elections work group, chaired by Representative Katie Stuart, with members Representative Carol Ammons, Representative Deb Conroy, Representative Terra Costa-Howard, Representative Eva Dina Delgado, Representative Mary Edly-Allen, Representative Robyn Gabel, Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Representative LaToya Greenwood, Representative Diane Pappas, and Representative Ann Williams. As we prepare to return to Springfield and vote on legislation that will impact the 2020 General Election, we request to be included in discussions about any legislation and that our suggestions be considered for inclusion in any bill.

There is much discussion about Illinois adopting a mandatory vote-by-mail (VBM) program; however, with less than 6 months to go, it has become clear that our election authorities are neither equipped nor financially able to mail a ballot to every elector. However, there are many steps we can take to encourage and facilitate greater participation in VBM and early voting for this upcoming election while we continue to work toward a statewide VBM program. In the meanwhile, the House Democratic Women’s Caucus has designated a top priority for the General Assembly to consider the for the 2020 General Election:

Make Election Day a state holiday​. This requires all government and schools to close on November 3rd​ for the election. This allows election authorities the ability to use the schools. The bill can include language that subject to availability of federal funds, election authorities can seek reimbursement from the State Board of Elections to cover the costs of deep cleaning the facilities.

In addition, the Caucus suggests the General Assembly also consider the following changes for the 2020 General Election. The items below have been identified as high priority by the members of the Caucus, as such, should we not be able to have them included in legislation for our return next week, they will remain as priority items for our caucus and we request they be considered during subsequent sessions.

1. Require election authorities to send applications to individuals who have previously participated in an election. ​Any person who has requested a ballot, whether in person or via VBM, in the past X elections will be sent an application.

2. Conduct a campaign to encourage VBM.​ Require State Board of Elections (SBE) to do follow up mailers to those who received applications, those who newly register, and those who interact with the State. Another idea is to require state agencies to include language encouraging people to register to vote and vote prior to election day, either by mail or in person.

3. Allow new registrants to automatically request a VBM.​ This saves a step for new registrants. It requires the SBE to include a checkbox on the online registration form and transmit to the election authority (this should not be difficult).

4. Allow for curbside voting.​ Give election authorities the ability to assign 2 election judges to go to a car and allow a person to vote, typically via VBM. This will ensure people who cannot physically go into a polling location have a chance to vote, and provide a safety net in the event in person voting on election day becomes too dangerous.

5. Allow people to begin submitting applications for VBM now.​ Under current law a ​person cannot apply until August 5​th. If we expedite the beginning, we have more time to urge people to apply for a VBM and more time to track down those who haven’t applied for a ballot.

6. Give DPH or local health departments authority to establish safety rules for in person voting.​ The bill can include language that, subject to availability of federal funds, local public health departments or election authorities can seek reimbursement for costs associated with providing PPE or cleaning supplies to election authorities.

7. Clarify that election authorities can begin processing, but not tabulating, VBM ballots before Election Day.​ Clarify that Section 19-8 allows election authorities to take all steps necessary to prepare and process returned VBMs, except actually tabulate the vote. The purpose is to make it clear they can conduct as much of the process in advance, without disrupting the integrity of the final ballot.

8. Allow election authorities to establish an election day voting center that would permit any elector to vote. ​This would be an exception to the in-precinct voting rule but provide a possible backup if a polling location is closed or lines are too long.

9. Require a panel of 3 election judges to review each VBM and require 2/3 in order to invalidate any VBM. ​This ensures both political parties have someone reviewing and signing off on any rejections. The language could establish a presumption that the VBM is valid unless it clearly lacks the requirements (​e.g.​ no signature, already voted)

10. Create an election judge recruitment program​. Create a program that encourages people to serve as election judges in the hopes we can fill the various spots and keep older, more vulnerable individuals from having to serve as judges. A few things that can be included, all limited to the 2020 election: (1) allow anyone 16 or over to serve as an election judge; (2) require high schools and colleges to provide notice to students of the opportunity to serve as an election judge and encourage participation; (3) require IDES to provide notice to any individual collecting unemployment of the opportunity to serve as an election judge during the early voting period and on election day; (4) require businesses to give employees serving as election judges paid leave paid leave to serve as election judge; (5) require constitutional amendment booklet to include notice about voter registration, requesting a VBM, and serving as an election judge.

The House Democratic Women’s Caucus intends to be active over the coming months and will be providing the public with information about the 2020 General Election. We look forward to working with you and your staff as we move forward.

Thoughts?