Illinois Election Code

Article 1 – General Provisions

(10 ILCS 5/1-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 1-1)
Sec. 1-1. This Act may be cited as the Election Code. This Act is the general election law of Illinois and any reference in any other Act to “the general election law” or “the general election law of this State” is a reference to this Act, as now or hereafter amended.
(Source: P.A. 86-1475.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 1-2)
Sec. 1-2. The provisions of this Act, so far as they are the same as those of any prior statute, shall be construed as a continuation of such prior provisions, and not as a new enactment.
If in any other statute reference is made to an Act of the General Assembly, or a Section of such an Act, which is continued in this Code, such reference shall be held to refer to the Act or Section thereof so continued in this Code.
(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 1-3)
Sec. 1-3. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:
1. “Election” includes the submission of all questions of public policy, propositions, and all measures submitted to popular vote, and includes primary elections when so indicated by the context.

2. “Regular election” means the general, general primary, consolidated and consolidated primary elections regularly scheduled in Article 2A. The even numbered year municipal primary established in Article 2A is a regular election only with respect to those municipalities in which a primary is required to be held on such date.

3. “Special election” means an election not regularly recurring at fixed intervals, irrespective of whether it is held at the same time and place and by the same election officers as a regular election.

4. “General election” means the biennial election at which members of the General Assembly are elected. “General primary election”, “consolidated election” and “consolidated primary election” mean the respective elections or the election dates designated and established in Article 2A of this Code.

5. “Municipal election” means an election or primary, either regular or special, in cities, villages, and incorporated towns; and “municipality” means any such city, village or incorporated town.

6. “Political or governmental subdivision” means any unit of local government, or school district in which elections are or may be held. “Political or governmental subdivision” also includes, for election purposes, Regional Boards of School Trustees, and Township Boards of School Trustees.

7. The word “township” and the word “town” shall apply interchangeably to the type of governmental organization established in accordance with the provisions of the Township Code. The term “incorporated town” shall mean a municipality referred to as an incorporated town in the Illinois Municipal Code, as now or hereafter amended.

8. “Election authority” means a county clerk or a Board of Election Commissioners.

9. “Election Jurisdiction” means (a) an entire county, in the case of a county in which no city board of election commissioners is located or which is under the jurisdiction of a county board of election commissioners; (b) the territorial jurisdiction of a city board of election commissioners; and (c) the territory in a county outside of the jurisdiction of a city board of election commissioners. In each instance election jurisdiction shall be determined according to which election authority maintains the permanent registration records of qualified electors.

10. “Local election official” means the clerk or secretary of a unit of local government or school district, as the case may be, the treasurer of a township board of school trustees, and the regional superintendent of schools with respect to the various school officer elections and school referenda for which the regional superintendent is assigned election duties by The School Code, as now or hereafter amended.

11. “Judges of election”, “primary judges” and similar terms, as applied to cases where there are 2 sets of judges, when used in connection with duties at an election during the hours the polls are open, refer to the team of judges of election on duty during such hours; and, when used with reference to duties after the closing of the polls, refer to the team of tally judges designated to count the vote after the closing of the polls and the holdover judges designated pursuant to Section 13-6.2 or 14-5.2. In such case, where, after the closing of the polls, any act is required to be performed by each of the judges of election, it shall be performed by each of the tally judges and by each of the holdover judges.

12. “Petition” of candidacy as used in Sections 7-10 and 7-10.1 shall consist of a statement of candidacy, candidate’s statement containing oath, and sheets containing signatures of qualified primary electors bound together.

13. “Election district” and “precinct”, when used with reference to a 30-day residence requirement, means the smallest constituent territory in which electors vote as a unit at the same polling place in any election governed by this Act.

14. “District” means any area which votes as a unit for the election of any officer, other than the State or a unit of local government or school district, and includes, but is not limited to, legislative, congressional and judicial districts, judicial circuits, county board districts, municipal and sanitary district wards, school board districts, and precincts.

15. “Question of public policy” or “public question” means any question, proposition or measure submitted to the voters at an election dealing with subject matter other than the nomination or election of candidates and shall include, but is not limited to, any bond or tax referendum, and questions relating to the Constitution.

16. “Ordinance providing the form of government of a municipality or county pursuant to Article VII of the Constitution” includes ordinances, resolutions and petitions adopted by referendum which provide for the form of government, the officers or the manner of selection or terms of office of officers of such municipality or county, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 4, 6 or 7 of Article VII of the Constitution.

17. “List” as used in Sections 4-11, 4-22, 5-14, 5-29, 6-60, and 6-66 shall include a computer tape or computer disc or other electronic data processing information containing voter information.

18. “Accessible” means accessible to persons with disabilities and elderly individuals for the purpose of voting or registration, as determined by rule of the State Board of Elections.

19. “Elderly” means 65 years of age or older.

20. “Person with a disability” means a person having a temporary or permanent physical disability.

21. “Leading political party” means one of the two political parties whose candidates for governor at the most recent three gubernatorial elections received either the highest or second highest average number of votes. The political party whose candidates for governor received the highest average number of votes shall be known as the first leading political party and the political party whose candidates for governor received the second highest average number of votes shall be known as the second leading political party.

22. “Business day” means any day in which the office of an election authority, local election official or the State Board of Elections is open to the public for a minimum of 7 hours.

23. “Homeless individual” means any person who has a nontraditional residence, including, but not limited to, a shelter, day shelter, park bench, street corner, or space under a bridge.

24. “Signature” means a name signed in ink or in digitized form. This definition does not apply to a nominating or candidate petition or a referendum petition.

25. “Intelligent mail barcode tracking system” means a printed trackable barcode attached to the return business reply envelope for mail-in ballots under Article 19 or Article 20 that allows an election authority to determine the date the envelope was mailed in absence of a postmark.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-3.5)
Sec. 1-3.5. Absentee voting. Any references to absentee ballots, absentee voters, absentee registration, or absentee voting procedures in this Code shall be construed to refer to vote by mail ballots, persons who vote by mail, registration by mail, or voting by mail.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 1-4)
Sec. 1-4. (a) In any case in which this Act prescribes a period of time within which petitions for nomination must be filed, the office in which petitions must be filed shall remain open for the receipt of such petitions until 5:00 P.M. on the last day of the filing period.

(b) For the 2013 consolidated election period, an election authority or local election official shall accept until 104 days before the election at which candidates are to be on the ballot any petitions for nomination or certificate of nomination required by this Code to be filed no earlier than 113 and no later than 106 days before the consolidated election. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, for purposes of this subsection (b) only, signatures and circulator statements on petitions for nomination filed with an election authority or local election official on the final day for filing petitions for nomination shall not be deemed invalid for the sole reason that the petitions were circulated between 90 and 92 days before the last day for filing petitions.
(Source: P.A. 97-1134, eff. 12-3-12.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 1-5)
Sec. 1-5. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 86-873. Repealed by P.A. 89-653, eff. 8-14-96.)

(10 ILCS 5/1-6)
Sec. 1-6. Computing dates of various acts; Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.
(a) If the first or last day fixed by law to do any act required or allowed by this Code falls on a State holiday or a Saturday or a Sunday, the period shall extend through the first business day next following the day otherwise fixed as the first or last day, irrespective of whether any election authority or local election official conducts business on the State holiday, Saturday, or Sunday.

(b) For the purposes of this Section, “State holiday” means New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday, Lincoln’s Birthday, President’s Day, Casimir Pulaski’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and any other day from time to time declared by the President of the United States or the Governor of Illinois to be a day during which the agencies of the State of Illinois that are ordinarily open to do business with the public shall be closed for business.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, nominating papers, petitions of objection to nominating papers, certificates of withdrawal of candidacy, and reports of political committees actually received by election authorities and local election officials on a State holiday, a Saturday, or a Sunday shall not be deemed invalid or defective for that reason alone.
(Source: P.A. 89-653, eff. 8-14-96; 90-672, eff. 7-31-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-7)
Sec. 1-7. No straight party voting. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, straight party voting by a single vote is not permitted in Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 89-700, eff. 1-17-97.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-8)
Sec. 1-8. Canvassing boards abolished. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code, local canvassing boards are abolished. In this Code or any other law a reference to a local or county canvassing board means (i) for elections in which the political subdivision that is choosing candidates or submitting a public question is located entirely within the jurisdiction of a single election authority, that election authority and (ii) for elections for offices and public questions not listed in Section 22-1 of this Code in which the political subdivision that is choosing candidates or submitting a public question is located within the jurisdiction of 2 or more election authorities, the election authority having jurisdiction over the location at which the political subdivision has its principal office.
(Source: P.A. 94-647, eff. 1-1-06.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-9)
Sec. 1-9. Central counting of grace period, early, vote by mail, and provisional ballots. Notwithstanding any statutory provision to the contrary enacted before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly, all grace period ballots, early voting ballots, vote by mail ballots, and provisional ballots to be counted shall be delivered to and counted at an election authority’s central ballot counting location and not in precincts. References in this Code enacted before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly to delivery and counting of grace period ballots, early voting ballots, vote by mail ballots, or provisional ballots to or at a precinct polling place or to the proper polling place shall be construed as references to delivery and counting of those ballots to and at the election authority’s central ballot counting location.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-9.1)
Sec. 1-9.1. Ballot counting information dissemination. Each election authority maintaining a website must provide 24-hour notice on its website of the date, time, and location of the analysis, processing, and counting of all ballot forms. Each election authority must notify any political party or pollwatcher of the same information 24 hours before the count begins if such political party or pollwatcher has requested to be notified. Notification may be by electronic mail at the address provided by the requester.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-9.2)
Sec. 1-9.2. Uncounted ballot information on website. No later than 48 hours after the closing of polling locations on election day, each election authority maintaining a website shall post the number of ballots that remain uncounted. The posting shall separate the number of ballots yet to be counted into the following categories: ballots cast on election day, early voting ballots, provisional ballots, vote by mail ballots received by the election authority but not counted, and vote by mail ballots sent by the election authority but have not been returned to the election authority. This information shall be updated on the website of the election authority each day until the period for counting provisional and vote by mail ballots has ended. All election authorities, regardless of whether they maintain a website, shall share the same information, separated in the same manner, with the State Board of Elections no later than 48 hours after the closing of polling locations on election day and each business day thereafter until the period for counting provisional and vote by mail ballots has ended.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-10)
Sec. 1-10. Public comment. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the State Board of Elections in evaluating the feasibility of any new voting system shall seek and accept public comment from persons with disabilities, including but not limited to organizations of the blind.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-11)
Sec. 1-11. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 97-766, eff. 7-6-12. Repealed internally, eff. 5-31-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-12)
Sec. 1-12. Public university voting.
(a) Each appropriate election authority shall, in addition to the early voting conducted at locations otherwise required by law, conduct early voting, grace period registration, and grace period voting at the student union on the campus of a public university within the election authority’s jurisdiction. The voting required by this subsection (a) to be conducted on campus must be conducted from the 6th day before a general primary or general election until and including the 4th day before a general primary or general election from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and as otherwise required by Article 19A of this Code, except that the voting required by this subsection (a) need not be conducted during a consolidated primary or consolidated election. If an election authority has voting equipment that can accommodate a ballot in every form required in the election authority’s jurisdiction, then the election authority shall extend early voting and grace period registration and voting under this Section to any registered voter in the election authority’s jurisdiction. However, if the election authority does not have voting equipment that can accommodate a ballot in every form required in the election authority’s jurisdiction, then the election authority may limit early voting and grace period registration and voting under this Section to voters in precincts where the public university is located and precincts bordering the university. Each public university shall make the space available at the student union for, and cooperate and coordinate with the appropriate election authority in, the implementation of this subsection (a).

(b) (Blank).

(c) For the purposes of this Section, “public university” means the University of Illinois, Illinois State University, Chicago State University, Governors State University, Southern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, and Northeastern Illinois University.

(d) For the purposes of this Section, “student union” means the Student Center at 750 S. Halsted on the University of Illinois-Chicago campus; the Public Affairs Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield or a new building completed after the effective date of this Act housing student government at the University of Illinois at Springfield; the Illini Union at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; the SIUC Student Center at the Southern Illinois University at Carbondale campus; the Morris University Center at the Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville campus; the University Union at the Western Illinois University at the Macomb campus; the Holmes Student Center at the Northern Illinois University campus; the University Union at the Eastern Illinois University campus; NEIU Student Union at the Northeastern Illinois University campus; the Bone Student Center at the Illinois State University campus; the Cordell Reed Student Union at the Chicago State University campus; and the Hall of Governors in Building D at the Governors State University campus.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13; 98-691, eff. 7-1-14; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-13)
Sec. 1-13. Forms of signature. The making and signing of any form, including an application to register, a certificate authorizing cancellation of a registration or authorizing a transfer of registration, an application to vote, a provisional ballot, or affidavit, but not including a nominating or candidate petition or a referendum petition, may be by a signature written in ink or in digitized form.
(Source: P.A. 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-15)
Sec. 1-15. Procedures for the disposal of election records. This Code is subject to the provisions of Section 14a of the Local Records Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-475, eff. 8-14-09.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-16)
Sec. 1-16. Election authorities; notices by electronic mail. If an election authority is required by law to send an election-related notice to an individual, that election authority may send that notice solely by electronic mail if the individual provides a current e-mail address to the election authority and authorizes the election authority to send notices by electronic mail. For the purposes of this Section, the term “notice” does not include a ballot or any notice required under Sections 1A-16.5 or 1A-16.7 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 100-464, eff. 8-28-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1-17)
Sec. 1-17. Election authority voting equipment information. Every 2 years, each election authority shall submit information on the voting equipment used within the jurisdiction of the election authority to the State Board of Elections. The information must include:

(1) the age and functionality of each item of voting equipment; and

(2) a formal letter containing a general description of the status of the voting equipment, the election authority’s perceived need for new voting equipment, and the costs associated with obtaining new equipment.

Each election authority must publish the information submitted under this Section online.
(Source: P.A. 100-623, eff. 7-20-18.)

(10 ILCS 5/1-20)
Sec. 1-20. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 96-1008, eff. 7-6-10. Repealed internally, eff. 3-2-11.)

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Article 1A – State Board of Elections

(10 ILCS 5/1A-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-1)
Sec. 1A-1. A State Board of Elections is hereby established which shall have general supervision over the administration of the registration and election laws throughout the State, and shall perform only such duties as are or may hereafter be prescribed by law.
(Source: P.A. 78-918.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-2)
Sec. 1A-2. The State Board of Elections shall consist of 8 members, 4 of whom shall be residents of Cook County and 4 of whom shall be residents of the State outside of Cook County. Of the 4 members from each area of required residence, 2 shall be affiliated with the same political party as the Governor, and 2 shall be affiliated with the political party whose nominee for Governor in the most recent general election received the second highest number of votes. Members shall be persons who have extensive knowledge of the election laws of this State.
(Source: P.A. 80-1178.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-2.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-2.1)
Sec. 1A-2.1. Each member of the State Board of Elections, before entering upon his duties, shall subscribe to the Constitutional oath and shall give an official bond in the penal sum of $100,000, with a corporate surety or individual sureties approved by the Governor, conditioned upon the faithful discharge of the duties of his office. The bond and oath shall be filed with the office of the Secretary of State within 10 days after the appointment.
(Source: P.A. 78-918.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-3)
Sec. 1A-3. Subject to the confirmation requirements of Section 1A-4, 4 members of the State Board of Elections shall be appointed in each odd-numbered year as follows:

(1) The Governor shall appoint 2 members of the same political party with which he is affiliated, one from each area of required residence.

(2) The Governor shall appoint 2 members of the political party whose candidate for Governor in the most recent general election received the second highest number of votes, one from each area of required residence, from a list of nominees submitted by the first state executive officer in the order indicated herein affiliated with such political party: Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer. If none of the State executive officers listed herein is affiliated with such political party, the nominating State officer shall be the first State executive officer in the order indicated herein affiliated with an established political party other than that of the Governor.

(3) The nominating state officer shall submit in writing to the Governor 3 names of qualified persons for each membership on the Board of Election to be appointed from the political party of that officer. The Governor may reject any or all of the nominees on any such list and may request an additional list. The second list shall be submitted by the nominating officer and shall contain 3 new names of qualified persons for each remaining appointment, except that if the Governor expressly reserves any nominee’s name from the first list, that nominee shall not be replaced on the second list. The second list shall be final.

(4) Whenever all the state executive officers designated in paragraph (2) are affiliated with the same political party as that of the Governor, all 4 members of the Board to be appointed that year, from both designated political parties, shall be appointed by the Governor without nominations.

(5) The Governor shall submit in writing to the President of the Senate the name of each person appointed to the State Board of Elections, and shall designate the term for which the appointment is made and the name of the member whom the appointee is to succeed.

(6) The appointments shall be made and submitted by the Governor no later than April 1 and a nominating state officer required to submit a list of nominees to the Governor pursuant to paragraph (3) shall submit a list no later than March 1. For appointments occurring in 2019, the appointments shall be made and submitted by the Governor no later than May 15.

(7) In the appointment of the initial members of the Board pursuant to this amendatory Act of 1978, the provisions of paragraphs (1), (2), (3), (5) and (6) of this Section shall apply except that the Governor shall appoint all 8 members, 2 from each of the designated political parties from each area of required residence.
(Source: P.A. 101-5, eff. 5-15-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-3.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-3.1)
Sec. 1A-3.1. Of the members initially appointed to the State Board of Elections pursuant to this amendatory Act of 1978, one member affiliated with each political party from each area of required residence shall serve a term commencing July 1, 1978 and ending June 30, 1979, and the other initial members shall serve terms commencing July 1, 1978 and ending June 30, 1981.
Notwithstanding any provision in this Section to the contrary, the term of office of each member of the State Board of Elections is abolished on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985. Subject to the confirmation requirements of Section 1A-4, 8 members of the State Board of Elections shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 1A-3, except that the Governor shall appoint 4 members of the same political party with which he is affiliated and 4 members of the political party whose candidate for Governor in the most recent general election received the second highest number of votes and except that a nominating State officer shall submit to the Governor his required list of nominees within 15 days after the current terms of office are abolished and the Governor shall make appointments within 30 days after the current terms of office are abolished. Of the members initially appointed to the State Board of Elections pursuant to this amendatory Act of 1985, one member affiliated with each political party for each area of required residence shall serve a term commencing July 1, 1985, and ending July 1, 1987, and the other initial members shall serve terms commencing July 1, 1985, and ending July 1, 1989.
The terms of subsequent members of the State Board of Elections shall be 4 years commencing on July 1 of the year in which the appointments are made.
A member shall serve until his successor is duly appointed and has qualified. No appointee shall enter upon the duties of his office until all members required to be appointed in that year have been confirmed by the Senate by record vote pursuant to Section 1A-4.
(Source: P.A. 84-115.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-4)
Sec. 1A-4. All appointments of members to the State Board of Elections shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate pursuant to this Section. Appointments by the Governor pursuant to paragraphs (1), (2) and (7) of Section 1A-3 shall require the advice and consent of a 3/5 vote of the members elected to the Senate. Appointments by the Governor pursuant to paragraph (4) of Section 1A-3 shall require the advice and consent of a 2/3 vote of the members elected to the Senate.
The Senate shall confirm or reject appointments within 30 session days or 60 calendar days after they are submitted by the Governor, whichever occurs first. Except in the case of appointments to fill vacancies, the confirmation time period specified in this Section shall not commence until all appointments required to be made in that year have been submitted by the Governor.
(Source: P.A. 80-1178.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-5)
Sec. 1A-5. An appointment to fill each vacancy on the State Board of Elections shall be made pursuant to the appropriate paragraph of Section 1A-3 in the same manner as the appointment of members for new terms. Each appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the completion of the term of that position.
The Governor shall make an appointment to fill each vacancy and shall submit it to the President of the Senate within 30 days of the occurrence of the vacancy, or within 30 days of the submission of a list of nominees to him pursuant to paragraph (3) of Section 1A-3, whichever is later. A nominating state officer shall submit to the Governor his required list of nominees to fill a vacancy within 15 days of the occurrence of the vacancy. If the Governor does not fill a vacancy required to be filled pursuant to paragraph (3) of Section 1A-3 within the required 30 days, the nominating state officer shall make the appointment from among the nominees he previously submitted.
(Source: P.A. 80-1178.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-6)
Sec. 1A-6. One member of the State Board of Elections shall be elected by the members of the Board to be chair and shall serve as chair of the Board for a term ending June 30, 1979. On July 1 of 1979 and on July 1 of each odd-numbered year thereafter, a chair shall be elected by the members of the Board for a 2 year term ending June 30 of the next odd-numbered year. If July 1 of any odd-numbered year does not fall on a business day, said election shall be held on the first business day thereafter. The chair elected for each 2 year term shall not be of the same political party affiliation as the prior chair. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of chair, a new chair of the same political party affiliation shall be elected for the remainder of the vacating chair’s term. Whenever a chair is elected, the Board shall elect from among its members, a vice chair who shall not be of the same political party affiliation as the chair.
Upon the confirmation of all of the members of the State Board of Elections initially appointed under the amendatory Act of 1978, the Governor shall designate one of the members as interim chair who shall preside over the Board until a chair is elected pursuant to this Section.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-6.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-6.1)
Sec. 1A-6.1. The chair of the State Board of Elections shall preside at all meetings of the Board, except that the vice chair shall preside at any meeting when the chair is absent. The salary of the chair shall be $25,000 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater, and the salary of the vice-chair shall be $20,000 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. The salary of the other Board members shall be $15,000 per year, or as set by the Compensation Review Board, whichever is greater. Each member shall be reimbursed for actual expenses incurred in the performance of his duties.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-7)
Sec. 1A-7. The State Board of Elections shall meet at such time or times as the chair or any 4 members shall direct, but at least once per month. Five members of the Board are necessary to constitute a quorum and 5 votes are necessary for any action of the Board to become effective, including the appointment of the executive director, the employment of technical consultants and the employment of other persons.
If a quorum is present at a meeting of the Board, one of the members present may vote for the absent member pursuant to a written proxy signed by the absent member. A member voting by proxy who is not in attendance may not be counted towards the presence of a quorum.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-8)
Sec. 1A-8. The State Board of Elections shall exercise the following powers and perform the following duties in addition to any powers or duties otherwise provided for by law:

(1) Assume all duties and responsibilities of the State Electoral Board and the Secretary of State as heretofore provided in this Code;

(2) Disseminate information to and consult with election authorities concerning the conduct of elections and registration in accordance with the laws of this State and the laws of the United States;

(3) Furnish to each election authority prior to each primary and general election and any other election it deems necessary, a manual of uniform instructions consistent with the provisions of this Code which shall be used by election authorities in the preparation of the official manual of instruction to be used by the judges of election in any such election. In preparing such manual, the State Board shall consult with representatives of the election authorities throughout the State. The State Board may provide separate portions of the uniform instructions applicable to different election jurisdictions which administer elections under different options provided by law. The State Board may by regulation require particular portions of the uniform instructions to be included in any official manual of instructions published by election authorities. Any manual of instructions published by any election authority shall be identical with the manual of uniform instructions issued by the Board, but may be adapted by the election authority to accommodate special or unusual local election problems, provided that all manuals published by election authorities must be consistent with the provisions of this Code in all respects and must receive the approval of the State Board of Elections prior to publication; provided further that if the State Board does not approve or disapprove of a proposed manual within 60 days of its submission, the manual shall be deemed approved.

