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General Assembly makes 2020 voting reforms permanent

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Illinois

* Sarah Mansur at Capitol News Illinois…

A bill to expand the use of vote-by-mail and curbside voting in future elections passed the Illinois Senate Thursday, meaning it needs only a signature from the governor to become law.

House Bill 1871, which was approved by the House last week, would revise the state election code to make permanent some of the changes that were widely adopted across Illinois for the 2020 general election in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

If the bill is sent to the governor and signed quickly enough, it would take effect immediately, possibly in time for the April 6 elections.

The changes include allowing election authorities to install drop box sites where voters can submit mail-in ballots without postage during and on Election Day. The bill also permits curbside voting where people can fill out ballots outside the polling place during early voting and on Election Day.

* JJ Bullock at the Daily Herald…

State Sen. Julie Morrison, a Democrat from Deerfield, brought the legislation, House Bill 1871, to the Senate floor with support from the Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders. The legislation passed in the Senate 48-7, with all seven no votes coming from Senate Republicans who did not give their reasons. Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie of Hawthorn Woods voted present.

The legislation would allow local election authorities to establish curbside voting during early voting periods and on Election Day, with election judges from opposite parties working in pairs to collect ballots. The legislation also would establish that all ballot drop-boxes are to be locked and opened only by election authorities.

The law specifically authorizing ballot drop boxes and curbside voting for the 2020 election expired on Jan. 1. Some election authorities, including in Cook County, have continued to use drop boxes for the February primary election and the upcoming April 6 election.

Lake County Clerk Robin O’Connor supports the legislation, saying the vote-by-mail provisions are “very safe and very secure.”

* Andrew Sullender at the Sun-Times…

Due to the pandemic, the expansions were originally set up in anticipation of a surge in mail-in ballots in the 2020 vote. But the changes expired at the beginning of January.

That left many counties who wanted to use drop-boxes for municipal elections on April 6 in limbo, said Matt Dietrich, spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections.

“A lot of election jurisdictions that had used drop-boxes in the general election in November intended to use them again for April,” he said. “The language was no longer there to authorize [drop-boxes], but there was nothing in the existing election code that prohibited their use. So it was important that the election code be amended to have explicit permission to use drop-boxes.” […]

Another change that would be made permanent is curbside voting, which allows voters to fill out ballots from their vehicles, instead of going inside the polling places. […]

“You look around the country today, and there are states that are trying to limit one’s ability to vote. Let’s take a look at Georgia, trying to limit drop-box access and are making it a crime to give food or drinks to those waiting in line to vote,” [Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Tinley Park] said. “Coming off of COVID some people still just don’t feel comfortable voting. And that’s why we should focus on expanding one’s ability to vote and the security of that vote.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 2:34 am

Comments

=== all seven no votes coming from Senate Republicans who did not give their reasons. ===

No shocker there. Not holding my breath that they will any time soon either.

Comment by PublicServant Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 5:37 am
In many operations in the private sector, adjustments were made because of the pandemic that just made sense to keep. Why not government? Makes sense.

Comment by levivotedforjudy Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 9:03 am
“Coming off of COVID some people still just don’t feel comfortable voting. And that’s why we should focus on expanding one’s ability to vote and the security of that vote.”
Yep never let a good crisis go to waste.

Comment by Yep Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 9:22 am
There were questions about the security of drop boxes in the House Committee and who determines locations of drop boxes and therefore they were voting against it, but the Senate Committee just asked some questions without a real reason for voting against the bill.

Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 9:30 am
Vote by mail has been the standard in Oregon for 13 years now. The system works very well. Opposition to expanded voting is simply a suppression tactic which explains the crickets from the no votes.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 10:00 am
==with support from the Illinois Association of County Clerks and Recorders.==

I’m old enough to remember when the GOP said it was wrong to vote against the wishes of associations of county elected officials.

Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 10:04 am
I’m old enough to remember voting for a Republican over a Dem when I couldn’t make up my mind between the two.

Figured the Repub would be more even-keeled.

Man, how times have changed.

Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 10:23 am
What’s truly hilarious, ironically so, is this idea that Republicans feel this overt need to suppress voters as a tool to have republicans elected.

Think on that. We can’t have more people vote, we lose.

I remember as a Republican that absentee voting, and it’s whole existence was as important as anything to elect, you guessed it, Republicans.

Suppression to try to hold on to limited power or try to gain footholds by making it tougher for voters in general… who exactly are these Republicans today that already know all they believe is a losing argument.

You are part of a party that exists today that needs less people voting because you can’t win the argument on facts, policy or even honesty to both.

Can it change? I’m watching to see how this messages .

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 10:29 am
On this issue, Illinois is a leader.

On this issue, Republican controlled states are a disgrace.

Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 10:59 am
Paul Weyrich started telling everyone the plan back in the 70s. “Frankly your leverage in elections goes down as the number of voters goes up.” The neocons just had to wait until they pushed us moderates out.

Comment by Proud Sucker Friday, Mar 26, 21 @ 12:10 pm