(4) Prescribe and require the use of such uniform forms, notices, and other supplies not inconsistent with the provisions of this Code as it shall deem advisable which shall be used by election authorities in the conduct of elections and registrations;

(5) Prepare and certify the form of ballot for any proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Illinois, or any referendum to be submitted to the electors throughout the State or, when required to do so by law, to the voters of any area or unit of local government of the State;

(6) Require such statistical reports regarding the conduct of elections and registration from election authorities as may be deemed necessary;

(7) Review and inspect procedures and records relating to conduct of elections and registration as may be deemed necessary, and to report violations of election laws to the appropriate State’s Attorney or the Attorney General;

(8) Recommend to the General Assembly legislation to improve the administration of elections and registration;

(9) Adopt, amend or rescind rules and regulations in the performance of its duties provided that all such rules and regulations must be consistent with the provisions of this Article 1A or issued pursuant to authority otherwise provided by law;

(10) Determine the validity and sufficiency of petitions filed under Article XIV, Section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Illinois of 1970;

(11) Maintain in its principal office a research library that includes, but is not limited to, abstracts of votes by precinct for general primary elections and general elections, current precinct maps and current precinct poll lists from all election jurisdictions within the State. The research library shall be open to the public during regular business hours. Such abstracts, maps and lists shall be preserved as permanent records and shall be available for examination and copying at a reasonable cost;

(12) Supervise the administration of the registration and election laws throughout the State;

(13) Obtain from the Department of Central Management Services, under Section 405-250 of the Department of Central Management Services Law (20 ILCS 405/405-250), such use of electronic data processing equipment as may be required to perform the duties of the State Board of Elections and to provide election-related information to candidates, public and party officials, interested civic organizations and the general public in a timely and efficient manner;

(14) To take such action as may be necessary or required to give effect to directions of the national committee or State central committee of an established political party under Sections 7-8, 7-11, and 7-14.1 or such other provisions as may be applicable pertaining to the selection of delegates and alternate delegates to an established political party’s national nominating conventions or, notwithstanding any candidate certification schedule contained within this Code, the certification of the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate selected by the established political party’s national nominating convention;

(15) To post all early voting sites separated by election authority and hours of operation on its website at least 5 business days before the period for early voting begins;

(16) To post on its website the statewide totals, and totals separated by each election authority, for each of the counts received pursuant to Section 1-9.2; and

(17) To post on its website, in a downloadable format, the information received from each election authority under Section 1-17.

The Board may by regulation delegate any of its duties or functions under this Article, except that final determinations and orders under this Article shall be issued only by the Board.
The requirement for reporting to the General Assembly shall be satisfied by filing copies of the report as required by Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and filing such additional copies with the State Government Report Distribution Center for the General Assembly as is required under paragraph (t) of Section 7 of the State Library Act.
(Source: P.A. 100-623, eff. 7-20-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 100-1148, eff. 12-10-18.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-9)
Sec. 1A-9. The State Board of Elections shall appoint an executive director and an assistant executive director. The annual compensation of the executive director and assistant executive director shall be determined by the Board.
The executive director and assistant executive director may be removed from office at any time by a vote of at least 5 members of the Board. Upon any such removal a vacancy is created which shall be filled as provided for the initial appointments.
The Board, upon the affirmative vote of a majority of its members, may from time to time contract with technical consultants to assist it in the performance of its duties. Such technical consultants shall be compensated only under contracts which specify the duties to be performed and the compensation therefor. Except as otherwise provided in this Section, contracts with technical consultants, other than hearing officers and attorneys representing the Board in litigation, shall terminate no more than 60 days after the commencement of the specified duties and may be extended once for a period of no more than 30 days upon the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board. The time limitations imposed by this Section on contracts with technical consultants shall not apply to a contract with a technical consultant for the provision of electronic data processing services in connection with the Board’s performance of the duties assigned to it pursuant to paragraph (11) of Section 1A-8 or in connection with the Board’s performance of the duties assigned to it pursuant to Sections 4-8, 5-7 and 6-35 concerning the furnishing of electronic data or compilations containing voter registration information to state political committees registered pursuant to the Illinois Campaign Finance Act or the Federal Election Campaign Act. No technical consultant, other than a hearing officer or an attorney engaged to represent the Board in litigation, may be compensated under more than one contract in any fiscal year.
(Source: P.A. 93-1091, eff. 3-29-05.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-10)
Sec. 1A-10. The State Board of Elections shall keep a full and true public record of all of its proceedings and of all monies received and expended. The Board shall file and preserve in its principal office all orders and records pertaining to its duties. The executive director shall exercise general supervision over the operation of the business of the Board and its equipment, facilities, employees and consultants, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Board and as otherwise directed by the Board. The assistant executive director shall administer the operations and staff of the permanent branch office of the Board.
(Source: P.A. 83-941.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-11)
Sec. 1A-11. The principal office of the State Board of Elections shall be maintained in Springfield and a permanent branch office shall be maintained in Chicago. The permanent offices of the Board shall be kept open during the ordinary business hours of State offices. However, on the day of any election, or at any other time, the offices of the Board may be kept open such additional time as the Board shall deem necessary to carry out its duties.
(Source: P.A. 78-918.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-12)
Sec. 1A-12. The State Board of Elections may employ, promote or discharge such additional persons as are necessary for the proper performance of its duties under this Code, including investigators, examiners and hearing officers. However, persons employed by the State Board of Elections prior to January 1, 1978 and previously certified under a merit plan adopted by the Board shall not be subject to any probationary period nor required to qualify by examination under “The Personnel Code” to continue in their positions. No employee or consultant may appear before the Board in any representative capacity within 6 months after termination of his employment or contractual relationship with the Board.
(Source: P.A. 93-1091, eff. 3-29-05.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-13)
Sec. 1A-13. No employee of the State Board of Elections including its executive director and assistant executive director shall engage in any partisan political activity whatsoever, except to vote at elections, nor shall such person contribute, either financially or in services or goods or any other way, to any political party, candidate or organization engaged in political activity. No employee of the Board shall become a candidate for nomination for, or election to, or accept appointment to any public office. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be deemed to have vacated his position and shall be discharged. No such person shall be thereafter rehired unless the State Civil Service Commission, upon appeal, finds that this Section has not been violated by such person.
(Source: P.A. 83-941.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-14)
Sec. 1A-14. No member of the State Board of Elections may become a candidate for nomination for, or election to, or accept appointment to or hold any other remunerative public office or public employment or any office in a political party. Violation of any prohibition in this Section shall disqualify a member of the Board and a vacancy is thereby created. A vacancy also exists upon the occurrence of any of the events enumerated in Section 25-2 of this Act as in the case of an elective office.
(Source: P.A. 80-1178.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 1A-15)
Sec. 1A-15. On the request of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the State Board of Elections shall provide the Department with tapes, discs, other electronic data or compilations thereof which only provide the name, address and, when available, the Social Security number of registered voters for the purpose of tracing absent parents and the collection of child support. Such information shall be provided at reasonable cost, which shall include the cost of duplication plus 15% for administration. The confidentiality of all information contained on such tapes, discs and other electronic data or combination thereof shall be protected as provided in Section 11-9 of “The Illinois Public Aid Code”.
(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16)
Sec. 1A-16. Voter registration information; Internet posting; processing of voter registration forms; content of such forms. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to voter registration under this Code.
(a) Voter registration information; Internet posting of voter registration form. Within 90 days after August 21, 2003 (the effective date of Public Act 93-574), the State Board of Elections shall post on its World Wide Web site the following information:

(1) A comprehensive list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, and websites, if applicable, of all county clerks and boards of election commissioners in Illinois.

(2) A schedule of upcoming elections and the deadline for voter registration.

(3) A downloadable, printable voter registration form, in at least English and in Spanish versions, that a person may complete and mail or submit to the State Board of Elections or the appropriate county clerk or board of election commissioners.

Any forms described under paragraph (3) must state the following:
If you do not have a driver’s license or social security number, and this form is submitted by mail, and you have never registered to vote in the jurisdiction you are now registering in, then you must send, with this application, either (i) a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or (ii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. If you do not provide the information required above, then you will be required to provide election officials with either (i) or (ii) described above the first time you vote at a voting place.

(b) Acceptance of registration forms by the State Board of Elections and county clerks and board of election commissioners. The State Board of Elections, county clerks, and board of election commissioners shall accept all completed voter registration forms described in subsection (a)(3) of this Section and Sections 1A-17 and 1A-30 that are:

(1) postmarked on or before the day that voter registration is closed under this Code;

(2) not postmarked, but arrives no later than 5 days after the close of registration;

(3) submitted in person by a person using the form on or before the day that voter registration is closed under this Code; or

(4) submitted in person by a person who submits one or more forms on behalf of one or more persons who used the form on or before the day that voter registration is closed under this Code.

Upon the receipt of a registration form, the State Board of Elections shall mark the date on which the form was received and send the form via first class mail to the appropriate county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, within 2 business days based upon the home address of the person submitting the registration form. The county clerk and board of election commissioners shall accept and process any form received from the State Board of Elections.

(c) Processing of registration forms by county clerks and boards of election commissioners. The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall promulgate procedures for processing the voter registration form.

(d) Contents of the voter registration form. The State Board shall create a voter registration form, which must contain the following content:

(1) Instructions for completing the form.

(2) A summary of the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois.

(3) Instructions for mailing in or submitting the form in person.

(4) The phone number for the State Board of Elections should a person submitting the form have questions.

(5) A box for the person to check that explains one of 3 reasons for submitting the form:

(a) new registration;

(b) change of address; or

(c) change of name.

(6) a box for the person to check yes or no that asks, “Are you a citizen of the United States?”, a box for the person to check yes or no that asks, “Will you be 18 years of age on or before election day?”, and a statement of “If you checked ‘no’ in response to either of these questions, then do not complete this form.”.

(7) A space for the person to fill in his or her home telephone number.

(8) Spaces for the person to fill in his or her first, middle, and last names, street address (principal place of residence), county, city, state, and zip code.

(9) Spaces for the person to fill in his or her mailing address, city, state, and zip code if different from his or her principal place of residence.

(10) A space for the person to fill in his or her Illinois driver’s license number if the person has a driver’s license.

(11) A space for a person without a driver’s license to fill in the last four digits of his or her social security number if the person has a social security number.

(12) A space for a person without an Illinois driver’s license to fill in his or her identification number from his or her State Identification card issued by the Secretary of State.

(13) A space for the person to fill the name appearing on his or her last voter registration, the street address of his or her last registration, including the city, county, state, and zip code.

(14) A space where the person swears or affirms the following under penalty of perjury with his or her signature:

(a) “I am a citizen of the United States.”;

(b) “I will be at least 18 years old on or before the next election.”;

(c) “I will have lived in the State of Illinois and in my election precinct at least 30 days as of the date of the next election.”; and

(d) “The information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge under penalty of perjury. If I have provided false information, then I may be fined, imprisoned, or, if I am not a U.S. citizen, deported from or refused entry into the United States.”.

(15) A space for the person to fill in his or her e-mail address if he or she chooses to provide that information.

(d-5) Compliance with federal law; rulemaking authority. The voter registration form described in this Section shall be consistent with the form prescribed by the Federal Election Commission under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002, P.L. 107-252, in all relevant respects. The State Board of Elections shall periodically update the form based on changes to federal or State law. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate any rules necessary for the implementation of this Section; provided that the rules comport with the letter and spirit of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and Help America Vote Act of 2002 and maximize the opportunity for a person to register to vote.

(e) Forms available in paper form. The State Board of Elections shall make the voter registration form available in regular paper stock and form in sufficient quantities for the general public. The State Board of Elections may provide the voter registration form to the Secretary of State, county clerks, boards of election commissioners, designated agencies of the State of Illinois, and any other person or entity designated to have these forms by this Code in regular paper stock and form or some other format deemed suitable by the Board. Each county clerk or board of election commissioners has the authority to design and print its own voter registration form so long as the form complies with the requirements of this Section. The State Board of Elections, county clerks, boards of election commissioners, or other designated agencies of the State of Illinois required to have these forms under this Code shall provide a member of the public with any reasonable number of forms that he or she may request. Nothing in this Section shall permit the State Board of Elections, county clerk, board of election commissioners, or other appropriate election official who may accept a voter registration form to refuse to accept a voter registration form because the form is printed on photocopier or regular paper stock and form.

(f) (Blank).
(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16.1)
Sec. 1A-16.1. Automatic voter registration; Secretary of State.

(a) The Office of the Secretary of State and the State Board of Elections, pursuant to an interagency contract and jointly-adopted rules, shall establish an automatic voter registration program that satisfies the requirements of this Section and other applicable law.

(b) If an application, an application for renewal, a change of address form, or a recertification form for a driver’s license, other than a temporary visitor’s driver’s license, or a State identification card issued by the Office of the Secretary of State meets the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, then that application shall serve as a dual-purpose application. The dual-purpose application shall:

(1) also serve as an application to register to vote in Illinois;

(2) allow an applicant to change his or her registered residence address or name as it appears on the voter registration rolls;

(3) provide the applicant with an opportunity to affirmatively decline to register to vote or to change his or her registered residence address or name by providing a check box on the application form without requiring the applicant to state the reason; and

(4) unless the applicant declines to register to vote or change his or her registered residence address or name, require the applicant to attest, by signature under penalty of perjury as described in subsection (e) of this Section, to meeting the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address as indicated on his or her driver’s license or identification card dual-purpose application.

(b-5) If an application, an application for renewal, a change of address form, or a recertification form for a driver’s license, other than a temporary visitor’s driver’s license, or a State identification card issued by the Office of the Secretary of State does not meet the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005, then that application shall serve as a dual-purpose application. The dual-purpose application shall:

(1) also serve as an application to register to vote in Illinois;

(2) allow an applicant to change his or her registered residence address or name as it appears on the voter registration rolls; and

(3) if the applicant chooses to register to vote or to change his or her registered residence address or name, then require the applicant to attest, by a separate signature under penalty of perjury, to meeting the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address as indicated on his or her dual-purpose application.

(b-10) The Office of the Secretary of State shall clearly and conspicuously inform each applicant in writing: (i) of the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois, (ii) of the penalties provided by law for submission of a false voter registration application, (iii) that, unless the applicant declines to register to vote or update his or her voter registration, his or her dual-purpose application shall also serve as both an application to register to vote and his or her attestation that he or she meets the eligibility requirements for voter registration, and that his or her application to register to vote or update his or her registration will be transmitted to the State Board of Elections for the purpose of registering the person to vote at the residence address to be indicated on his or her driver’s license or identification card, and (iv) that declining to register to vote is confidential and will not affect any services the person may be seeking from the Office of the Secretary of State.

(c) The Office of the Secretary of State shall review information provided to the Office of the Secretary of State by the State Board of Elections to inform each applicant for a driver’s license or permit, other than a temporary visitor’s driver’s license, or a State identification card issued by the Office of the Secretary of State whether the applicant is currently registered to vote in Illinois and, if registered, at what address.

(d) The Office of the Secretary of State shall not require an applicant for a driver’s license or State identification card to provide duplicate identification or information in order to complete an application to register to vote or change his or her registered residence address or name. Before transmitting any personal information about an applicant to the State Board of Elections, the Office of the Secretary of State shall review its records of the identification documents the applicant provided in order to complete the application for a driver’s license or State identification card, to confirm that nothing in those documents indicates that the applicant does not satisfy the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address.

(e) A completed, signed application for (i) a driver’s license or permit, other than a temporary visitor’s driver’s license, or a State identification card issued by the Office of the Secretary of State, that meets the requirements of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005; or (ii) a completed application under subsection (b-5) of this Section with a separate signature attesting the applicant meets the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address as indicated on his or her application shall constitute a signed application to register to vote in Illinois at the residence address indicated in the application unless the person affirmatively declined in the application to register to vote or to change his or her registered residence address or name. If the identification documents provided to complete the dual-purpose application indicate that he or she does not satisfy the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address, the application shall be marked as incomplete.

(f) For each completed and signed application that constitutes an application to register to vote in Illinois or provides for a change in the applicant’s registered residence address or name, the Office of the Secretary of State shall electronically transmit to the State Board of Elections personal information needed to complete the person’s registration to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address. The application to register to vote shall be processed in accordance with Section 1A-16.7.

(g) If the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 is repealed, abrogated, superseded, or otherwise no longer in effect, then the State Board of Elections shall establish criteria for determining reliable personal information indicating citizenship status and shall adopt rules as necessary for the Secretary of State to continue processing dual-purpose applications under this Section.

(h) As used in this Section, “dual-purpose application” means an application, an application for renewal, a change of address form, or a recertification form for driver’s license or permit, other than a temporary visitor’s driver’s license, or a State identification card offered by the Secretary of State that also serves as an application to register to vote in Illinois. “Dual-purpose application” does not mean an application under subsection (c) of Section 6-109 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
(Source: P.A. 100-464, eff. 8-28-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16.2)
Sec. 1A-16.2. Automatic voter registration; designated automatic voter registration agencies.

(a) Each designated automatic voter registration agency shall, pursuant to an interagency contract and jointly-adopted rules with the State Board of Elections, agree to participate in an automatic voter registration program established by the State Board of Elections that satisfies the requirements of this Section and other applicable law. If the designated automatic voter registration agency provides applications, applications for renewal, change of address forms, or recertification forms to individuals for services offered by another agency, then the State Board of Elections and the designated automatic voter agency shall consult with the other agency. The State Board of Elections shall consider the current technological capabilities of the designated voter registration agency when drafting interagency contracts and jointly-adopted rules. The State Board of Elections and the designated automatic voter registration agency shall amend these contracts and rules as the technological capabilities of the designated voter registration agencies improve.

(b) As provided in subsection (a) of this Section, each designated automatic voter registration agency that collects or cross-references reliable personal information indicating citizenship status may provide that an application for a license, permit, program, or service shall serve as a dual-purpose application. The dual-purpose application shall:

(1) also serve as an application to register to vote in Illinois;

(2) allow an applicant to change his or her registered residence address or name as it appears on the voter registration rolls;

(3) provide the applicant with an opportunity to affirmatively decline to register to vote or change his or her registered residence address or name by providing a check box on the application form without requiring the applicant to state the reason; and

(4) unless the applicant declines to register to vote or to change his or her registered residence address or name, require the applicant to attest, by signature under penalty of perjury, to meeting the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address as indicated on his or her dual-purpose application.

(c) As provided in subsection (a) of this Section, each designated automatic voter registration agency that does not collect or cross-reference records containing reliable personal information indicating citizenship status may provide that an application, an application for renewal, a change of address form, or a recertification form for a license, permit, program, or service shall serve as a dual-purpose application. The dual-purpose application shall:

(1) also serve as an application to register to vote in Illinois;

(2) allow an applicant to change his or her registered residence address or name as it appears on the voter registration rolls; and

(3) if the applicant chooses to register to vote or to change his or her registered residence address or name, then require the applicant to attest, by a separate signature under penalty of perjury, to meeting the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address as indicated on his or her dual-purpose application.

(c-5) The designated automatic voter registration agency shall clearly and conspicuously inform each applicant in writing: (i) of the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois, (ii) of the penalties provided by law for submission of a false voter registration application, (iii) that, unless the applicant declines to register to vote or update his or her voter registration, his or her application shall also serve as both an application to register to vote and his or her attestation that he or she meets the eligibility requirements for voter registration, and that his or her application to register to vote or update his or her registration will be transmitted to the State Board of Elections for the purpose of registering the person to vote at the residence address to be indicated on the dual-purpose application, (iv) that information identifying the agency at which he or she applied to register to vote is confidential, (v) that declining to register to vote is confidential and will not affect any services the person may be seeking from the agency, and (vi) any additional information needed in order to comply with Section 7 of the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

(d) The designated automatic voter registration agency shall review information provided to the agency by the State Board of Elections to inform each applicant whether the applicant is currently registered to vote in Illinois and, if registered, at what address.

(e) The designated automatic voter registration agency shall not require an applicant for a dual-purpose application to provide duplicate identification or information in order to complete an application to register to vote or change his or her registered residence address or name. Before transmitting any personal information about an applicant to the State Board of Elections, the agency shall review its records of the identification documents the applicant provided or that the agency cross-references in order to complete the dual-purpose application, to confirm that nothing in those documents indicates that the applicant does not satisfy the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address. A completed and signed dual-purpose application, including a completed application under subsection (c) of this Section with a separate signature attesting that the applicant meets the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address as indicated on his or her application, shall constitute an application to register to vote in Illinois at the residence address indicated in the application unless the person affirmatively declined in the application to register to vote or to change his or her registered residence address or name. If the identification documents provided to complete the dual-purpose application, or that the agency cross-references, indicate that he or she does not satisfy the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address, the application shall be marked as incomplete.

(f) For each completed and signed dual-purpose application that constitutes an application to register to vote in Illinois or provides for a change in the applicant’s registered residence address or name, the designated automatic voter registration agency shall electronically transmit to the State Board of Elections personal information needed to complete the person’s registration to vote in Illinois at his or her residence address. The application to register to vote shall be processed in accordance with Section 1A-16.7.

(g) As used in this Section:
“Designated automatic voter registration agency” or “agency” means the divisions of Family and Community Services and Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Human Services, the Department of Employment Security, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the Department of Natural Resources, or an agency of the State or federal government that has been determined by the State Board of Elections to have access to reliable personal information and has entered into an interagency contract with the State Board of Elections to participate in the automatic voter registration program under this Section.
“Dual-purpose application” means an application, an application for renewal, a change of address form, or a recertification form for a license, permit, program, or service offered by a designated automatic voter registration agency that also serves as an application to register to vote in Illinois.
“Reliable personal information” means information about individuals obtained from government sources that may be used to verify whether an individual is eligible to register to vote.

(h) This Section shall be implemented no later than July 1, 2019.
(Source: P.A. 100-464, eff. 8-28-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16.5)
Sec. 1A-16.5. Online voter registration.

(a) The State Board of Elections shall establish and maintain a system for online voter registration that permits a person to apply to register to vote or to update his or her existing voter registration. In accordance with technical specifications provided by the State Board of Elections, each election authority shall maintain a voter registration system capable of receiving and processing voter registration application information, including electronic signatures, from the online voter registration system established by the State Board of Elections.

(b) The online voter registration system shall employ security measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter registration applications submitted electronically pursuant to this Section.

(c) The Board may receive voter registration information provided by applicants using the State Board of Elections’ website, may cross reference that information with data or information contained in the Secretary of State’s database in order to match the information submitted by applicants, and may receive from the Secretary of State the applicant’s digitized signature upon a successful match of that applicant’s information with that contained in the Secretary of State’s database.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is qualified to register to vote and who has an authentic Illinois driver’s license or State identification card issued by the Secretary of State may submit an application to register to vote electronically on a website maintained by the State Board of Elections.

(e) An online voter registration application shall contain all of the information that is required for a paper application as provided in Section 1A-16 of this Code, except that the applicant shall be required to provide:

(1) the applicant’s full Illinois driver’s license or State identification card number;

(2) the last 4 digits of the applicant’s social security number; and

(3) the date the Illinois driver’s license or State identification card was issued.

(f) For an applicant’s registration or change in registration to be accepted, the applicant shall mark the box associated with the following statement included as part of the online voter registration application:
“By clicking on the box below, I swear or affirm all of the following:

(1) I am the person whose name and identifying information is provided on this form, and I desire to register to vote in the State of Illinois.

(2) All the information I have provided on this form is true and correct as of the date I am submitting this form.

(3) I authorize the Secretary of State to transmit to the State Board of Elections my signature that is on file with the Secretary of State and understand that such signature will be used by my local election authority on this online voter registration application for admission as an elector as if I had signed this form personally.”.

(g) Immediately upon receiving a completed online voter registration application, the online voter registration system shall send, by electronic mail, a confirmation notice that the application has been received. Within 48 hours of receiving such an application, the online voter registration system shall send by electronic mail, a notice informing the applicant of whether the following information has been matched with the Secretary of State database:

(1) that the applicant has an authentic Illinois driver’s license or State identification card issued by the Secretary of State and that the driver’s license or State identification number provided by the applicant matches the driver’s license or State identification card number for that person on file with the Secretary of State;

(2) that the date of issuance of the Illinois driver’s license or State identification card listed on the application matches the date of issuance of that card for that person on file with the Secretary of State;

(3) that the date of birth provided by the applicant matches the date of birth for that person on file with the Secretary of State; and

(4) that the last 4 digits of the applicant’s social security number matches the last 4 digits for that person on file with the Secretary of State.

(h) If the information provided by the applicant matches the information on the Secretary of State’s databases for any driver’s license and State identification card holder and is matched as provided in subsection (g) above, the online voter registration system shall:

(1) retrieve from the Secretary of State’s database files an electronic copy of the applicant’s signature from his or her Illinois driver’s license or State identification card and such signature shall be deemed to be the applicant’s signature on his or her online voter registration application;

(2) within 2 days of receiving the application, forward to the county clerk or board of election commissioners having jurisdiction over the applicant’s voter registration: (i) the application, along with the applicant’s relevant data that can be directly loaded into the jurisdiction’s voter registration system and (ii) a copy of the applicant’s electronic signature and a certification from the State Board of Elections that the applicant’s driver’s license or State identification card number, driver’s license or State identification card date of issuance, and date of birth and social security information have been successfully matched.

(i) Upon receipt of the online voter registration application, the county clerk or board of election commissioners having jurisdiction over the applicant’s voter registration shall promptly search its voter registration database to determine whether the applicant is already registered to vote at the address on the application and whether the new registration would create a duplicate registration. If the applicant is already registered to vote at the address on the application, the clerk or board, as the case may be, shall send the applicant by first class mail, and electronic mail if the applicant has provided an electronic mail address on the original voter registration form for that address, a disposition notice as otherwise required by law informing the applicant that he or she is already registered to vote at such address. If the applicant is not already registered to vote at the address on the application and the applicant is otherwise eligible to register to vote, the clerk or board, as the case may be, shall:

(1) enter the name and address of the applicant on the list of registered voters in the jurisdiction; and

(2) send by mail, and electronic mail if the applicant has provided an electronic mail address on the voter registration form, a disposition notice to the applicant as otherwise provided by law setting forth the applicant’s name and address as it appears on the application and stating that the person is registered to vote.

(j) An electronic signature of the person submitting a duplicate registration application or a change of address form that is retrieved and imported from the Secretary of State’s driver’s license or State identification card database as provided herein may, in the discretion of the clerk or board, be substituted for and replace any existing signature for that individual in the voter registration database of the county clerk or board of election commissioners.

(k) Any new registration or change of address submitted electronically as provided in this Section shall become effective as of the date it is received by the county clerk or board of election commissioners having jurisdiction over said registration. Disposition notices prescribed in this Section shall be sent within 5 business days of receipt of the online application or change of address by the county clerk or board of election commissioners.

(l) All provisions of this Code governing voter registration and applicable thereto and not inconsistent with this Section shall apply to online voter registration under this Section. All applications submitted on a website maintained by the State Board of Elections shall be deemed timely filed if they are submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on the 16th day prior to an election. After the registration period for an upcoming election has ended and until the 2nd day following such election, the web page containing the online voter registration form on the State Board of Elections website shall inform users of the procedure for grace period voting.

(m) The State Board of Elections shall maintain a list of the name, street address, e-mail address, and likely precinct, ward, township, and district numbers, as the case may be, of people who apply to vote online through the voter registration system and those names and that information shall be stored in an electronic format on its website, arranged by county and accessible to State and local political committees.

(n) The Illinois State Board of Elections shall develop or cause to be developed an online voter registration system able to be accessed by at least the top two most used mobile electronic operating systems by January 1, 2016.

(o) (Blank).

(p) Each State department that maintains an Internet website must include a hypertext link to the homepage website maintained and operated pursuant to this Section 1A-16.5. For the purposes of this Section, “State department” means the departments of State Government listed in Section 5-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (General Provisions and Departments of State Government).
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16.6)
Sec. 1A-16.6. Government agency voter registration.

(a) By April 1, 2016, the State Board of Elections shall establish and maintain a portal for government agency registration that permits an eligible person to electronically apply to register to vote or to update his or her existing voter registration whenever he or she conducts business, either online or in person, with a designated government agency. The portal shall interface with the online voter registration system established in Section 1A-16.5 of this Code and shall be capable of receiving and processing voter registration application information, including electronic signatures, from a designated government agency. The State Board of Elections shall modify the online voter registration system as necessary to implement this Section.
Voter registration data received from a designated government agency through the online registration system shall be processed as provided for in Section 1A-16.5 of this Code.
Whenever the registration interface is accessible to the general public, including, but not limited to, online transactions, the interface shall allow the applicant to complete the process as provided for in Section 1A-16.5 of this Code. The online interface shall be capable of providing the applicant with the applicant’s voter registration status with the State Board of Elections and, if registered, the applicant’s current registration address. The applicant shall not be required to re-enter any registration data, such as name, address, and birth date, if the designated government agency already has that information on file. The applicant shall be informed that by choosing to register to vote or to update his or her existing voter registration, the applicant consents to the transfer of the applicant’s personal information to the State Board of Elections.
Whenever a government employee is accessing the registration system while servicing the applicant, the government employee shall notify the applicant of the applicant’s registration status with the State Board of Elections and, if registered, the applicant’s current registration address. If the applicant elects to register to vote or to update his or her existing voter registration, the government employee shall collect the needed information and assist the applicant with his or her registration. The applicant shall be informed that by choosing to register to vote or to update his or her existing voter registration, the applicant consents to the transfer of the applicant’s personal information to the State Board of Elections.
In accordance with technical specifications provided by the State Board of Elections, each designated government agency shall maintain a data transfer mechanism capable of transmitting voter registration application information, including electronic signatures where available, to the online voter registration system established in Section 1A-16.5 of this Code. Each designated government agency shall establish and operate a voter registration system capable of transmitting voter registration application information to the portal as described in this Section by July 1, 2016.

(b) Whenever an applicant’s data is transferred from a designated government agency, the agency must transmit a signature image if available. If no signature image was provided by the agency or if no signature image is available in the Secretary of State’s database or the statewide voter registration database, the applicant must be notified that their registration will remain in a pending status and the applicant will be required to provide identification and a signature to the election authority on Election Day in the polling place or during early voting.

(c) The State Board of Elections shall track registration data received through the online registration system that originated from a designated government agency for the purposes of maintaining statistics required by the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993, as amended.

(d) The State Board of Elections shall submit a report to the General Assembly and the Governor by December 1, 2015 detailing the progress made to implement the government agency voter registration portal described in this Section.

(e) The Board shall adopt rules, in consultation with the impacted agencies.

(f) As used in this Section, a “designated government agency” means the Secretary of State’s Driver Services and Vehicle Services Departments, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Employment Security, and the Department on Aging; however, if the designated government agency becomes a designated automatic voter registration agency under Section 1A-16.1 or Section 1A-16.2 of this Code, that agency shall cease to be a designated government agency under this Section.
(Source: P.A. 100-464, eff. 8-28-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16.7)
Sec. 1A-16.7. Automatic voter registration.
(a) The State Board of Elections shall establish and maintain a portal for automatic government agency voter registration that permits an eligible person to electronically apply to register to vote or to update his or her existing voter registration as provided in Section 1A-16.1 or Section 1A-16.2. The portal shall interface with the online voter registration system established in Section 1A-16.5 of this Code and shall be capable of receiving and processing voter registration application information, including electronic signatures, from the Office of the Secretary of State and each designated automatic voter registration agency, as defined in Section 1A-16.2. The State Board of Elections may cross-reference voter registration information from any designated automatic voter registration agency, as defined under Section 1A-16.2 of this Code, with information contained in the database of the Secretary of State as provided under subsection (c) of Section 1A-16.5 of this Code. The State Board of Elections shall modify the online voter registration system as necessary to implement this Section.

(b) Voter registration data received from the Office of the Secretary of State or a designated automatic voter registration agency through the online registration application system shall be processed as provided in Section 1A-16.5 of this Code.

(c) The State Board of Elections shall establish technical specifications applicable to each automatic government registration program, including data format and transmission specifications. The Office of the Secretary of State and each designated automatic voter registration agency shall maintain a data transfer mechanism capable of transmitting voter registration application information, including electronic signatures where available, to the online voter registration system established in Section 1A-16.5 of this Code.

(d) The State Board of Elections shall, by rule, establish criteria and procedures for determining whether an agency of the State or federal government seeking to become a designated automatic voter registration agency has access to reliable personal information, as defined under this subsection (d) and subsection (f) of Section 1A-16.2 of this Code, and otherwise meets the requirements to enter into an interagency contract and to operate as a designated automatic voter registration agency. The State Board of Elections shall approve each interagency contract upon affirmative vote of a majority of its members.
As used in this subsection (d), “reliable personal information” means information about individuals obtained from government sources that may be used to verify whether an individual is eligible to register to vote.

(e) Whenever an applicant’s data is transferred from the Office of the Secretary of State or a designated automatic voter registration agency, the agency must transmit a signature image if available. If no signature image was provided by the agency, or if no signature image is available in the Office of the Secretary of State’s database or the statewide voter registration database, the applicant must be notified that his or her registration will remain in a pending status, and the applicant will be required to provide identification that complies with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 and a signature to the election authority on election day in the polling place or during early voting.

(f) Upon receipt of personal information collected and transferred by the Office of the Secretary of State or a designated automatic voter registration agency, the State Board of Elections shall check the information against the statewide voter registration database. The State Board of Elections shall create and electronically transmit to the appropriate election authority a voter registration application for any individual who is not registered to vote in Illinois and is not disqualified as provided in this Section or whose information reliably indicates a more recent update to the name or address of a person already included in the statewide voter database. The election authority shall process the application accordingly.

(g) The appropriate election authority shall ensure that any applicant who is registered to vote or whose existing voter registration is updated under this Section is promptly sent written notice of the change. The notice required by this subsection (g) may be sent or combined with other notices required or permitted by law, including, but not limited to, any notices sent pursuant to Section 1A-16.5 of this Code. Any notice required by this subsection (g) shall contain, at a minimum: (i) the applicant’s name and residential address as reflected on the voter registration list; (ii) a statement notifying the applicant to contact the appropriate election authority if his or her voter registration has been updated in error; (iii) the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois; (iv) a statement notifying the applicant that he or she may opt out of voter registration or request a change to his or her registration information at any time by contacting an election official; and (v) contact information for the appropriate election authority, including a phone number, address, electronic mail address, and website address.

(h) The appropriate election authority shall ensure that any applicant whose voter registration application is not accepted or deemed incomplete is promptly sent written notice of the application’s status. The notice required by this subsection may be sent or combined with other notices required or permitted by law, including, but not limited to, any notices sent pursuant to Section 1A-16.5 of this Code. Any notice required by this subsection (h) shall contain, at a minimum, the reason the application was not accepted or deemed incomplete and contact information for the appropriate election authority, including a phone number, address, electronic mail address, and website address.

(i) If the Office of the Secretary of State or a designated automatic voter registration agency transfers information, or if the State Board of Elections creates and transmits a voter registration application, for a person who does not qualify as an eligible voter, then it shall not constitute a completed voter registration form, and the person shall not be considered to have registered to vote.

(j) If the registration is processed by any election authority, then it shall be presumed to have been effected and officially authorized by the State, and that person shall not be found on that basis to have made a false claim to citizenship or to have committed an act of moral turpitude, nor shall that person be subject to penalty under any relevant laws, including, but not limited to, Sections 29-10 and 29-19 of this Code. This subsection (j) does not apply to a person who knows that he or she is not entitled to register to vote and who willfully votes, registers to vote, or attests under penalty of perjury that he or she is eligible to register to vote or willfully attempts to vote or to register to vote.

(k) The State Board of Elections, the Office of the Secretary of State, and each designated automatic voter registration agency shall implement policies and procedures to protect the privacy and security of voter information as it is acquired, stored, and transmitted among agencies, including policies for the retention and preservation of voter information. Information designated as confidential under this Section may be recorded and shared among the State Board of Elections, election authorities, the Office of the Secretary of State, and designated automatic voter registration agencies, but shall be used only for voter registration purposes, shall not be disclosed to the public except in the aggregate as required by subsection (m) of this Section, and shall not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. The following information shall be designated as confidential:

(1) any portion of an applicant’s Social Security number;

(2) any portion of an applicant’s driver’s license number or State identification number;

(3) an applicant’s decision to decline voter registration;

(4) the identity of the person providing information relating to a specific applicant; and

(5) the personal residence and contact information of any applicant for whom notice has been given by an appropriate legal authority.

This subsection (k) shall not apply to information the State Board of Elections is required to share with the Electronic Registration Information Center.

(l) The voter registration procedures implemented under this Section shall comport with the federal National Voter Registration Act of 1993, as amended, and shall specifically require that the State Board of Elections track registration data received through the online registration system that originated from a designated automatic voter registration agency for the purposes of maintaining statistics.
Nothing in this Code shall require designated voter registration agencies to transmit information that is confidential client information under State or federal law without the consent of the applicant.

(m) The State Board of Elections, each election authority that maintains a website, the Office of the Secretary of State, and each designated automatic voter registration agency that maintains a website shall provide information on their websites informing the public about the new registration procedures described in this Section. The Office of the Secretary of State and each designated automatic voter registration agency shall display signage or provide literature for the public containing information about the new registration procedures described in this Section.

(n) No later than 6 months after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall hold at least one public hearing on implementing this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly at which the public may provide input.

(o) The State Board of Elections shall submit an annual public report to the General Assembly and the Governor detailing the progress made to implement this Section. The report shall include all of the following: the number of records transferred under this Section by agency, the number of voters newly added to the statewide voter registration list because of records transferred under this Section by agency, the number of updated registrations under this Section by agency, the number of persons who opted out of voter registration, and the number of voters who submitted voter registration forms using the online procedure described in Section 1A-16.5 of this Code. The 2018 and 2019 annual reports may include less detail if election authorities are not equipped to provide complete information to the State Board of Elections. Any report produced under this subsection (o) shall exclude any information that identifies any individual personally.

(p) The State Board of Elections, in consultation with election authorities, the Office of the Secretary of State, designated automatic voter registration agencies, and community organizations, shall adopt rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this Section.
(Source: P.A. 100-464, eff. 8-28-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16.8)
Sec. 1A-16.8. Automatic transfer of registration based upon information from the National Change of Address database and designated automatic voter registration agencies.
(a) The State Board of Elections shall cross-reference the statewide voter registration database against the United States Postal Service’s National Change of Address database twice each calendar year, April 15 and October 1 in odd-numbered years and April 15 and December 1 in even-numbered years or with the same frequency as in subsection (b) of this Section, and shall share the findings with the election authorities.

(b) In addition, beginning no later than September 1, 2017, the State Board of Elections shall utilize data provided as part of its membership in the Electronic Registration Information Center in order to cross-reference the statewide voter registration database against databases of relevant personal information kept by designated automatic voter registration agencies, including, but not limited to, driver’s license information kept by the Secretary of State, at least 6 times each calendar year and shall share the findings with election authorities.
This subsection (b) shall no longer apply once Sections 1A-16.1 and 1A-16.2 of this Code are fully implemented as determined by the State Board of Elections. Upon a determination by the State Board of Elections of full implementation of Sections 1A-16.1 and 1A-16.2 of this Code, the State Board of Elections shall file notice of full implementation and the inapplicability of this subsection (b) with the Index Department of the Office of the Secretary of State, the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Legislative Reference Bureau.

(b-5) The State Board of Elections shall not be required to share any data on any voter attained using the National Change of Address database under subsection (a) of this Section if that voter has a more recent government transaction indicated using the cross-reference under subsection (b) of this Section. If there is contradictory or unclear data between data obtained under subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, then data obtained under subsection (b) of this Section shall take priority.

(c) An election authority shall automatically register any voter who has moved into its jurisdiction from another jurisdiction in Illinois or has moved within its jurisdiction provided that:

(1) the election authority whose jurisdiction includes the new registration address provides the voter an opportunity to reject the change in registration address through a mailing, sent by non-forwardable mail, to the new registration address, and

(2) when the election authority whose jurisdiction includes the previous registration address is a different election authority, then that election authority provides the same opportunity through a mailing, sent by forwardable mail, to the previous registration address.
This change in registration shall trigger the same inter-jurisdictional or intra-jurisdictional workflows as if the voter completed a new registration card, including the cancellation of the voter’s previous registration. Should the registration of a voter be changed from one address to another within the State and should the voter appear at the polls and offer to vote from the prior registration address, attesting that the prior registration address is the true current address, the voter, if confirmed by the election authority as having been registered at the prior registration address and canceled only by the process authorized by this Section, shall be issued a regular ballot, and the change of registration address shall be canceled. If the election authority is unable to immediately confirm the registration, the voter shall be permitted to register and vote a regular ballot, provided that he or she meets the documentary requirements for same-day registration. If the election authority is unable to confirm the registration and the voter does not meet the requirements for same-day registration, the voter shall be issued a provisional ballot.

(d) No voter shall be disqualified from voting due to an error relating to an update of registration under this Section.
(Source: P.A. 99-522, eff. 6-30-16; 100-464, eff. 8-28-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16.9)
Sec. 1A-16.9. Implementation. The changes made by this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly shall be implemented no later than July 1, 2018, except for the changes made to Section 1A-16.2 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 100-464, eff. 8-28-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-17)
Sec. 1A-17. Voter registration outreach.

(a) The Secretary of State, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of Employment Security, and each public institution of higher learning in Illinois must make available on its World Wide Web site a downloadable, printable voter registration form that complies with the requirements in subsection (d) of Section 1A-16 for the State Board of Elections’ voter registration form.

(b) Each public institution of higher learning in Illinois must include voter registration information and a voter registration form supplied by the State Board of Elections under subsection (e) of Section 1A-16 in any mailing of student registration materials to an address located in Illinois. Each public institution of higher learning must provide voter registration information and a voter registration form supplied by the State Board of Elections under subsection (e) of Section 1A-16 to each person with whom the institution conducts in-person student registration.

(c) As used in this Section, a public institution of higher learning means a public university, college, or community college in Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05; incorporates P.A. 94-492, eff. 1-1-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-18)
Sec. 1A-18. Voter registration applications; General Assembly district offices. Each member of the General Assembly, and his or her State employees (as defined in Section 1-5 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act) authorized by the member, may make available voter registration forms supplied by the State Board of Elections under subsection (e) of Section 1A-16 to the public and may undertake that and other voter registration activities at the member’s district office, during regular business hours or otherwise, in a manner determined by the member.
(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-19)
Sec. 1A-19. Effect of extension of canvassing period on terms of public offices and official acts.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, if the proclamation of election results for an elected office has not been issued by the date of the commencement of the term of that elected office because of the extension of canvassing periods under this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, then the term of the elected office shall commence on a date 14 days after the proclamation of election results is issued for that elected office.

(b) If subsection (a) applies to the commencement date of an elected official’s term, and if the elected official is authorized or required by law to perform an official act by a date occurring before the commencement of his or her term of office, including but not limited to holding an organizational meeting of the public body to which the public official is elected, then notwithstanding any law to the contrary the date by which the act shall be performed shall be a date 14 days after the date otherwise established by law.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section or of this Code to the contrary, the terms of office for Supreme, Appellate, and Circuit Judges commence on the first Monday in December following their election or retention. Judicial election results must be proclaimed before that date.
(Source: P.A. 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(10 ILCS 5/1A-20)
Sec. 1A-20. Help Illinois Vote Fund. The Help Illinois Vote Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All federal funds received by the State for the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 shall be deposited into the Help Illinois Vote Fund. Moneys from any other source may be deposited into the Help Illinois Vote Fund. The Help Illinois Vote Fund shall be appropriated solely to the State Board of Elections for use only in the performance of activities and programs authorized or mandated by or in accordance with the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-25)
Sec. 1A-25. Centralized statewide voter registration list. The centralized statewide voter registration list required by Title III, Subtitle A, Section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 shall be created and maintained by the State Board of Elections as provided in this Section.

(1) The centralized statewide voter registration list shall be compiled from the voter registration data bases of each election authority in this State.

(2) With the exception of voter registration forms submitted electronically through an online voter registration system, all new voter registration forms and applications to register to vote, including those reviewed by the Secretary of State at a driver services facility, shall be transmitted only to the appropriate election authority as required by Articles 4, 5, and 6 of this Code and not to the State Board of Elections. All voter registration forms submitted electronically to the State Board of Elections through an online voter registration system shall be transmitted to the appropriate election authority as required by Section 1A-16.5. The election authority shall process and verify each voter registration form and electronically enter verified registrations on an expedited basis onto the statewide voter registration list. All original registration cards shall remain permanently in the office of the election authority as required by this Code.

(3) The centralized statewide voter registration list shall:

(i) Be designed to allow election authorities to utilize the registration data on the statewide voter registration list pertinent to voters registered in their election jurisdiction on locally maintained software programs that are unique to each jurisdiction.

(ii) Allow each election authority to perform essential election management functions, including but not limited to production of voter lists, processing of vote by mail voters, production of individual, pre-printed applications to vote, administration of election judges, and polling place administration, but shall not prevent any election authority from using information from that election authority’s own systems.

(4) The registration information maintained by each election authority shall be synchronized with that authority’s information on the statewide list at least once every 24 hours.

To protect the privacy and confidentiality of voter registration information, the disclosure of any portion of the centralized statewide voter registration list to any person or entity other than to a State or local political committee and other than to a governmental entity for a governmental purpose is specifically prohibited except as follows: (1) subject to security measures adopted by the State Board of Elections which, at a minimum, shall include the keeping of a catalog or database, available for public view, including the name, address, and telephone number of the person viewing the list as well as the time of that viewing, any person may view the list on a computer screen at the Springfield office of the State Board of Elections, during normal business hours other than during the 27 days before an election, but the person viewing the list under this exception may not print, duplicate, transmit, or alter the list; or (2) as may be required by an agreement the State Board of Elections has entered into with a multi-state voter registration list maintenance system.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-30)
Sec. 1A-30. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 94-492, eff. 1-1-06. Repealed by P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-35)
Sec. 1A-35. Early and grace period voting education. Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Elections must develop and implement an educational program to inform the public about early voting and grace period voting. The State Board shall conduct the program beginning August 1, 2006, and until the 2006 general election.
(Source: P.A. 94-1000, eff. 7-3-06.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-40)
Sec. 1A-40. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 95-441, eff. 8-27-07. Repealed internally, eff. 1-1-09.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-45)
Sec. 1A-45. Electronic Registration Information Center.

(a) The State Board of Elections shall enter into an agreement with the Electronic Registration Information Center effective no later than January 1, 2016, for the purpose of maintaining a statewide voter registration database. The State Board of Elections shall comply with the requirements of the Electronic Registration Information Center Membership Agreement. The State Board of Elections shall require a term in the Electronic Registration Information Center Membership Agreement that requires the State to share identification records contained in the Secretary of State’s Driver Services Department and Vehicle Services Department, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Aging, and the Department of Employment Security databases (excluding those fields unrelated to voter eligibility, such as income or health information).

(b) The Secretary of State and the Board of Elections shall enter into an agreement to permit the Secretary of State to provide the State Board of Elections with any information required for compliance with the Electronic Registration Information Center Membership Agreement. The Secretary of State shall deliver this information as frequently as necessary for the State Board of Elections to comply with the Electronic Registration Information Center Membership Agreement.

(b-5) The State Board of Elections and the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department on Aging, and the Department of Employment Security shall enter into an agreement to require each department to provide the State Board of Elections with any information necessary to transmit member data under the Electronic Registration Information Center Membership Agreement. The director or secretary, as applicable, of each agency shall deliver this information on an annual basis to the State Board of Elections pursuant to the agreement between the entities.

(c) Any communication required to be delivered to a registrant or potential registrant pursuant to the Electronic Registration Information Center Membership Agreement shall include at least the following message:
“Our records show people at this address may not be registered to vote at this address, but you may be eligible to register to vote or re-register to vote at this address. If you are a U.S. Citizen, a resident of Illinois, and will be 18 years old or older before the next general election in November, you are qualified to vote.
We invite you to check your registration online at (enter URL) or register to vote online at (enter URL), by requesting a mail-in voter registration form by (enter instructions for requesting a mail-in voter registration form), or visiting the (name of election authority) office at (address of election authority).”
The words “register to vote online at (enter URL)” shall be bolded and of a distinct nature from the other words in the message required by this subsection (c).

(d) Any communication required to be delivered to a potential registrant that has been identified by the Electronic Registration Information Center as eligible to vote but who is not registered to vote in Illinois shall be prepared and disseminated at the direction of the State Board of Elections. All other communications with potential registrants or re-registrants pursuant to the Electronic Registration Information Center Membership Agreement shall be prepared and disseminated at the direction of the appropriate election authority.

(e) The Executive Director of the State Board of Elections or his or her designee shall serve as the Member Representative to the Electronic Registration Information Center.

(f) The State Board of Elections may adopt any rules necessary to enforce this Section or comply with the Electronic Registration Information Center Membership Agreement.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-50)
Sec. 1A-50. The ERIC Operations Trust Fund. The ERIC Operations Trust Fund (Trust Fund) is created as a nonappropriated trust fund to be held outside of the State treasury, with the State Treasurer as ex officio custodian. The Trust Fund shall be financed by a combination of private donations and by appropriations by the General Assembly. The Board may accept from all sources, contributions, grants, gifts, bequeaths, legacies of money, and securities to be deposited into the Trust Fund. All deposits shall become part of the Trust Fund corpus. Moneys in the Trust Fund are not subject to appropriation and shall be used by the Board solely for the costs and expenses related to the participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center pursuant to this Code.
All gifts, grants, assets, funds, or moneys received by the Board for the purpose of participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center shall be deposited and held in the Trust Fund by the State Treasurer separate and apart from all public moneys or funds of this State and shall be administered by the Board exclusively for the purposes set forth in this Section. All moneys in the Trust Fund shall be invested and reinvested by the State Treasurer. All interest accruing from these investments shall be deposited in the Trust Fund.
The ERIC Operations Trust Fund is not subject to sweeps, administrative charge-backs, or any other fiscal or budgetary maneuver that would in any way transfer any amounts from the ERIC Operations Trust Fund into any other fund of the State.
(Source: P.A. 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/1A-55)
(Text of Section from P.A. 100-587)
Sec. 1A-55. Cyber security efforts. The State Board of Elections shall provide by rule, after at least 2 public hearings of the Board and in consultation with the election authorities, a Cyber Navigator Program to support the efforts of election authorities to defend against cyber breaches and detect and recover from cyber attacks. The rules shall include the Board’s plan to allocate any resources received in accordance with the Help America Vote Act and provide that no less than half of any such funds received shall be allocated to the Cyber Navigator Program. The Cyber Navigator Program should be designed to provide equal support to all election authorities, with allowable modifications based on need. The remaining half of the Help America Vote Act funds shall be distributed as the State Board of Elections may determine, but no grants may be made to election authorities that do not participate in the Cyber Navigator Program.
(Source: P.A. 100-587, eff. 6-4-18.)

(Text of Section from P.A. 100-623)
Sec. 1A-55. Cyber security efforts. The Board shall adopt rules, after at least 2 public hearings of the Board and in consultation with election authorities, establishing a cyber navigator program to support election authorities’ efforts to defend against cyber breaches and detect and recover from cyber attacks. The rules shall include the Board’s plan to allocate any resources received in accordance with the federal Help America Vote Act and provide that no less than half of any funds received under the federal Help America Vote Act shall be allocated to the cyber navigator program. The cyber navigator program shall be designed to provide equal support to all elections authorities with some modifications allowable based on need. The remaining half of the federal Help America Vote Act funds shall be distributed as the Board sees fit, but no grants may be made to election authorities that do not participate in the cyber navigator program managed by the Board.
(Source: P.A. 100-623, eff. 7-20-18.)

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Article 2A – Time of Holding Elections

(10 ILCS 5/2A-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-1)
(Text of Section WITH the changes made by P.A. 89-719, which has been held unconstitutional)
Sec. 2A-1. All Elections – Governed by this Code – Construction of Article 2A.

(a) No public question may be submitted to any voters in this State, nor may any person be nominated for public office or elected to public or political party office in this State except pursuant to this Code, notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute or municipal charter. However, this Code shall not apply to elections for officers or public questions of local school councils established pursuant to Chapter 34 of the School Code, soil and water conservation districts or drainage districts, except as specifically made applicable by another statute.

(b) All elections in this State shall be held in accordance with the consolidated schedule of elections established in Sections 2A-1.1 and 2A-1.2. No election may be held on any date other than a date on which an election is scheduled under Section 2A-1.1, except special elections to fill congressional vacancies held pursuant to writs of election issued by the Governor, judicial elections to fill vacancies in the office of Supreme Court Judge held pursuant to writs of election issued by the Governor under subsection (a-5) of Section 2A-9, township referenda and votes of the town electors held at the annual town meeting, emergency referenda approved pursuant to Section 2A-1.4, special elections held between January 1, 1995 and July 1, 1995 under Section 34-53 of the School Code, and city, village or incorporated town primary elections in even-numbered years expressly authorized in this Article to provide for annual partisan elections.

(c) At the respective elections established in Section 2A-1.1, candidates shall be elected to office, nominated for election thereto or placed on the ballot as otherwise required by this Code, and public questions may be submitted, as specified in Section 2A-1.2.

(d) If the requirements of Section 2A-1.2 conflict with any specific provision of Sections 2A-2 through 2A-54, as applied to any office or election, the requirements of Section 2A-1.2 prevail, and shall be enforced by the State Board of Elections.

(e) In the event any court of competent jurisdiction declares an election void, the court may order another election without regard to the schedule of elections set forth in this Article.
(Source: P.A. 89-719, eff. 3-7-97.)

 

(Text of Section WITHOUT the changes made by P.A. 89-719, which has been held unconstitutional)
Sec. 2A-1. All Elections – Governed by this Code – Construction of Article 2A.

(a) No public question may be submitted to any voters in this State, nor may any person be nominated for public office or elected to public or political party office in this State except pursuant to this Code, notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute or municipal charter. However, this Code shall not apply to elections for officers or public questions of local school councils established pursuant to Chapter 34 of the School Code, soil and water conservation districts or drainage districts, except as specifically made applicable by another statute.

(b) All elections in this State shall be held in accordance with the consolidated schedule of elections established in Sections 2A-1.1 and 2A-1.2. No election may be held on any date other than a date on which an election is scheduled under Section 2A-1.1, except special elections to fill congressional vacancies held pursuant to writs of election issued by the Governor, township referenda and votes of the town electors held at the annual town meeting, emergency referenda approved pursuant to Section 2A-1.4, special elections held between January 1, 1995 and July 1, 1995 under Section 34-53 of the School Code, and city, village or incorporated town primary elections in even-numbered years expressly authorized in this Article to provide for annual partisan elections.

(c) At the respective elections established in Section 2A-1.1, candidates shall be elected to office, nominated for election thereto or placed on the ballot as otherwise required by this Code, and public questions may be submitted, as specified in Section 2A-1.2.

(d) If the requirements of Section 2A-1.2 conflict with any specific provision of Sections 2A-2 through 2A-54, as applied to any office or election, the requirements of Section 2A-1.2 prevail, and shall be enforced by the State Board of Elections.

(e) In the event any court of competent jurisdiction declares an election void, the court may order another election without regard to the schedule of elections set forth in this Article.
(Source: P.A. 88-511.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-1.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-1.1)
Sec. 2A-1.1. All Elections – Consolidated Schedule.

(a) In even-numbered years, the general election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November; and an election to be known as the general primary election shall be held on the third Tuesday in March;

(b) In odd-numbered years, an election to be known as the consolidated election shall be held on the first Tuesday in April except as provided in Section 2A-1.1a of this Act; and an election to be known as the consolidated primary election shall be held on the last Tuesday in February.
(Source: P.A. 95-6, eff. 6-20-07; 96-886, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-1.1a) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-1.1a)
Sec. 2A-1.1a. Whenever the date designated in paragraph (b) of Section 2A-1.1 for the consolidated election conflicts with the celebration of Passover, that election shall be postponed to the first Tuesday following the last day of Passover.
(Source: P.A. 82-1014.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-1.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-1.2)
Sec. 2A-1.2. Consolidated schedule of elections – offices designated.
(a) At the general election in the appropriate even-numbered years, the following offices shall be filled or shall be on the ballot as otherwise required by this Code:

(1) Elector of President and Vice President of theUnited States;

(2) United States Senator and United States Representative;

(3) State Executive Branch elected officers;

(4) State Senator and State Representative;

(5) County elected officers, including State’s Attorney, County Board member, County Commissioners, and elected President of the County Board or County Chief Executive;

(6) Circuit Court Clerk;

(7) Regional Superintendent of Schools, except in counties or educational service regions in which that office has been abolished;

(8) Judges of the Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Courts, on the question of retention, to fill vacancies and newly created judicial offices;

(9) (Blank);

(10) Trustee of the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Chicago, and elected Trustee of other Sanitary Districts;

(11) Special District elected officers, not otherwise designated in this Section, where the statute creating or authorizing the creation of the district requires an annual election and permits or requires election of candidates of political parties.

(b) At the general primary election:

(1) in each even-numbered year candidates of political parties shall be nominated for those offices to be filled at the general election in that year, except where pursuant to law nomination of candidates of political parties is made by caucus.

(2) in the appropriate even-numbered years the political party offices of State central committeeperson, township committeeperson, ward committeeperson, and precinct committeeperson shall be filled and delegates and alternate delegates to the National nominating conventions shall be elected as may be required pursuant to this Code. In the even-numbered years in which a Presidential election is to be held, candidates in the Presidential preference primary shall also be on the ballot.

(3) in each even-numbered year, where the municipality has provided for annual elections to elect municipal officers pursuant to Section 6(f) or Section 7 of Article VII of the Constitution, pursuant to the Illinois Municipal Code or pursuant to the municipal charter, the offices of such municipal officers shall be filled at an election held on the date of the general primary election, provided that the municipal election shall be a nonpartisan election where required by the Illinois Municipal Code. For partisan municipal elections in even-numbered years, a primary to nominate candidates for municipal office to be elected at the general primary election shall be held on the Tuesday 6 weeks preceding that election.

(4) in each school district which has adopted the provisions of Article 33 of the School Code, successors to the members of the board of education whose terms expire in the year in which the general primary is held shall be elected.

(c) At the consolidated election in the appropriate odd-numbered years, the following offices shall be filled:

(1) Municipal officers, provided that in municipalities in which candidates for alderman or other municipal office are not permitted by law to be candidates of political parties, the runoff election where required by law, or the nonpartisan election where required by law, shall be held on the date of the consolidated election; and provided further, in the case of municipal officers provided for by an ordinance providing the form of government of the municipality pursuant to Section 7 of Article VII of the Constitution, such offices shall be filled by election or by runoff election as may be provided by such ordinance;

(2) Village and incorporated town library directors;

(3) City boards of stadium commissioners;

(4) Commissioners of park districts;

(5) Trustees of public library districts;

(6) Special District elected officers, not otherwise designated in this Section, where the statute creating or authorizing the creation of the district permits or requires election of candidates of political parties;

(7) Township officers, including township park commissioners, township library directors, and boards of managers of community buildings, and Multi-Township Assessors;

(8) Highway commissioners and road district clerks;

(9) Members of school boards in school districts which adopt Article 33 of the School Code;

(10) The directors and chair of the Chain O Lakes – Fox River Waterway Management Agency;

(11) Forest preserve district commissioners elected under Section 3.5 of the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act;

(12) Elected members of school boards, school trustees, directors of boards of school directors, trustees of county boards of school trustees (except in counties or educational service regions having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants) and members of boards of school inspectors, except school boards in school districts that adopt Article 33 of the School Code;

(13) Members of Community College district boards;

(14) Trustees of Fire Protection Districts;

(15) Commissioners of the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority;

(16) Elected Trustees of Tuberculosis Sanitarium Districts;

(17) Elected Officers of special districts not otherwise designated in this Section for which the law governing those districts does not permit candidates of political parties.

(d) At the consolidated primary election in each odd-numbered year, candidates of political parties shall be nominated for those offices to be filled at the consolidated election in that year, except where pursuant to law nomination of candidates of political parties is made by caucus, and except those offices listed in paragraphs (12) through (17) of subsection (c).
At the consolidated primary election in the appropriate odd-numbered years, the mayor, clerk, treasurer, and aldermen shall be elected in municipalities in which candidates for mayor, clerk, treasurer, or alderman are not permitted by law to be candidates of political parties, subject to runoff elections to be held at the consolidated election as may be required by law, and municipal officers shall be nominated in a nonpartisan election in municipalities in which pursuant to law candidates for such office are not permitted to be candidates of political parties.
At the consolidated primary election in the appropriate odd-numbered years, municipal officers shall be nominated or elected, or elected subject to a runoff, as may be provided by an ordinance providing a form of government of the municipality pursuant to Section 7 of Article VII of the Constitution.

(e) (Blank).

(f) At any election established in Section 2A-1.1, public questions may be submitted to voters pursuant to this Code and any special election otherwise required or authorized by law or by court order may be conducted pursuant to this Code.
Notwithstanding the regular dates for election of officers established in this Article, whenever a referendum is held for the establishment of a political subdivision whose officers are to be elected, the initial officers shall be elected at the election at which such referendum is held if otherwise so provided by law. In such cases, the election of the initial officers shall be subject to the referendum.
Notwithstanding the regular dates for election of officials established in this Article, any community college district which becomes effective by operation of law pursuant to Section 6-6.1 of the Public Community College Act, as now or hereafter amended, shall elect the initial district board members at the next regularly scheduled election following the effective date of the new district.

(g) At any election established in Section 2A-1.1, if in any precinct there are no offices or public questions required to be on the ballot under this Code then no election shall be held in the precinct on that date.

(h) There may be conducted a referendum in accordance with the provisions of Division 6-4 of the Counties Code.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-1.3) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-1.3)
Sec. 2A-1.3. Calendar of Elections – Determination and Publication – State Board. On December 1, 1980 and on December 1 of each even-numbered year the State Board of Elections shall have prepared and published an official State calendar of elections listing the elections to be held during that year and the following year, the election dates, and the offices to be on the ballot at each such election and any functional dates or other information relevant to the conduct of elections. The official calendar shall include all offices in the State.
The official State Calendar shall comply with the schedule of elections established in this Article 2A. The official calendar may be amended from time to time by the Board by adoption and publication of modifications or additions or by adoption and publication of a revised official calendar.
On December 1, 1981 and each odd-numbered year thereafter the Board shall have prepared and published a revised official calendar if any modifications or additions were made by separate publication after the initial adoption of the official calendar for that biennium.
(Source: P.A. 81-929.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-1.4) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-1.4)
Sec. 2A-1.4. Emergency Referenda – Petition – Approval. Whenever any public question is to be submitted pursuant to law, whether by action of the governing body of a unit of local government or school district, by petition, or by court order, the governing body of the unit of local government or school district whose powers or duties are directly affected by the result of the vote on the public question may petition the circuit court for an order declaring such proposition to be an emergency and fixing a date other than a regularly scheduled election date under Section 2A-1.1 on which a special referendum election shall be held for the submission of the public question.
The petition shall set forth the public question and the action taken which requires the submission of the question, the next regularly scheduled election under Section 2A-1.1 at which the proposition could otherwise be placed on the ballot, the estimated costs of conducting a separate special election, and the reasons why an emergency exists to justify such special election prior to the next ensuing regular election. The petition must be approved by a majority of the members, elected or appointed, of the governing body.
The court shall conduct a hearing on the petition. Any resident of the area in which the referendum is to be conducted may oppose the petition.
The court may approve the petition for an emergency referendum only upon a finding, supported by the evidence, that the referendum is necessitated by an imminent need for approval of additional authority in order to maintain the operations or facilities of the unit of government or school district and that such need is due to circumstances beyond the control of the governing body.
(Source: P.A. 80-2dSS-6.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-2)
Sec. 2A-2. Presidential and Vice Presidential Electors – Time of Election. As many electors of President and Vice President of the United States as this State may be entitled to elect shall be elected at the general election, immediately preceding the expiration of the term of the incumbent President of the United States.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-3)
Sec. 2A-3. United States Senator – Time of Election. A United States Senator shall be elected at the general election immediately preceding the expiration of the term of an incumbent United States Senator from this State.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-4)
Sec. 2A-4. United States Representative – Time of Election. The Representatives in the United States Congress from this State shall be elected at each general election, and vacancies shall be filled at special elections pursuant to writs of election issued by the Governor.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-5)
Sec. 2A-5. Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller – Time of Election. The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State and Comptroller shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-6)
Sec. 2A-6. State Treasurer – Time of Election. The State Treasurer shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-7)
Sec. 2A-7. State Senator – Time of Election. A State Senator shall be elected in a legislative district at the general election which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of that district’s incumbent Senator.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-8)
Sec. 2A-8. State Representative – Time of Election. Members of the State House of Representatives shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at each general election every 2 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-9)
(Text of Section WITH the changes made by P.A. 89-719, which has been held unconstitutional)
Sec. 2A-9. Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Judges.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a-5), if one of the following events occurs 92 or more days before a general primary election at which judges are to be nominated, the term of an incumbent judge will expire on the first Monday in December of the next even-numbered year:

(1) the judge dies;

(2) the Chief Justice receives a written resignation or notice of retirement, signed and submitted by the judge, which specifies a date of resignation or retirement on or before the first Monday in December of the next even-numbered year;

(3) a statute mandates the judge’s retirement for reason of age on or before the first Monday in December of the next even-numbered year;

(4) the judge was eligible to seek retention in the next general election but failed to timely file a declaration of candidacy to succeed himself or, having timely filed such declaration, withdrew it;

(5) the judge is convicted of a felony or other infamous crime;

(6) the judge is removed from office.

Except as otherwise provided in subsection (a-5), if one of the preceding events occurs less than 92 days before a general primary election at which judges are to be nominated, the term of an incumbent judge will expire on the first Monday in December following the second general election thereafter.
(a-5) If a vacancy occurs in the office of Supreme Court Judge, including one of the events described in subsection (a) or a vacancy occurring because of the failure of the Judge to be retained in office, the Governor shall issue writs of election to fill that vacancy in a manner provided in this subsection. The Governor shall issue a writ of election within 5 days after the occurrence of that vacancy to the county clerks of the several counties in the Judicial District where the vacancy exists, appointing a day within 115 days to hold a judicial election to fill such vacancy. The Governor shall issue a writ of election to hold a judicial primary election to nominate candidates for the office of Supreme Court Judge at least 30 days preceding the judicial election. A Supreme Court Judge elected under this subsection (a-5) shall begin his or her term upon certification of his or her election by the State Board of Elections. If the vacancy occurred 92 or more days before a general primary election at which judges are to be nominated, a Supreme Court Judge elected to fill a vacancy under this subsection (a-5) shall hold his or her office until the first Monday in December following the next general election, at which general election a Supreme Court Judge shall be elected for a full term. If the vacancy occurred less than 92 days before a general primary election at which judges are to be nominated, a Supreme Court Judge elected to fill a vacancy under this subsection (a-5) shall hold his or her office until the first Monday in December following the second general election thereafter, at which general election a Supreme Court Judge shall be elected for a full term.

(b) Judges of the Appellate and Circuit Courts shall be elected in their respective districts or circuits at the general election of each even-numbered year immediately preceding the expiration of the term of each incumbent judge, not retained, and shall enter upon the duties of their offices on the first Monday of December after their election.

(c) Whenever an additional appellate or Circuit Judge is authorized by law, the office shall be filled in the manner provided for filling a vacancy in that office.
(Source: P.A. 89-719, eff. 3-7-97.)

(Text of Section WITHOUT the changes made by P.A. 89-719, which has been held unconstitutional)
Sec. 2A-9. Supreme, Appellate and Circuit Judges.

(a) If one of the following events occurs 92 or more days before a general primary election at which judges are to be nominated, the term of an incumbent judge will expire on the first Monday in December of the next even-numbered year:

(1) the judge dies;

(2) the Chief Justice receives a written resignation or notice of retirement, signed and submitted by the judge, which specifies a date of resignation or retirement on or before the first Monday in December of the next even-numbered year;

(3) a statute mandates the judge’s retirement for reason of age on or before the first Monday in December of the next even-numbered year;

(4) the judge was eligible to seek retention in the next general election but failed to timely file a declaration of candidacy to succeed himself or, having timely filed such declaration, withdrew it;
(5) the judge is convicted of a felony or other infamous crime;

(6) the judge is removed from office.

If one of the preceding events occurs less than 92 days before a primary election at which judges are to be nominated, the term of an incumbent judge will expire on the first Monday in December following the second general election thereafter.

(b) Judges of the Appellate and Circuit Courts shall be elected in their respective districts or circuits at the general election of each even-numbered year immediately preceding the expiration of the term of each incumbent judge, not retained, and shall enter upon the duties of their offices on the first Monday of December after their election.

(c) Whenever an additional appellate or Circuit Judge is authorized by law, the office shall be filled in the manner provided for filling a vacancy in that office.
(Source: P.A. 86-1348.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-10)
Sec. 2A-10. Assessor – Board of Appeals. In each county which elects a County Assessor and a Board of Appeals, the County Assessor and the Board of Appeals shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-10.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-10.1)
Sec. 2A-10.1. Supervisor of Assessments. In each county of less than 3,000,000 inhabitants having an elected supervisor of assessments, the supervisor of assessments shall be elected at a general election and shall serve for a term of 4 years.
(Source: P.A. 84-837.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-11)
Sec. 2A-11. Board of Assessors – Time of Election. A member of the Board of Assessors in each county which elects members of a Board of Assessors shall be elected at each general election to succeed each incumbent member whose term expires before the following general election.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-12)
Sec. 2A-12. Board of Review – Time of Election. A member of the Board of Review in any county which elects members of a Board of Review shall be elected, at each general election which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of any incumbent member, to succeed each member whose term ends before the following general election, except that members of the Cook County Board of Review shall be elected as provided in subsection (c) of Section 5-5 of the Property Tax Code.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-13)
Sec. 2A-13. Recorder of Deeds – Time of Election. In each county which elects a recorder, a recorder shall be elected at the general election in 1980 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 83-358.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-14)
Sec. 2A-14. County Auditor – Time of Election. The County Auditor of each county which elects a County Auditor shall be elected at the general election in 1980 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-15)
Sec. 2A-15. Circuit Clerk – Time of Election. The Clerk of the Circuit Court in each county shall be elected at the general election in 1980 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-16)
Sec. 2A-16. County Clerk – Time of Election. The County Clerk of each county shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-17)
Sec. 2A-17. Sheriff – Time of Election. The Sheriff of each county shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-18)
Sec. 2A-18. Coroner – Time of Election. In each county which elects a Coroner, the Coroner shall be elected at the general election in 1980 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-19) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-19)
Sec. 2A-19. County Treasurer – Time of Election. County Treasurers shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-416; 80-936; 80-1364.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-20) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-20)
Sec. 2A-20. Regional Superintendent of Schools – Time of Election. Except in counties or educational service regions in which that office has been abolished, the Regional Superintendents of Schools shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 87-654; 88-89.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-21) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-21)
Sec. 2A-21. State’s Attorney – Time of Election. State’s Attorneys shall be elected at the general election in 1980 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-22) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-22)
Sec. 2A-22. Cook County – Commissioner – President – Time of Election. County Commissioners and the President of the County Board of Cook County, and the Chief Executive officer in other home rule counties, shall be elected at the general election in 1978 and at the general election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-23)
Sec. 2A-23. County Board Members – Time of Election. County Board members in counties under township organization shall be elected at the general election in each even-numbered year to succeed members whose terms expire prior to the next general election.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-24) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-24)
Sec. 2A-24. County Commissioners – Non Township Counties – Time of Election. A County Commissioner shall be elected at each general election in counties not under township organization to succeed each incumbent Commissioner whose term expires before the following general election.
The Board of County Commissioners, at least 30 days before the first day for filing nomination petitions preceding each primary election in which 2 Commissioners are to be elected, may provide by resolution that candidates for such position shall each file nomination papers for and be nominated for and elected to a specific office. The resolution shall designate the positions to be filled as follows: Position A is the position now held (or vacated) by ……….. (Name of one incumbent or most recent Commissioner) and position B is the position now held (or vacated) by ………. (Name of the other incumbent or most recent Commissioner).
(Source: P.A. 82-373.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-25) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-25)
Sec. 2A-25. Chicago – Mayor – Clerk – Treasurer – Time of Election. The Mayor, a city clerk and a city treasurer of the City of Chicago shall be elected at the consolidated election in 1979 and at the consolidated election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-26) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-26)
Sec. 2A-26. Chicago Aldermen. Aldermen of the City of Chicago shall be elected at the consolidated primary election in 1979 and at the consolidated primary election every 4 years thereafter. The runoff election where necessary, pursuant to law, for Chicago aldermen shall be held at the consolidated election in 1979, and every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-27) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-27)
Sec. 2A-27. Cities generally; mayor; clerk; treasurer; time of election. A mayor, a city clerk, and a city treasurer shall be elected in each city that elects those officers (except the City of Chicago) at the consolidated election in 1979 or 1981 (in whichever of those years the terms of those officers expire) and at the consolidated election every 4 years thereafter. In cities that have provided for a 2 year term for elective officers under Section 3.1-10-65 of the Illinois Municipal Code, however, these city officers shall be elected at the consolidated election of each odd-numbered year.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-28) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-28)
Sec. 2A-28. Cities Generally – Aldermen – Time of Election. An alderman of a city other than the City of Chicago shall be elected at the consolidated or general primary election in each year to succeed each incumbent alderman whose term ends before the following consolidated or general election.
(Source: P.A. 81-1433.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-29) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-29)
Sec. 2A-29. Cities under Commission Form of Government – Commissioners and Mayor – Time of Election. A mayor and the commissioners of all municipalities which have adopted the commission form of municipal government shall be elected at the consolidated or general primary election which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of the incumbent mayor and commissioners.
(Source: P.A. 81-1433.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-30) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-30)
Sec. 2A-30. Villages and incorporated towns with population of less than 50,000; president; trustees; clerk. In villages and incorporated towns with a population of less than 50,000, a president shall be elected at the consolidated election in every other odd-numbered year when the president is elected for a 4-year term, and in each odd-numbered year when the president is elected for a 2-year term.
Except as provided in Section 2A-30a, in villages and incorporated towns with a population of less than 50,000, 3 trustees shall be elected at the consolidated election in each odd-numbered year when trustees are elected for 4-year terms, and at the consolidated election in each odd-numbered year and at the general primary election in each even-numbered year when trustees are elected for 2-year terms. A primary to nominate candidates for the office of trustee to be elected at the general primary election shall be held on the Tuesday 6 weeks preceding that election.
In villages and incorporated towns with a population of less than 50,000, a clerk shall be elected at the consolidated election in every other odd-numbered year when the clerk is elected for a 4-year term, and in each odd-numbered year when the clerk is elected for a 2-year term.
(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-30a) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-30a)
Sec. 2A-30a. Trustees in villages under 5,000; time of election. In villages of under 5,000 population that provide by resolution and referendum that the village board of trustees shall be comprised of 4 members as provided by Section 3.1-25-10 of the Illinois Municipal Code, 2 trustees shall be elected at the consolidated election in each odd-numbered year after the adoption of the resolution when trustees are elected for 4 year terms, and at the consolidated election in each odd-numbered year and at the general primary election in each even-numbered year after the adoption of the resolution when trustees are elected for 2 year terms.
(Source: P.A. 87-1119.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-31) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-31)
Sec. 2A-31. Villages over 50,000; president; trustees; clerk; time of election.

(a) In villages with a population of 50,000 or more, a president shall be elected at the consolidated election in 1979 or 1981 (in whichever of those years the term of the president expires) and every 4 years thereafter.

(b) In villages with a population of 50,000 or more, 6 trustees shall be elected at the consolidated election in 1979 or 1981 (in whichever of those years the terms of the trustees expire) and every 4 years thereafter, unless the village has provided, in accordance with Section 3.1-25-15 of the Illinois Municipal Code, to elect trustees in the manner provided for villages with a population of less than 50,000, in which case trustees shall be elected at the time prescribed in Section 2A-30 of this Act.

(c) In villages with a population of 50,000 or more, a clerk shall be elected at the consolidated election in every other odd-numbered year when the clerk is elected for a 4 year term, and in each odd-numbered year when the clerk is elected for a 2 year term.
(Source: P.A. 87-1119.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-32) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-32)
Sec. 2A-32. Incorporated Towns with Population of 50,000 or More – President – Clerk – Collector – Assessor – Supervisor – Trustee – Time of Election. In each incorporated town with a population of 50,000 or more, a president, a clerk, a collector, a supervisor and an assessor, when required, shall be elected in every incorporated town at the consolidated election in 1985 and at the consolidated election every 4 years thereafter.
A trustee shall be elected to succeed each trustee whose term expires in a particular year, such election to be held at the consolidated election in odd-numbered years.
The term of office of a trustee which expires in 1984 is extended to 1985 and the term of office of a trustee which expires in 1986 is extended to 1987.
(Source: P.A. 83-720.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-33) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-33)
Sec. 2A-33. Town – Supervisors – Trustees – Township Collectors – Township Clerks – Township Assessors – Time of Election. In each town where such officials are elected, supervisors, township trustees, township collectors, township clerks multi-township assessors and township assessors shall be elected at the consolidated election in 1981 and at the consolidated election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 81-838.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-34) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-34)
Sec. 2A-34. Highway Commissioners – Road District Clerks – Time of Election. Highway commissioners and road district clerks shall be elected at the consolidated election in 1985 and at the consolidated election every 4 years thereafter.
(Source: P.A. 81-1433.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-36) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-36)
Sec. 2A-36. Fire Protection District – Trustee – Time of Election. A trustee of a Fire Protection District which elects its trustees shall be elected at each consolidated election in odd-numbered years to succeed each incumbent trustee whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-37) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-37)
Sec. 2A-37. Library District – Trustee – Time of Election. A trustee of a Library District shall be elected, at the consolidated election in odd-numbered years which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of any incumbent trustee, to succeed each incumbent trustee whose term ends before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 81-929.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-38) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-38)
Sec. 2A-38. General Park District – Commissioners – Time of Election. A commissioner of a General Park District shall be elected at the consolidated election in odd-numbered years to succeed each incumbent commissioner whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 84-861.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-39) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-39)
Sec. 2A-39. Township Park District – Commissioner – Time of Election. A commissioner of a Township Park District shall be elected at the consolidated election of each odd-numbered year to succeed each incumbent commissioner whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-40) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-40)
Sec. 2A-40. Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago – Trustee – Time of Election. A trustee of the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago shall be elected at each general election to succeed each incumbent trustee whose term expires before the following general election.
(Source: P.A. 80-936.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-41) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-41)
Sec. 2A-41. Sanitary District – Trustee – Time of Election. A trustee of a Sanitary District which elects its trustees, other than the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago or the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District, shall be elected at the general election in each even-numbered year which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of any incumbent trustee, to succeed each incumbent trustee whose term ends before the following general election.
(Source: P.A. 101-523, eff. 8-23-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-43) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-43)
Sec. 2A-43. Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority – Commissioner – Time of Election. A commissioner of the Springfield Metropolitan Exposition and Auditorium Authority shall be elected at the consolidated election of each odd-numbered year to succeed each incumbent commissioner whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-44) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-44)
Sec. 2A-44. Board of Library Trustees – Members – Time of Election. A member of an elected Board of Library Trustees shall be elected at the consolidated election which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of an incumbent trustee, to succeed each incumbent trustee whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 84-770.)

(10 ILCS 5/2A-45) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-45)
Sec. 2A-45. Community Buildings – Board of Managers – Member – Time of Election. A member of a Board of Managers, which may have authority over township community buildings, shall be elected at the consolidated election of each odd-numbered year to succeed each incumbent manager whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-46) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-46)
Sec. 2A-46. Board of Stadium Commissioners – Commissioner – Time of election. A commissioner of a city Board of Stadium Commissioners shall be elected at each consolidated election which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of any incumbent commissioner, to succeed each incumbent commissioner whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-48) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-48)
Sec. 2A-48. Board of School Directors – Member – Time of Election. A member of a Board of School Directors or a member of an elected Board of Education, as the case may be, shall be elected at each consolidated election to succeed each incumbent member whose term ends before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-49) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-49)
Sec. 2A-49. Board of School Inspectors – Member – Time of Election. A member of a Board of School Inspectors shall be elected at the consolidated election which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of any incumbent school inspector, to succeed each incumbent school inspector whose term ends before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-50) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-50)
Sec. 2A-50. Regional Board of School Trustees – Trustee – Time of Election. Except in educational service regions having a population of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, a trustee of a Regional Board of School Trustees shall be elected at the consolidated election to succeed each incumbent trustee whose term ends before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-51) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-51)
Sec. 2A-51. Schools – Trustee – Time of Election. Except in a township in which all school districts located therein have withdrawn from the jurisdiction and authority of the trustees of schools under the provisions of subsection (b) of Section 5-1 of the School Code and except in townships in which the office of trustee of schools has been abolished as provided in subsection (c) of Section 5-1 of the School Code, a trustee of schools shall be elected in townships at the consolidated election which immediately precedes the expiration of the term of any incumbent trustee, to succeed each incumbent trustee whose term ends before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-52) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-52)
Sec. 2A-52. Community College District – Member – Time of Election. A member of the Board of a Community College District shall be elected at each consolidated election to succeed each elected incumbent member of the Board whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-53) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-53)
Sec. 2A-53. (Repealed).
(Source: Repealed by P.A. 89-5, eff. 1-1-96.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-54) (from Ch. 46, par. 2A-54)
Sec. 2A-54. In those cases in which the election to an office is changed by the consolidation of elections to an earlier or later month in the same year or to a different year, the term of any incumbent serving on December 1, 1980 is extended to the first Monday in the first month following the election of his successor and until the successor has qualified, and the term of the successor in office shall commence on that first Monday.
The term of office of a person elected at a nonpartisan election whose term begins before the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 shall expire on the date that his or her term would have expired had this amendatory Act of 1997 not been enacted. The term of office of a person elected at a consolidated election held on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1997 to succeed to a term of office of a person elected at a nonpartisan election shall begin upon the termination of the predecessor’s term of office. The term of office of a person elected to succeed to a term of office of a person elected at a nonpartisan election shall end after the next consolidated election at which a successor is elected and at the regularly scheduled time for the ending of terms of office as provided in the Act or Acts creating or governing that unit of local government or school district.
However, this general provision for the transition of terms of office in relation to the adoption of a uniform schedule of elections shall be subject to the specific provisions for the transition of terms of office in the several Acts creating or governing the creation of various units of local government and school districts, as amended.
(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/2A-55)
Sec. 2A-55. Forest preserve districts; commissioners; time of election. A forest preserve district commissioner elected under Section 3.5 of the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act shall be elected at each consolidated election to succeed each incumbent commissioner whose term expires before the following consolidated election.
(Source: P.A. 88-443.)

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Article 2B – Conduct of the 2020 General Election

(10 ILCS 5/2B-1 new)
Sec. 2B-1. Purpose. Whereas protecting the health and safety of Illinoisans is among the most important functions of State government, and whereas the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in declarations that COVID-19 presents a severe public health emergency by the World Health Organization, the United States government, and the Governor of Illinois, the General Assembly therefore declares it necessary and appropriate to make certain modifications to the administration and conduct of the elections for the November 2020 general election. The provisions of this Article are deemed necessary to protect the safety, health, and rights of the people of Illinois.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-5 new)
Sec. 2B-5. Application of Article.

(a) In addition to the provisions of this Code and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the provisions in this Article shall govern the process and procedures for the 2020 general election. The provisions of this Code shall control any aspect of the administration or conduct of the 2020 general election that is not provided for in this Article, provided that in the event of conflict between this Article and any other provision of this Code or any other law, the provisions of this Article shall control.

(b) The provisions of this Article shall apply to all election authorities, including, but not limited to, those under the jurisdiction of a Board of Election Commissioners.

(c) The provisions of this Article shall apply for the administration and conduct of the 2020 general election only and the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly shall be in effect through January 1, 2021.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-10 new)
Sec. 2B-10. Election Day State holiday. Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the contrary, November 3, 2020 shall be a State holiday known as 2020 General Election Day and shall be observed throughout the State. November 3, 2020 shall be deemed a legal school holiday for purposes of the School Code, State Universities Civil Service Act, and any other law designating a holiday. All government offices, with the exception of election authorities, shall be closed unless authorized to be used as a location for election day services or as a polling place. Any school closed pursuant to this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and Section 24-2 of the School Code shall be made available to an election authority as a polling place for 2020 General Election Day. The election authority and the school shall comply with all safety and health practices established by the Illinois Department of Public Health pursuant to subsection (a) of Section 2B-35. The election authority shall be eligible for reimbursement of such reasonable cleaning expenses incurred as a result of using a school as a polling place for 2020 General Election Day, subject to the receipt and availability of federal funds, pursuant to Section 2B-60.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-15 new)
Sec. 2B-15. Changes to vote by mail application process for
the 2020 general election.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of State law to the contrary, beginning on the effective date of this Amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any elector may by personal delivery, mail, email, or electronically on the website of the appropriate election authority make application for an
official ballot for the 2020 general election to be sent to the elector through mail. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the URL address at which an elector may electronically request a vote by mail ballot shall be fixed by each election authority no later than the effective date of this Amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. An election authority shall accept any application submitted by an elector, including, but not limited to, the application prepared by the State Board of Elections, the election authority, or any other application submitted in a form substantially similar to that required by Section 19-3, including any substantially similar production or reproduction generated by any source or the by the applicant.

(b) No later than August 1, 2020, every election authority shall mail or email an application for an official vote by mail ballot for the 2020 general election to any elector who applied to vote an official ballot, whether by mail or in person, for any of the following elections: (1) 2018 general election; (2) 2019 consolidated election; or (3) the 2020 general primary election. No later than August 1, 2020, every election authority shall mail or email an application for an official ballot for the 2020 general election to any elector who has registered to vote or changed his or her registration address after the 2020 general primary election through July 31, 2020.

(c) In addition to providing electors with the application, the election authority shall provide any notices required by law and the following: (1) notice the elector may complete the application and return it through personal delivery, mail, email, or visit the election authority’s URL to request an
official ballot; (2) notice that upon completion of the application, the elector will receive an official ballot no more than 40 days and no less than 30 days before the election; (3) an explanation that following submission of the application the elector will receive a ballot at his or her registered address or the mailing address requested by the elector, and such ballot must be completed and returned no later than election day; (4) a phone number or email address to contact the election authority if the elector does not receive an official ballot or if the elector has questions; and (5) a website or phone number the elector can use to confirm receipt of his or her official ballot. A copy of the application and the notice shall be made available on the election authority’s website.

(d) The application and notice required by this Section shall be mailed to the elector’s registered address and any other mailing address the election authority may have on file, including a mailing address to which a prior vote by mail ballot was mailed.

(10 ILCS 5/2B-20 new)
Sec. 2B-20. Changes for vote by mail official ballot
mailing and processing.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an election authority shall mail official ballots to any elector requesting an official ballot no earlier than September 24, 2020. Except for electors applying under Article 20, any elector submitting an application for a vote by mail ballot on or before October 1, 2020 shall receive a ballot no later than October 6, 2020. An election authority shall mail official ballots to any elector requesting an official ballot after October 1, 2020 no later than 2 business days after receipt of the application.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any vote by mail ballot received by an election authority shall be presumed to meet the requirements of Articles 17, 18, and 19 and the voter shall be deemed otherwise qualified to cast a vote by mail ballot unless deemed invalid as provided in this Section.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, within 2 days after a vote by mail ballot is received, but in all cases before the close of the period for counting provisional ballots, the election authority shall appoint panels as needed of 3 election judges, of which no more than 2 shall be from the same political party, from the list of election judges submitted by the county parties for this specific purpose to compare the voter’s signature on the certification envelope of the vote by mail ballot with the signature of the voter on file in the office of the election authority. The signature shall be presumed to match unless 3 out of 3 election judges determine that the 2 signatures do not match. A vote by mail ballot may only be rejected by a vote of 3 of 3 election judges and only for the following reasons: (1) the signature on the certification envelope and the signature used by the election authority for verification purposes do not match or the certification envelope contains no signature; (2) the ballot envelope was delivered opened; (3) the voter has
already cast a ballot; (4) if the voter voted in person on election day; or (5) the voter is not a duly registered voter in the precinct. If 3 of 3 election judges determine the ballot should be rejected for any reasons stated in this subsection (c), the judges shall mark across the face of the certification
envelope the word “rejected” and the date and names of the judges voting to reject the ballot.

(d) If a vote by mail ballot is rejected, the election authority shall notify the voter within 2 days after the rejection or within one day if the rejection occurs after election day and in all cases before the close of the period for counting provisional ballots. The voter shall be notified through mail or email, or both, and the notice shall inform the voter of the reason or reasons the ballot was rejected. If the ballot was rejected based on the signature or lack of a signature, the voter shall be permitted to submit a statement the voter cast the ballot, and upon receipt the ballot shall be determined valid and counted before the close of the period for counting provisional ballots. If the ballot was rejected because the envelope was delivered opened, the voter shall be
permitted to vote in person or request to receive another vote by mail ballot, provided the voter submits an application and casts a new ballot prior to the close of polls on election day.

(e) Election authorities shall accept any vote by mail ballot returned, including ballots returned with insufficient or no postage, and may establish secure collection sites for the postage-free return of vote by mail ballots. Any election authority establishing such a collection site pursuant to this subsection (c) shall collect all ballots submitted each day at close of business and process them as required by this Code, including noting the day on which the ballot was submitted. Ballots submitted to such collection sites after close of business shall be dated as delivered the next day, with the exception of ballots delivered on election day, which shall be dated as received on election day. Election authorities shall permit electors to return vote by mail ballots on election day
up until the close of the polls.

(f) In accordance with Section 19-7, within one day after receipt of a vote by mail ballot, the election authority shall transmit notification of receipt to the State Board of Elections. If a vote by mail ballot is rejected, the election authority must notify the State Board of Elections within one day. Upon request by a state or local political committee, within 2 days an election authority must electronically provide the names and addresses of any vote by mail ballots received and any vote by mail ballots marked rejected.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-25 new)
Sec. 2B-25. Changes for first time registrants or change of
address registrations.

(a) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, any person completing a voter registration application or submitting a change of address shall be notified of the option to receive a vote by mail ballot. Upon request of the elector, the registration shall serve as an application to receive an official vote by mail ballot and the individual need not complete an application. Upon processing the registration, the election authority shall provide the individual with an official ballot.

(b) Upon request of the registrant, an election authority shall accept a completed voter registration form as a valid application and mail the elector an official ballot.

(c) Any person whose registration is incomplete or pending may provide any required documentation online or in person to the election authority prior to applying to vote in order to complete his or her registration.

(d) This Section shall not apply to an application processed pursuant to Section 1A-16.1 or an individual registering to vote in person at an election authority or an early voting site if the elector has the option and chooses to exercise the option to vote in person at the time of registration or in his or her precinct on election day.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-30 new)
Sec. 2B-30. Public dissemination of information prior to
the 2020 general election.

(a) Beginning on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly through October 30, 2020, all election authorities shall include information about registering to vote and encouraging electors to vote by mail or during early voting with any pamphlet, brochure, flyer, or newsletter related to the 2020 General Election. Any such documents shall substantially include the following, “Due to COVID-19, all 2020 General Election voters are encouraged to cast a ballot prior to Election Day, either by mail or during early voting. Voting by mail is an easy option for voters and you can request a vote by mail ballot through email, mail, or in person. An application is available from your local election authority or at https://elections.il.gov/electionoperations/VotingByMail.aspx. To register to vote or check your registration status, visit https://ova.elections.il.gov.”.

(b) The Secretary of State shall include in any pamphlet or materials produced in accordance with the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act the following language, “Due to COVID-19, all 2020 General Election voters are encouraged to cast a ballot prior to Election Day, either by mail or during early voting. Voting by mail is an easy option for voters and you can request a vote by mail ballot through email, mail, or in person. An application is available from your local election authority or at https://elections.il.gov/electionoperations/VotingByMail.aspx. To register to vote or check your registration status, visit https://ova.elections.il.gov.”.

(c) No later than September 15, 2020, the Secretary of State shall send a notice to any elector who received an application but has not yet applied for a vote by mail ballot. The list of electors to receive the notification shall be provided by the State Board of Elections. The notice shall include, at a minimum: (1) notice that the elector previously received correspondence from the applicable election authority with information on how to apply for a vote by mail ballot, that the election authority has indicated the elector has not yet applied for a ballot, and the elector still has time to request a vote by mail ballot; and (2) a reference to a phone number, email address, and website the elector can visit to complete an application, return an application, or get additional information about vote by mail.

(d) No later than October 15, 2020, the Secretary of State shall send a notice to any elector who received the notice required in subsection (c) but has not yet applied for a vote by mail ballot. The notice shall include, at a minimum: (1) a statement that the elector has time to request a vote by mail ballot; and (2) a reference to a phone number, email address, and website the elector can visit to complete an application, return an application, or get additional information about vote by mail.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-35 new)
Sec. 2B-35. Early voting and election day requirements.

(a) Election authorities shall comply with any early voting and election day safety and health practices established in written guidance provided to the election authorities by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

(b) Election authorities may establish curb-side voting for individuals to cast a ballot during early voting or on election day. A curb-side voting program shall designate at least 2 election judges from opposite parties per vehicle and the individual must have the option to mark the ballot without interference from the election judges.

(c) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, election authorities shall establish one location to be located at an office of the election authority or in the largest municipality within its jurisdiction where all voters in its jurisdiction are allowed to vote on election day during polling place hours, regardless of the precinct in which they are registered. An election authority establishing such a location pursuant to this subsection (c) shall identify the location, hours of operation, and health and safety requirements by the 40th day preceding 2020 General Election Day and certify such to the State Board of Election.

(d) In addition to the requirements of Section 19A-15, beginning the 15th day preceding 2020 General Election Day, all permanent polling places for early voting shall remain open during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Election authorities may establish early voting hours in addition to those required by this subsection (d) to accommodate voters to whom COVID-19 presents increased health risks, including, but not limited to, the administration of a curb-side voting program established by the election authority pursuant to this Section.

(e) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a provisional ballot cast under item (7) of subsection (a) of Section 18A-5 shall be deemed valid and counted as a vote if the voter provides the election authority with the necessary documentation within 14 days of election day.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-40 new)
Sec. 2B-40. Judges of election.

(a) All laws and rules regarding the provisions of election judges shall be in effect for the 2020 general election, provided that notwithstanding any law to the contrary, any individual may be appointed to serve as an election judge if, as of the date of the election at which the person serves as judge, he or she has attained the age of 16.
Prior to appointment, a judge qualifying under this subsection (a) must certify in writing to the election authority the political party the judge chooses to affiliate with.

(b) All public and private secondary schools, community colleges, and universities shall publish notification on their publicly accessible websites and notify their students of the opportunity to serve as an election judge for the 2020 general election and the qualifications provided in subsection (a).

(c) The Department of Employment Security shall publish notification on its publicly accessible website that anyone receiving unemployment insurance may apply to serve as an election judge for the 2020 general election and the qualifications provided in subsection (a).

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, counties having a population of less than 250,000 pursuant to the 2010 U.S. Census, may appoint 3 judges of election to serve in lieu of the 5 judges of election required by this Code for the 2020 general election, unless such judges of election are appointed by election commissioners.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-45 new)
Sec. 2B-45. Electronic service of objections. Election authorities may authorize service of objections to candidate nominations through electronic mail in lieu of personal service if the election authority responsible for convening the electoral board:

(1) requires candidates to provide an electronic mail address where notices of objections and electoral board proceedings may be sent electronically in lieu of personal service;

(2) requires objectors to provide an electronic mail address where notices and electoral board proceedings may be sent electronically in lieu of personal service; and

(3) publishes notice of its decision to utilize this Section on its website within 5 business days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-50 new)
Sec. 2B-50. Additional duties of election authorities.

(a) Each election authority shall comply with the requirements of Section 2B-15. Each election authority shall provide the following to the State Board of Elections as it relates to Section 2B-15: (1), no later than August 2, 2020, each election authority shall provide to the State Board of Elections written confirmation that the election authority complied with subsections (b), (c), and (d) of Section 2B-15 and provide an electronic list of the names and addresses of every elector sent the required application and notice; (2) no later than September 2, 2020, each election authority shall provide the State Board of Elections with an electronic list of the names and addresses of every elector sent the required application and notice who has submitted the application and will receive an official ballot; and (3) no later than October 2, 2020, each election authority shall provide the State Board of Elections with an updated list of the names and addresses of every elector sent the required application and notice who has submitted the application and will receive an official ballot. Any list submitted to the State Board of Elections shall be accessible to State and local political candidates and committees.

(b) No later than 75 days prior to the 2020 general election, each election authority shall provide public notice of its services and equipment available to assist elderly voters and voters with disabilities. The notice shall include, but is not limited to, the availability of vote by mail ballots in braille and large format, assistance in marking the ballot, procedures for voting by vote by mail ballot, and procedures for voting early by personal appearance.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-55 new)
Sec. 2B-55. Additional duties of the State Board of
Elections.

(a) No later than 2 business days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall post on its official website an application for an official vote by mail ballot for the 2020 general election. The application shall be available at https://elections.il.gov/ electionoperations/VotingByMail.aspx. Any applications received by the State Board of Elections shall be transmitted within 2 business days of receipt to the appropriate election authority.

(b) Within 5 business days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall modify the online voter registration system to allow any new registrant to apply for a vote by mail ballot when completing online voter registration. Any new registrant that requests a vote by mail ballot when registering shall be eligible to request and receive a vote by mail ballot for the 2020 general election without submitting an additional application.

(c) Within 10 business days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall provide notice to all election authorities of the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly and the actions each election authority must take to comply with this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. A copy of this notice shall be made available on the State Board of Election’s official website.

(d) The State Board of Elections shall transmit to the Secretary of State, in the format requested by the Secretary of State, a complete list of the names and addresses submitted to the State Board of Elections by the election authorities in accordance with subsection (a) of Section 2B-50. The first transmission shall be sent no later than September 5, 2020 and the second transmission no later than October 5, 2020. Upon request, the lists shall also be made available by the State Board of Elections to State and local political committees and candidates upon request.

(e) Except as provided in this Article, the State Board of Elections does not need to adopt rules to administer or enforce the duties and requirements set forth in this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly but may adopt such emergency rules if deemed necessary by the State Board of Elections. The absence of rules or emergency rules does not eliminate or reduce the rights, duties, or responsibilities set forth in this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-60 new)
Sec. 2B-60. Reimbursement for 2020 general election
expenses.

(a) Each election authority shall comply with the requirements of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly. The State Board of Elections may withhold any reimbursements for election related costs if an election authority is found to have failed to comply with the provisions of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly.

(b) Subject to receipt and availability of federal funds, the State Board of Elections may adopt emergency rules subject to the provisions of Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to establish a program to provide reimbursement to election authorities for expenses related to the 2020 general election incurred as a result of COVID-19 and the requirements of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly that are deemed necessary for the safety of the public and in response to COVID-19.

 

(10 ILCS 5/2B-90 new)
Sec. 2B-90. Repeal. This Article shall repeal on January 1, 2021.

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Article 3 – Qualification of Voters

(10 ILCS 5/3-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 3-1)
Sec. 3-1. Every person (i) who has resided in this State and in the election district 30 days next preceding any election therein, or (ii) who has resided in and is registered to vote from the election district 30 days next preceding any election therein and has moved to another election district in this State within said 30 days and has made and subscribed to the affidavit provided in paragraph (b) of Section 17-10 of this Act, or (iii) who has resided in and is registered to vote from the election district 30 days next preceding any election therein and has not moved to another residence but whose address has changed as a result of implementation of a 9-1-1 emergency telephone system and has made and subscribed to the affidavit provided in subsection (a) of Section 17-10, and who is a citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 or more years is entitled to vote at such election for all offices and on all propositions. Any military establishment within the boundaries of Illinois is “in this State” even though the government of the United States may have exclusive jurisdiction over such establishment.
(Source: P.A. 90-664, eff. 7-30-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/3-1.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 3-1.2)
Sec. 3-1.2. Eligibility to sign petition. For the purpose of determining eligibility to sign a nominating petition or a petition proposing a public question the terms “voter”, “registered voter”, “qualified voter”, “legal voter”, “elector”, “qualified elector”, “primary elector” and “qualified primary elector” as used in this Code or in another Statute shall mean a person who is registered to vote at the address shown opposite his signature on the petition or was registered to vote at such address when he signed the petition. Any person, otherwise qualified under this Section, who has not moved to another residence but whose address has changed as a result of implementation of a 9-1-1 emergency telephone system shall be considered a “voter”, “registered voter”, “qualified voter”, “legal voter”, “elector”, “qualified elector”, “primary elector”, and “qualified primary elector”.
(Source: P.A. 91-57, eff. 6-30-99; 92-129, eff. 7-20-01.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/3-1.3) (from Ch. 46, par. 3-1.3)
Sec. 3-1.3. Whenever this Code or another statute requires that a nominating petition or a petition proposing a public question shall be signed by a specified percentage of the registered voters of the State, a political subdivision or district or precinct or combination of precincts, the total number of voters to which the percentage is applied shall be the number of voters who are registered in the State, political subdivision or district or precinct or combination of precincts, as the case may be, on the date registration closed before the regular election next preceding the last day on which such petition may be filed in accordance with the general election law. This Section does not apply to the determination of the number of signatures required on a petition filed pursuant to Article IX of the Liquor Control Act of 1934.
(Source: P.A. 84-1467.)

(10 ILCS 5/3-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 3-2)
Sec. 3-2. (a) A permanent abode is necessary to constitute a residence within the meaning of Section 3-1. No elector or spouse shall be deemed to have lost his or her residence in any precinct or election district in this State by reason of his or her absence on business of the United States, or of this State. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prevent homeless individuals from registering to vote under the provisions of this Act.

(b) A homeless individual must have a mailing address in order to be eligible to register to vote. For purposes of this Act, a mailing address shall constitute a homeless individual’s residence for voting purposes. A mailing address of a homeless individual may include, but is not limited to, a shelter, a day shelter, or a private residence.
Election authorities may by reasonable rules limit the place where voter registration of homeless individuals may be taken and the class of deputy registrars who may take the voter registration of homeless individuals.

(c) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to confer upon homeless individuals any additional privileges or benefits other than the right to register to vote and to be qualified to vote in an election under Articles 4, 5, and 6 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 87-1241.)

(10 ILCS 5/3-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 3-3)
Sec. 3-3. Every honorably discharged soldier or sailor who is an inmate of any soldiers’ and sailors’ home within the State of Illinois, any person who is a resident of a facility licensed or certified pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, or any person who is a resident of a community-integrated living arrangement, as defined in Section 3 of the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act, for 30 days or longer, and who is a citizen of the United States and has resided in this State and in the election district 30 days next preceding any election shall be entitled to vote in the election district in which any such home or community-integrated living arrangement in which he is an inmate or resident is located, for all officers that now are or hereafter may be elected by the people, and upon all questions that may be submitted to the vote of the people: Provided, that he shall declare upon oath, that it was his bona fide intention at the time he entered said home or community-integrated living arrangement to become a resident thereof.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/3-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 3-4)
Sec. 3-4. No patient who has resided for less than 180 days in any hospital or mental institution in this State shall by virtue of his abode at such hospital or mental institution be deemed a resident or legal voter in the town, city, village or election district or precinct in which such hospital or mental institution may be situated; but every such person shall be deemed a resident of the town, city, village or election district or precinct in which he resided next prior to becoming a patient of such hospital or mental institution. However, the term “hospital” does not include skilled nursing facilities.
(Source: P.A. 100-1110, eff. 8-28-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/3-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 3-5)
Sec. 3-5. No person who has been legally convicted, in this or another state or in any federal court, of any crime, and is serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution, or who has been convicted under any Section of this Code and is serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution, shall vote, offer to vote, attempt to vote or be permitted to vote at any election until his release from confinement.
Confinement for purposes of this Section shall include any person convicted and imprisoned but granted a furlough as provided by Section 3-11-1 of the Unified Code of Corrections, or admitted to a work release program as provided by Section 3-13-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections. Confinement shall not include any person convicted and imprisoned but released on parole.
Confinement or detention in a jail pending acquittal or conviction of a crime is not a disqualification for voting.
(Source: P.A. 100-863, eff. 8-14-18.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/3-6)
Sec. 3-6. Voting age. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is 17 years old on the date of a caucus, general primary election, or consolidated primary election and who is otherwise qualified to vote is qualified to vote at that caucus, general primary, or consolidated primary, including voting a vote by mail, grace period, or early voting ballot with respect to that general primary or consolidated primary, if that person will be 18 years old on the date of the immediately following general election or consolidated election for which candidates are nominated at that primary.
References in this Code and elsewhere to the requirement that a person must be 18 years old to vote shall be interpreted in accordance with this Section.
For the purposes of this Code, an individual who is 17 years of age and who will be 18 years of age on the date of the general or consolidated election shall be deemed competent to execute and attest to any voter registration forms. An individual who is 17 years of age, will be 18 years of age on the date of the immediately following general or consolidated election, and is otherwise qualified to vote shall be deemed eligible to circulate a nominating petition or a petition proposing a public question.
(Source: P.A. 99-722, eff. 8-5-16; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/3-7)
Sec. 3-7. Voters in consolidating and merging townships.
(a) In the consolidated election where township trustees are elected next following the certification of a successful referendum to consolidate townships under Article 22 of the Township Code, the qualified electors entitled to caucus, vote for, be nominated for, and run for offices in the consolidated township that is to be formed are those registered voters residing in any of the townships identified in the referendum as they exist prior to consolidation.

(b) In the consolidated election where township trustees are elected next following the certification of a successful referendum to dissolve a township and merge its territory into 2 adjacent townships under Article 23 of the Township Code, the qualified electors entitled to caucus, vote for, be nominated for, and run for offices in a receiving township shall also include those registered voters residing in the territory of the dissolving township described in the resolutions adopted under Section 23-10 of the Township Code as the territory to be merged with the receiving township. For purposes of this subsection (b) only, “dissolving township” and “receiving township” have the meaning provided in Section 23-5 of the Township Code.
(Source: P.A. 100-107, eff. 1-1-18.)

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Article 4 – Registration of Electors in Counties Having a Population of Less Than 500,000

(10 ILCS 5/4-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-1)
Sec. 4-1. Except as provided in this Article 4, it is unlawful for any person residing in a county containing a population of less than 500,000, to vote at any election at which any officers are to be nominated or elected, or at any election at which any questions of public policy are to be voted on, unless such person is at the time of such election a registered voter under the provisions of this Article 4.
The provisions of this Article do not apply to electors voting in an election of any soil and water conservation district or drainage district or to electors residing in municipalities in this State which have adopted “An Act regulating the holding of elections and declaring the result thereof in cities, villages and incorporated towns in this State”, approved June 19, 1885, as amended, or which have adopted Articles 6, 14 and 18 of this Act. This Article shall not apply to electors voting pursuant to Article 20 of this Act.
The provisions of this Article 4, so far as they require the registration of voters as a condition to their being allowed to vote shall not apply to persons otherwise entitled to vote who have made and subscribed to the affidavit provided in paragraph (b) of Section 17-10 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 81-1060.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-2)
Sec. 4-2. No person shall be entitled to be registered in and from any precinct unless such person shall by the date of the election next following have resided in the State and within the precinct 30 days and be otherwise qualified to vote at such election. Every applicant who shall be 18 years of age or over on the day of the next election shall be permitted to register, if otherwise qualified.
To constitute residence under this Act, Article 3 is controlling.
(Source: P.A. 81-953.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-3)
Sec. 4-3. The county board shall appoint the place of registry in each precinct for any precinct re-registration of 1969 and 1970 under this Article 4 and for all precinct registrations. Such place or places shall be in the most public, orderly and convenient portions thereof; and no building or part of a building shall be designated or used as a place of registry, in which spirituous or intoxicating liquor is sold or which is used as political headquarters for any party, candidate or office holder. The county clerk may demand of the chief of police of each city, village or incorporated town, or the sheriff, to furnish officers of the law to attend during the progress of any registration at any place or places of registration designated by the county board.
(Source: Laws 1968, p. 570.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-4)
Sec. 4-4. The county clerk shall be ex officio the registration officer of such county and shall have full charge and control of the registration of voters within such county, where this Article 4 is in effect.
For the 3 days of any 1969 and 1970 re-registration and for precinct registrations hereinafter provided, 2 of the judges of election, no more than one from the same political party, theretofore duly appointed and confirmed as such and acting in each precinct, shall be designated by the county clerk to constitute a board of registration for each precinct, respectively, and each of such judges of election so designated shall serve as a judge of registration therein.
In counties over 1,000,000 population town or road district clerks, city or village clerks, their duly authorized deputies approved by the county clerk, and employees of the office of the county clerk may be appointed by the county clerk as deputy registration officers.
Such clerks appointed as deputy registration officers may accept registration of voters at their offices at any time that such registrations may be accepted by the county clerk, but shall not accept such registrations at any other place. Such deputy registration officers shall return any registrations accepted by them to the county clerk within 7 days after any registration is accepted by them.
Registration officers, deputy registration officers and judges of registration shall be officers of the court and the provisions of the laws of this State as to vacancies, removal and control (except as hereinafter provided), and punishment in case of misbehavior of judges of election shall apply to such registration officials.
Each registration officer including officers and judges of registration shall before entering upon his duties take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of registration officer to the best of my ability, and that I will register no person nor cause the registration of any person except upon his personal application before me.
…………………………………
(Signature of Registration Officer)”

This oath shall be administered by the county clerk, or by one of his deputies, or by any person qualified to take acknowledgments and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the county clerk, except that judges of registration may administer such oath or affirmation to each other and such oath of office and all affidavits which have been signed and sworn to before them shall be returned to the office of the county clerk in an envelope provided for that purpose.
No registration official for a precinct or other place of registration shall, without urgent necessity, absent himself from the place of registration or revision of registration upon any day of registration or revision of registration whereby less than the number of persons necessary to conduct the registration or revision of registration shall be present during such hours of registration or revision of registration.
(Source: Laws 1968, p. 572.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-5)
Sec. 4-5. The registration preceding the November, 1942, election shall constitute a permanent registration subject to revision and alteration in the manner hereinafter provided; and all registrations subsequent thereto shall be upon registration record cards provided by the county clerk. However, if the county board, by resolution adopted before October 15, 1969, determines that there shall be a re-registration in the county before the June, 1970, primary as provided in this Article, such 1942 registration shall be a permanent registration only until such re-registration as provided in Section 4-5.01.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 2987.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-5.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-5.01)
Sec. 4-5.01. Where the county board determines, as provided in Section 4-5, that there shall be a re-registration before the June, 1970, primary, there shall, subject to the provisions of Section 4-6, be 3 days of re-registration in each precinct. The first of such 3 days of re-registration shall be Friday, November 21, 1969; the second, Friday, December 19, 1969; and the third, Tuesday, January 15, 1970. On each of the 3 days of re-registration, the registration place or places shall open at 8:00 a.m. and remain open until 9:00 p.m.
Re-registration provided by this Article 4 shall be conducted by the county clerk, shall be at the office of such clerk or in the precinct or in the offices of the respective deputy registration officers appointed by the county clerk as hereinabove in this Article provided, and shall be upon registration record cards in the manner provided by this Article. Such re-registration shall constitute a permanent registration subject to revision and alteration in the manner hereinafter provided. All registrations shall be on registration record cards provided by the county clerk in accordance with the provisions of this Article 4.
Immediately following the last day of precinct re-registration in 1970, all permanent registration records compiled before November 21, 1969, shall be destroyed if no election contest is pending in which such records are material.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 2987.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-6)
Sec. 4-6. For the purpose of registering voters under this Article in addition to the method provided for precinct registration under Section 4-7, the office of the county clerk shall be open every day, except Saturday, Sunday, and legal holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Saturdays the hours of registration shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and such additional hours as the county clerk may designate. If, however, the county board otherwise duly regulates and fixes the hours of opening and closing of all county offices at the county seat of any county, such regulation shall control and supersede the hours herein specified. There shall be no registration at the office of the county clerk or at the office of municipal and township or road district clerks serving as deputy registrars during the 27 days preceding any regular or special election at which the cards provided in this Article are used, or until the 2nd day following such regular or special election; provided, that if by reason of the proximity of any such elections to one another the effect of this provision would be to close registrations for all or any part of the 10 days immediately prior to such 27 day period, the county clerk shall accept, solely for use in the subsequent and not in any intervening election, registrations and transfers of registration within the period from the 27th to the 38th days, both inclusive, prior to such subsequent election. In any election called for the submission of the revision or alteration of, or the amendments to the Constitution, submitted by a Constitutional Convention, the final day for registration at the office of the election authority charged with the printing of the ballot of this election shall be the 15th day prior to the date of election.
Any qualified person residing within the county or any portion thereof subject to this Article may register or re-register with the county clerk.
Each county clerk shall appoint one or more registration or re-registration teams for the purpose of accepting the registration or re-registration of any voter who files an affidavit that he is physically unable to appear at any appointed place of registration or re-registration. Each team shall consist of one member of each political party having the highest and second highest number of registered voters in the county. The county clerk shall designate a team to visit each person with a disability and shall accept the registration or re-registration of each such person as if he had applied for registration or re-registration at the office of the county clerk.
As used in this Article, “deputy registrars” and “registration officers” mean any person authorized to accept registrations of electors under this Article.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-6.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-6.1)
Sec. 4-6.1. In addition to registration at the office of the county clerk, and at the offices of municipal and township or road district clerks, each county clerk shall provide for the following additional methods of registration:

(1) the appointment of deputy registrars as provided in Section 4-6.2; and

(2) the establishment of temporary places of registration, as provided in Section 4-6.3.
Each county clerk may provide for precinct registration pursuant to Section 4-7.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-6.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-6.2)
Sec. 4-6.2. (a) The county clerk shall appoint all municipal and township or road district clerks or their duly authorized deputies as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of all qualified residents of the State.
The county clerk shall appoint all precinct committeepersons in the county as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State, except during the 27 days preceding an election.
The county clerk shall appoint each of the following named persons as deputy registrars upon the written request of such persons:

1. The chief librarian, or a qualified person designated by the chief librarian, of any public library situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State, at such library.

2. The principal, or a qualified person designated by the principal, of any high school, elementary school, or vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State, at such school. The county clerk shall notify every principal and vice-principal of each high school, elementary school, and vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction of their eligibility to serve as deputy registrars and offer training courses for service as deputy registrars at conveniently located facilities at least 4 months prior to every election.

3. The president, or a qualified person designated by the president, of any university, college, community college, academy or other institution of learning situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State, at such university, college, community college, academy or institution.

4. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide labor organization, or a reasonable number of qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State.

5. A duly elected or appointed official of a bonafide State civic organization, as defined and determined by rule of the State Board of Elections, or qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State. In determining the number of deputy registrars that shall be appointed, the county clerk shall consider the population of the jurisdiction, the size of the organization, the geographic size of the jurisdiction, convenience for the public, the existing number of deputy registrars in the jurisdiction and their location, the registration activities of the organization and the need to appoint deputy registrars to assist and facilitate the registration of non-English speaking individuals. In no event shall a county clerk fix an arbitrary number applicable to every civic organization requesting appointment of its members as deputy registrars. The State Board of Elections shall by rule provide for certification of bonafide State civic organizations. Such appointments shall be made for a period not to exceed 2 years, terminating on the first business day of the month following the month of the general election, and shall be valid for all periods of voter registration as provided by this Code during the terms of such appointments.

6. The Director of Healthcare and Family Services, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at public aid offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such public aid office.

7. The Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at unemployment offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such unemployment office.

8. The president of any corporation as defined by the Business Corporation Act of 1983, or a reasonable number of employees designated by such president, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State.
If the request to be appointed as deputy registrar is denied, the county clerk shall, within 10 days after the date the request is submitted, provide the affected individual or organization with written notice setting forth the specific reasons or criteria relied upon to deny the request to be appointed as deputy registrar.
The county clerk may appoint as many additional deputy registrars as he considers necessary. The county clerk shall appoint such additional deputy registrars in such manner that the convenience of the public is served, giving due consideration to both population concentration and area. Some of the additional deputy registrars shall be selected so that there are an equal number from each of the 2 major political parties in the election jurisdiction. The county clerk, in appointing an additional deputy registrar, shall make the appointment from a list of applicants submitted by the Chair of the County Central Committee of the applicant’s political party. A Chair of a County Central Committee shall submit a list of applicants to the county clerk by November 30 of each year. The county clerk may require a Chair of a County Central Committee to furnish a supplemental list of applicants.
Deputy registrars may accept registrations at any time other than the 27 day period preceding an election. All persons appointed as deputy registrars shall be registered voters within the county and shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of deputy registrar to the best of my ability and that I will register no person nor cause the registration of any person except upon his personal application before me.
……………………….
(Signature Deputy Registrar)”
This oath shall be administered by the county clerk, or by one of his deputies, or by any person qualified to take acknowledgement of deeds and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the county clerk.
Appointments of deputy registrars under this Section, except precinct committeepersons, shall be for 2-year terms, commencing on December 1 following the general election of each even-numbered year; except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be until December 1st following the next general election. Appointments of precinct committeepersons shall be for 2-year terms commencing on the date of the county convention following the general primary at which they were elected. The county clerk shall issue a certificate of appointment to each deputy registrar, and shall maintain in his office for public inspection a list of the names of all appointees.

(b) The county clerk shall be responsible for training all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a), at times and locations reasonably convenient for both the county clerk and such appointees. The county clerk shall be responsible for certifying and supervising all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a). Deputy registrars appointed under subsection (a) shall be subject to removal for cause.

(c) Completed registration materials under the control of deputy registrars, appointed pursuant to subsection (a), shall be returned to the appointing election authority by first-class mail within 2 business days or personal delivery within 7 days, except that completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars during the period between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the appointing election authority within 48 hours after receipt thereof. The completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars on the 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars within 24 hours after receipt thereof. Unused materials shall be returned by deputy registrars appointed pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection (a), not later than the next working day following the close of registration.

(d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must provide any additional forms requested by any deputy registrar regardless of the number of unaccounted registration forms the deputy registrar may have in his or her possession.

(e) No deputy registrar shall engage in any electioneering or the promotion of any cause during the performance of his or her duties.

(f) The county clerk shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the acts or omissions of any deputy registrar. Such deputy registrars shall not be deemed to be employees of the county clerk.

(g) Completed registration materials returned by deputy registrars for persons residing outside the county shall be transmitted by the county clerk within 2 days after receipt to the election authority of the person’s election jurisdiction of residence.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-6.3) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-6.3)
Sec. 4-6.3. The county clerk may establish a temporary place of registration for such times and at such locations within the county as the county clerk may select. Notice of the time and place of registration under this Section shall be published by the county clerk in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county not less than 3 nor more than 15 days before the holding of such registration.
Temporary places of registration shall be established so that the areas of concentration of population or use by the public are served, whether by facilities provided in places of private business or in public buildings or in mobile units. Areas which may be designated as temporary places of registration include, but are not limited to, facilities licensed or certified pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Homes, shopping centers, business districts, public buildings and county fairs.
Temporary places of registration shall be available to the public not less than 2 hours per year for each 1,000 population or fraction thereof in the county.
All temporary places of registration shall be manned by deputy county clerks or deputy registrars appointed pursuant to Section 4-6.2.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-7)
Sec. 4-7. In counties having a re-registration in 1969 and 1970, there shall be 3 days of precinct re-registration in each precinct. The first of such 3 days shall be Friday, November 21, 1969; the second, Friday, December 19, 1969; and the third, Tuesday, January 15, 1970. In all counties over 1,000,000 population, or in counties under 1,000,000 population if the county clerk determines to have precinct registration in the county pursuant to Section 4-6.1 there shall be one day of precinct registration preceding each regular election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of even numbered years, on Saturday preceding the Tuesday 6 weeks preceding the election. The county board shall have authority to designate 2 days of registration in each precinct, in which event the second day of precinct registration shall be 29 days before such election. On each day of registration, the registration places shall be opened at noon and remain open until 9:00 P.M. The provisions of Section 4-3 of this Article shall apply to the selection of places of registration or re-registration under this Section.
At least 20 days prior to a precinct registration or re-registration, the county clerk shall publish a notice of registration or re-registration, giving the dates, hours and places of registration or re-registration, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county, if there is one, or otherwise in a newspaper of general circulation in such county.
The election authorities shall issue credentials to registration day pollwatchers in the manner and on the terms prescribed in Section 17-23 with respect to pollwatchers at elections. Registration day pollwatchers shall be allowed to see the names and addresses of the people who have registered during the course of the day.
No person shall, at any precinct registration or reregistration, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any precinct registration place or within 30 feet thereof. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any candidate from being present in or near any precinct registration place. All persons who register to vote at any precinct registration place must be residents of the precinct in which they register.
(Source: P.A. 81-1535.)

(10 ILCS 5/4-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-8)
Sec. 4-8. The county clerk shall provide a sufficient number of blank forms for the registration of electors, which shall be known as registration record cards and which shall consist of loose leaf sheets or cards, of suitable size to contain in plain writing and figures the data hereinafter required thereon or shall consist of computer cards of suitable nature to contain the data required thereon. The registration record cards, which shall include an affidavit of registration as hereinafter provided, shall be executed in duplicate.
The registration record card shall contain the following and such other information as the county clerk may think it proper to require for the identification of the applicant for registration:
Name. The name of the applicant, giving surname and first or Christian name in full, and the middle name or the initial for such middle name, if any.
Sex.
Residence. The name and number of the street, avenue, or other location of the dwelling, including the apartment, unit or room number, if any, and in the case of a mobile home the lot number, and such additional clear and definite description as may be necessary to determine the exact location of the dwelling of the applicant. Where the location cannot be determined by street and number, then the section, congressional township and range number may be used, or such other description as may be necessary, including post-office mailing address. In the case of a homeless individual, the individual’s voting residence that is his or her mailing address shall be included on his or her registration record card.
Term of residence in the State of Illinois and precinct. This information shall be furnished by the applicant stating the place or places where he resided and the dates during which he resided in such place or places during the year next preceding the date of the next ensuing election.
Nativity. The state or country in which the applicant was born.
Citizenship. Whether the applicant is native born or naturalized. If naturalized, the court, place, and date of naturalization.
Date of application for registration, i.e., the day, month and year when applicant presented himself for registration.
Age. Date of birth, by month, day and year.
Physical disability of the applicant, if any, at the time of registration, which would require assistance in voting.
The county and state in which the applicant was last registered.
Electronic mail address, if any.
Signature of voter. The applicant, after the registration and in the presence of a deputy registrar or other officer of registration shall be required to sign his or her name in ink or digitized form to the affidavit on both the original and duplicate registration record cards.
Signature of deputy registrar or officer of registration.
In case applicant is unable to sign his name, he may affix his mark to the affidavit. In such case the officer empowered to give the registration oath shall write a detailed description of the applicant in the space provided on the back or at the bottom of the card or sheet; and shall ask the following questions and record the answers thereto:
Father’s first name.
Mother’s first name.
From what address did the applicant last register?
Reason for inability to sign name.
Each applicant for registration shall make an affidavit in substantially the following form:
AFFIDAVIT OF REGISTRATION
STATE OF ILLINOIS
COUNTY OF …….
I hereby swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States; that on the date of the next election I shall have resided in the State of Illinois and in the election precinct in which I reside 30 days and that I intend that this location shall be my residence; that I am fully qualified to vote, and that the above statements are true.
…………………………
(His or her signature or mark)
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
…………………………….
Signature of registration officer.
(To be signed in presence of registrant.)

Space shall be provided upon the face of each registration record card for the notation of the voting record of the person registered thereon.
Each registration record card shall be numbered according to precincts, and may be serially or otherwise marked for identification in such manner as the county clerk may determine.
The registration cards shall be deemed public records and shall be open to inspection during regular business hours, except during the 27 days immediately preceding any election. On written request of any candidate or objector or any person intending to object to a petition, the election authority shall extend its hours for inspection of registration cards and other records of the election authority during the period beginning with the filing of petitions under Sections 7-10, 8-8, 10-6 or 28-3 and continuing through the termination of electoral board hearings on any objections to petitions containing signatures of registered voters in the jurisdiction of the election authority. The extension shall be for a period of hours sufficient to allow adequate opportunity for examination of the records but the election authority is not required to extend its hours beyond the period beginning at its normal opening for business and ending at midnight. If the business hours are so extended, the election authority shall post a public notice of such extended hours. Registration record cards may also be inspected, upon approval of the officer in charge of the cards, during the 27 days immediately preceding any election. Registration record cards shall also be open to inspection by certified judges and poll watchers and challengers at the polling place on election day, but only to the extent necessary to determine the question of the right of a person to vote or to serve as a judge of election. At no time shall poll watchers or challengers be allowed to physically handle the registration record cards.
Updated copies of computer tapes or computer discs or other electronic data processing information containing voter registration information shall be furnished by the county clerk within 10 days after December 15 and May 15 each year and within 10 days after each registration period is closed to the State Board of Elections in a form prescribed by the Board. For the purposes of this Section, a registration period is closed 27 days before the date of any regular or special election. Registration information shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: name, sex, residence, telephone number, if any, age, party affiliation, if applicable, precinct, ward, township, county, and representative, legislative and congressional districts. In the event of noncompliance, the State Board of Elections is directed to obtain compliance forthwith with this nondiscretionary duty of the election authority by instituting legal proceedings in the circuit court of the county in which the election authority maintains the registration information. The costs of furnishing updated copies of tapes or discs shall be paid at a rate of $.00034 per name of registered voters in the election jurisdiction, but not less than $50 per tape or disc and shall be paid from appropriations made to the State Board of Elections for reimbursement to the election authority for such purpose. The State Board shall furnish copies of such tapes, discs, other electronic data or compilations thereof to state political committees registered pursuant to the Illinois Campaign Finance Act or the Federal Election Campaign Act and to governmental entities, at their request and at a reasonable cost. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of voter registration information, the disclosure of electronic voter registration records to any person or entity other than to a State or local political committee and other than to a governmental entity for a governmental purpose is specifically prohibited except as follows: subject to security measures adopted by the State Board of Elections which, at a minimum, shall include the keeping of a catalog or database, available for public view, including the name, address, and telephone number of the person viewing the list as well as the time of that viewing, any person may view the centralized statewide voter registration list on a computer screen at the Springfield office of the State Board of Elections, during normal business hours other than during the 27 days before an election, but the person viewing the list under this exception may not print, duplicate, transmit, or alter the list. Copies of the tapes, discs, or other electronic data shall be furnished by the county clerk to local political committees and governmental entities at their request and at a reasonable cost. Reasonable cost of the tapes, discs, et cetera for this purpose would be the cost of duplication plus 15% for administration. The individual representing a political committee requesting copies of such tapes shall make a sworn affidavit that the information shall be used only for bona fide political purposes, including by or for candidates for office or incumbent office holders. Such tapes, discs or other electronic data shall not be used under any circumstances by any political committee or individuals for purposes of commercial solicitation or other business purposes. If such tapes contain information on county residents related to the operations of county government in addition to registration information, that information shall not be used under any circumstances for commercial solicitation or other business purposes. The prohibition in this Section against using the computer tapes or computer discs or other electronic data processing information containing voter registration information for purposes of commercial solicitation or other business purposes shall be prospective only from the effective date of this amended Act of 1979. Any person who violates this provision shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.
The State Board of Elections shall promulgate, by October 1, 1987, such regulations as may be necessary to ensure uniformity throughout the State in electronic data processing of voter registration information. The regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, specifications for uniform medium, communications protocol and file structure to be employed by the election authorities of this State in the electronic data processing of voter registration information. Each election authority utilizing electronic data processing of voter registration information shall comply with such regulations on and after May 15, 1988.
If the applicant for registration was last registered in another county within this State, he shall also sign a certificate authorizing cancellation of the former registration. The certificate shall be in substantially the following form:
To the County Clerk of…. County, Illinois. (or)
To the Election Commission of the City of …., Illinois.
This is to certify that I am registered in your (county) (city) and that my residence was .
Having moved out of your (county) (city), I hereby authorize you to cancel said registration in your office.
Dated at …., Illinois, on (insert date).
……………………………
(Signature of Voter)
Attest: ……………., County Clerk, ………….
County, Illinois.
The cancellation certificate shall be mailed immediately by the County Clerk to the County Clerk (or election commission as the case may be) where the applicant was formerly registered. Receipt of such certificate shall be full authority for cancellation of any previous registration.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 10-1-13; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-8.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-8.01)
Sec. 4-8.01. If an applicant for registration reports a permanent physical disability which would require assistance in voting, the county clerk shall mark all his registration cards in the right margin on the front of the card with a band of ink running the full margin which shall be of contrast to, and easily distinguishable from, the color of the card. If an applicant for registration declares upon properly witnessed oath, with his signature or mark affixed, that he cannot read the English language and that he will require assistance in voting, all his registration cards shall be marked in a manner similar to the marking on the cards of a voter who requires assistance because of physical disability, except that the marking shall be of a different distinguishing color. Following each election the cards of any voter who has requested assistance as a voter with a disability, and has stated that the disability is permanent, or who has received assistance because of inability to read the English language, shall be marked in the same manner.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-8.02) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-8.02)
Sec. 4-8.02. Upon the issuance of a voter’s identification card for persons with disabilities as provided in Section 19-12.1, the county clerk shall cause the identification number of such card to be clearly noted on all the registration cards of such voter.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-8.03) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-8.03)
Sec. 4-8.03. The State Board of Elections shall design a registration record card which, except as otherwise provided in this Section, shall be used in triplicate by all election authorities in the State, except those election authorities adopting a computer-based voter registration file authorized under Section 4-33. The Board shall prescribe the form and specifications, including but not limited to the weight of paper, color and print of such cards. Such cards shall contain boxes or spaces for the information required under Sections 4-8 and 4-21 of this Code; provided, that such cards shall also contain a box or space for the applicant’s social security number, which shall be required to the extent allowed by law but in no case shall the applicant provide fewer than the last 4 digits of the social security number, and a box for the applicant’s telephone number, if available.
Except for those election authorities adopting a computer-based voter registration file authorized under Section 4-33, the original and duplicate cards shall respectively constitute the master file and precinct binder registration records of the voter. A copy shall be given to the applicant upon completion of his or her registration or completed transfer of registration.
Whenever a voter moves to another precinct within the same election jurisdiction or to another election jurisdiction in the State, such voter may transfer his or her registration by presenting his or her copy to the election authority or a deputy registrar. If such voter is not in possession of or has lost his or her copy, he or she may effect a transfer of registration by executing an Affidavit of Cancellation of Previous Registration.
In the case of a transfer of registration to a new election jurisdiction, the election authority shall transmit the voter’s copy or such affidavit to the election authority of the voter’s former election jurisdiction, which shall immediately cause the transmission of the voter’s previous registration card to the voter’s new election authority. No transfer of registration to a new election jurisdiction shall be complete until the voter’s old election authority receives notification.
Deputy registrars shall return all copies of registration record cards or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration to the election authority within 7 working days after the receipt thereof, except that such copies or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration received by the deputy registrars between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the election authority within 48 hours after receipt. The deputy registrars shall return the copies or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration received by them on the 28th day preceding an election to the election authority within 24 hours after receipt thereof.
(Source: P.A. 91-73, eff. 7-9-99; 92-816, eff. 8-21-02.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-8.5)
Sec. 4-8.5. Deputy registrar eligibility. Unless otherwise provided by law, an individual who is 17 years old or older who is registered to vote in this State shall be eligible to serve as a deputy registrar.
(Source: P.A. 99-722, eff. 8-5-16; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

(10 ILCS 5/4-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-9)
Sec. 4-9. The county clerk shall fully instruct the registration officers and deputy registration officers in their duties. Each registration officer and deputy registration officer shall receipt to the county clerk for all blank registration record cards issued to him, specifying therein the number of the blanks received by him, and each registration officer and deputy registration officer shall be charged with such blanks until he returns them to the county clerk. If for any cause a blank registration record card is mutilated or rendered unfit for use in making it out, or if a mistake thereon has been made, such blank shall not be destroyed, but the word “mutilated” shall be written across the face of such card, and the card shall be returned to the county clerk and be preserved in the same manner and for the same length of time as mutilated ballots. When each 1969 and 1970 precinct re-registration has been completed, each registration officer shall certify the registration records in substantially the following form:
“We, the undersigned registration officers or deputy registration officers in the County of …. in the State of Illinois, do swear (or affirm) that at the registration of electors on (insert date) there was registered by us in the said election precinct the names which appear on the registration records, and that the number of voters registered and qualified was and is the number of ….
………………….
………………….
………………….
Registration officers.
Date …………….”

After completion of each 1969 and 1970 precinct re-registration each of the officers of registration for such precinct shall place all registration cards received by him, regardless of whether such cards have been unused, filled out, executed or mutilated, in an envelope to be provided for that purpose by the county clerk and shall seal such envelope with an official wax impression seal and sign his name across the face of such envelope. The judge of registration for such precinct shall include in the envelope sealed by him the certification of the registration records hereinabove required. The judge of registration for such precinct shall within 24 hours after the close of re-registration make personal delivery of all envelopes containing the re-registration cards for such precinct to the county clerk.
Other precinct registrations shall be certified and returned in the same manner.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-10)
Sec. 4-10. Except as herein provided, no person shall be registered, unless he applies in person to a registration officer, answers such relevant questions as may be asked of him by the registration officer, and executes the affidavit of registration. The registration officer shall require the applicant to furnish two forms of identification, and except in the case of a homeless individual, one of which must include his or her residence address. These forms of identification shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following: driver’s license, social security card, public aid identification card, utility bill, employee or student identification card, lease or contract for a residence, credit card, or a civic, union or professional association membership card. The registration officer shall require a homeless individual to furnish evidence of his or her use of the mailing address stated. This use may be demonstrated by a piece of mail addressed to that individual and received at that address or by a statement from a person authorizing use of the mailing address. The registration officer shall require each applicant for registration to read or have read to him the affidavit of registration before permitting him to execute the affidavit.
One of the registration officers or a deputy registration officer, county clerk, or clerk in the office of the county clerk, shall administer to all persons who shall personally apply to register the following oath or affirmation:
“You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will fully and truly answer all such questions as shall be put to you touching your name, place of residence, place of birth, your qualifications as an elector and your right as such to register and vote under the laws of the State of Illinois.”
The registration officer shall satisfy himself that each applicant for registration is qualified to register before registering him. If the registration officer has reason to believe that the applicant is a resident of a Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home or any facility which is licensed or certified pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, the following question shall be put, “When you entered the home which is your present address, was it your bona fide intention to become a resident thereof?” Any voter of a township, city, village or incorporated town in which such applicant resides, shall be permitted to be present at the place of any precinct registration and shall have the right to challenge any applicant who applies to be registered.
In case the officer is not satisfied that the applicant is qualified he shall forthwith notify such applicant in writing to appear before the county clerk to complete his registration. Upon the card of such applicant shall be written the word “incomplete” and no such applicant shall be permitted to vote unless such registration is satisfactorily completed as hereinafter provided. No registration shall be taken and marked as incomplete if information to complete it can be furnished on the date of the original application.
Any person claiming to be an elector in any election precinct and whose registration card is marked “Incomplete” may make and sign an application in writing, under oath, to the county clerk in substance in the following form:
“I do solemnly swear that I, …., did on (insert date) make application to the board of registry of the …. precinct of the township of …. (or to the county clerk of …. county) and that said board or clerk refused to complete my registration as a qualified voter in said precinct. That I reside in said precinct, that I intend to reside in said precinct, and am a duly qualified voter of said precinct and am entitled to be registered to vote in said precinct at the next election.
(Signature of applicant) ………………………..”

All such applications shall be presented to the county clerk or to his duly authorized representative by the applicant, in person between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day after the days on which the 1969 and 1970 precinct re-registrations are held but not on any day within 27 days preceding the ensuing general election and thereafter for the registration provided in Section 4-7 all such applications shall be presented to the county clerk or his duly authorized representative by the applicant in person between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day prior to 27 days preceding the ensuing general election. Such application shall be heard by the county clerk or his duly authorized representative at the time the application is presented. If the applicant for registration has registered with the county clerk, such application may be presented to and heard by the county clerk or by his duly authorized representative upon the dates specified above or at any time prior thereto designated by the county clerk.
Any otherwise qualified person who is absent from his county of residence either due to business of the United States or because he is temporarily outside the territorial limits of the United States may become registered by mailing an application to the county clerk within the periods of registration provided for in this Article, or by simultaneous application for registration by mail and vote by mail ballot as provided in Article 20 of this Code.
Upon receipt of such application the county clerk shall immediately mail an affidavit of registration in duplicate, which affidavit shall contain the following and such other information as the State Board of Elections may think it proper to require for the identification of the applicant:
Name. The name of the applicant, giving surname and first or Christian name in full, and the middle name or the initial for such middle name, if any.
Sex.
Residence. The name and number of the street, avenue or other location of the dwelling, and such additional clear and definite description as may be necessary to determine the exact location of the dwelling of the applicant. Where the location cannot be determined by street and number, then the Section, congressional township and range number may be used, or such other information as may be necessary, including post office mailing address.
Electronic mail address, if the registrant has provided this information.
Term of residence in the State of Illinois and the precinct.
Nativity. The State or country in which the applicant was born.
Citizenship. Whether the applicant is native born or naturalized. If naturalized, the court, place and date of naturalization.
Age. Date of birth, by month, day and year.
Out of State address of ……………………..
AFFIDAVIT OF REGISTRATION
State of ………..)
)ss
County of ……….)
I hereby swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States; that on the day of the next election I shall have resided in the State of Illinois and in the election precinct 30 days; that I am fully qualified to vote, that I am not registered to vote anywhere else in the United States, that I intend to remain a resident of the State of Illinois and of the election precinct, that I intend to return to the State of Illinois, and that the above statements are true.
…………………………
(His or her signature or mark)
Subscribed and sworn to before me, an officer qualified to administer oaths, on (insert date).
………………………………….
Signature of officer administering oath.
Upon receipt of the executed duplicate affidavit of Registration, the county clerk shall transfer the information contained thereon to duplicate Registration Cards provided for in Section 4-8 of this Article and shall attach thereto a copy of each of the duplicate affidavit of registration and thereafter such registration card and affidavit shall constitute the registration of such person the same as if he had applied for registration in person.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 98-115, eff. 10-1-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-11)
Sec. 4-11. At least 2 weeks prior to the general November election in each even numbered year and the consolidated election in each odd-numbered year the county clerk shall cause a list to be made for each precinct of all names upon the registration record cards not marked or erased, in alphabetical order, with the address, provided, that such list may be arranged geographically, by street and number, in numerical order, with respect to all precincts in which all, or substantially all residences of voters therein shall be located upon and numbered along streets, avenues, courts, or other highways which are either named or numbered, upon direction either of the county board or of the circuit court. On the list, the county clerk shall indicate, by italics, asterisk, or other means, the names of all persons who have registered since the last regularly scheduled election in the consolidated schedule of elections established in Section 2A-1.1 of this Act. The county clerk shall cause such precinct lists to be printed or typed in sufficient numbers to meet all reasonable demands, and upon application a copy of the same shall be given to any person applying therefor. By such time, the county clerk shall give the precinct lists to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party, as such party is defined in Section 10-2 of this Act, or to the chair’s duly authorized representative. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Amendatory Act of 1983, the county clerk shall give the precinct lists compiled prior to the general November election of 1982 to the chair of county central committee of an established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Prior to the opening of the polls for other elections, the county clerk shall transmit or deliver to the judges of election of each polling place a corrected list of registered voters in the precinct, or the names of persons added to and erased or withdrawn from the list for such precinct. At other times such list, currently corrected, shall be kept available for public inspection in the office of the county clerk.
Within 60 days after each general election the county clerk shall indicate by italics, asterisk, or other means, on the list of registered voters in each precinct, each registrant who voted at that general election, and shall provide a copy of such list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, the county clerk shall indicate by italics, asterisk, or other means, on the list of registered voters in each precinct, each registrant who voted at the general election of 1982, and shall provide a copy of such coded list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
The county clerk may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a list provided under either of the 2 preceding paragraphs.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-12)
Sec. 4-12. Any voter or voters in the township, city, village or incorporated town containing such precinct, and any precinct committeeperson in the county, may, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. of Monday and Tuesday of the second week prior to the week in which the 1970 primary election for the nomination of candidates for State and county offices or any election thereafter is to be held, make application in writing, to the county clerk, to have any name upon the register of any precinct erased. Such application shall be, in substance, in the words and figures following:
“I, being a qualified voter, registered from No. …. Street in the …. precinct of the …. ward of the city (village or town of) …. (or of the …. town of ….) do hereby solemnly swear (or affirm) that …. registered from No. …. Street is not a qualified voter in the …. precinct of …. ward of the city (village or town) of …. (or of the …. town of ….) and hence I ask that his name be erased from the register of such precinct for the following reason …..
Affiant further says that he has personal knowledge of the facts set forth in the above affidavit.
(Signed) …..
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
….
….
…..”

Such application shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant before the county clerk or any deputy authorized by the county clerk for that purpose, and filed with said clerk. Thereupon notice of such application, and of the time and place of hearing thereon, with a demand to appear before the county clerk and show cause why his name shall not be erased from said register, shall be mailed, in an envelope duly stamped and directed to such person at the address upon said register, at least four days before the day fixed in said notice to show cause. If such person has provided the election authority with an e-mail address, then the election authority shall also send the same notice by electronic mail at least 4 days before the day fixed in said notice to show cause.
A like notice shall be mailed to the person or persons making the application to have the name upon such register erased to appear and show cause why said name should be erased, the notice to set out the day and hour of such hearing. If the voter making such application fails to appear before said clerk at the time set for the hearing as fixed in the said notice or fails to show cause why the name upon such register shall be erased, the application to erase may be dismissed by the county clerk.
Any voter making the application is privileged from arrest while presenting it to the county clerk, and while going to and from the office of the county clerk.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-13)
Sec. 4-13. A docket of all applications to the county clerk, whether such application shall be made for the purpose of being registered, or restored, or for the purpose of erasing a name on the register or for completing registration, shall be made out in the order of the precincts. The county clerk shall sit to hear such applications between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the second week prior to the week in which the 1970 primary election for the nomination of candidates for State and county officers or any election thereafter is to be held. Witnesses may be sworn and examined upon the hearing of the applications.
Each person appearing in response to an application to have his name erased shall deliver to the county clerk a written affidavit, which shall be, in substance, in the words and figures following:
“I do solemnly swear that I am a citizen of the United States; that I do reside and have resided in the State of Illinois since the …. day of …. and in the county of …. in said state since the …. day of …. and in the …. precinct of the …. ward, in the city, village, incorporated town or town of …. in said county and state, since the …. day of …. and that I am …. years of age; and that I am the identical person registered in said precinct under the name I subscribe hereto.”
This affidavit shall be signed and sworn to or affirmed before any person authorized to administer oaths or affirmations. The decision on each application shall be announced at once after the hearing, and a minute made thereof, and when an application to be registered or to be restored to the register or to complete registration shall be allowed, the county clerk shall cause a minute to be made upon the original and duplicate registration record cards.
All applications under this section and all hearings hereinafter provided may be heard by a deputy county clerk or clerks specially designated by the county clerk for this purpose, and a decision by a deputy so designated, shall become the decision of the county clerk upon approval by the county clerk.
In any case in which the county clerk refuses an application to be registered or restored or to have a registration completed, or orders a name erased or stricken from the register, application may be made to the circuit court to be placed upon the register, and such applications shall be heard, and appeals taken from refusal of such applications, in the manner provided in other civil actions. The court may, at its discretion, hear such applications upon the same days as are specified in this Section for hearings by the county clerk, and, in such cases, application to be heard by the court may be made on such days. Forms for applications to the court shall be furnished by the county clerk.
(Source: P.A. 83-334.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-14)
Sec. 4-14. In all registrations it shall be the duty of every board of registry conducting a registration under Section 4-7 of this Article, at the time of making delivery of its registration records to the county clerk, to make a report to the clerk listing the names of all registered persons in such precinct for which it has served as a board of registry whom it knows or upon information believes to have removed from the precinct in which such person is registered. Where no further registration is had under the provisions of Section 4-7 prior to an election, it shall be the duty of the judges of election of each precinct, on or before Tuesday three weeks preceding the election, to make a report to the county clerk listing the names of all registered persons in such precinct whom they know or on information believe to have removed from the precinct in which such person is registered. Such report by the board of registry or the judges of election shall be treated as an application to erase from the register any name appearing in such report, and notice thereof shall be given to such person in the manner provided by Section 4-12 of this Article. If such person does not appear at the time and place designated in the notice, his registration shall be cancelled by the county clerk.
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1385.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-14.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-14.1)
Sec. 4-14.1. Cancelation of deceased voter’s registration. Upon establishment of an electronic reporting system for death registrations as provided in the Vital Records Act, the county clerk of the county where a decedent last resided, as indicated on the decedent’s death certificate, may issue certifications of death records from that system and may use that system to cancel the registration of any person who has died during the preceding month. Regardless of whether or not such a system has been established, it is the duty of the county clerk to examine, monthly, the records deposited in his or her office pursuant to the Vital Records Act that relate to deaths in the county, and to cancel the registration of any person who has died during the preceding month.
(Source: P.A. 96-1484, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-15)
Sec. 4-15. Within 5 days after a person registers or transfers his registration with the office of the election authority, such election authority shall send by mail, and by electronic mail if the registrant has provided the election authority with an e-mail address, a certificate to such person setting forth the elector’s name and address as it appears upon the registration record card, and shall request him in case of any error to present the certificate on or before the 7th day next ensuing at the office of the election authority in order to secure correction of the error. The certificate shall contain on the outside a request for the postmaster to return it within 5 days if it cannot be delivered to the addressee at the address given thereon. Upon the return by the post office of a certificate which it has been unable to deliver at the given address because the addressee cannot be found there or because no such address exists, a notice shall be at once sent through the United States mail to such person at the address appearing upon his registration record card requiring him to appear before the election authority, within 5 days, to answer questions touching his right to register. If the person notified fails to appear at the election authority’s office within 5 days as directed or if he appears and fails to prove his right to register, the election authority shall mark his registration card as incomplete and he shall not be permitted to vote until his registration is satisfactorily completed.
If an elector possesses such a certificate valid on its face, if his name does not expressly appear to have been erased or withdrawn from the precinct list as corrected and revised as provided by Section 4-11 of this Article, if he makes an affidavit and attaches such certificate thereto, and if such affidavit substantially in the form prescribed in Section 17-10 of this Act is sworn to before a judge of election on suitable forms provided by the election authority for that purpose, such elector shall be permitted to vote even though his duplicate registration card is not to be found in the precinct binder and even though his name is not to be found upon the printed or any other list.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 10-1-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-16)
Sec. 4-16. Any registered voter who changes his residence from one address to another within the same county wherein this Article is in effect, may have his registration transferred to his new address by making and signing an application for change of residence address upon a form to be provided by the county clerk. Such application must be made to the office of the county clerk and may be made either in person or by mail. In case the person is unable to sign his name, the county clerk shall require him to execute the application in the presence of the county clerk or of his properly authorized representative, by his mark, and if satisfied of the identity of the person, the county clerk shall make the transfer.
Upon receipt of the application, the county clerk, or one of his employees deputized to take registrations shall cause the signature of the voter and the data appearing upon the application to be compared with the signature and data on the registration record card, and if it appears that the applicant is the same person as the person previously registered under that name the transfer shall be made.
No transfers of registration under the provisions of this Section shall be made during the 27 days preceding any election at which such voter would be entitled to vote. When a removal of a registered voter takes place from one address to another within the same precinct within a period during which a transfer of registration cannot be made before any election or primary, he shall be entitled to vote upon presenting the judges of election his affidavit substantially in the form prescribed in Section 17-10 of this Act of a change of residence address within the precinct on a date therein specified.
The county clerk may obtain information from utility companies, city, village, incorporated town and township records, the post office, or from other sources, regarding the removal of registered voters, and may treat such information, and information procured from his death and marriage records on file in his office, as an application to erase from the register any name concerning which he may so have information that the voter is no longer qualified to vote under the name, or from the address from which registered, and give notice thereof in the manner provided by Section 4-12 of this Article, and notify voters who have changed their address that a transfer of registration may be made in the manner provided in this Section enclosing a form therefor.
If any person be registered by error in a precinct other than that in which he resides, the county clerk may transfer his registration to the proper precinct, and if the error is or may be on the part of the registration officials, and is disclosed too late before an election or primary to mail the certificate required by Section 4-15, such certificate may be personally delivered to the voter and he may vote thereon as therein provided, but such certificates so issued shall be specially listed with the reason for the issuance thereof.
Where a revision or rearrangement of precincts is made by the county board, the county clerk shall immediately transfer to the proper precinct the registration of any voter affected by such revision or rearrangement of the precinct; make the proper notations on the registration cards of a voter affected by the revision or rearrangement and shall issue revised certificates to each registrant of such change.
Any registered voter who changes his or her name by marriage or otherwise shall be required to register anew and authorize the cancellation of the previous registration; but if the voter still resides in the same precinct the elector may, if otherwise qualified, vote upon making an affidavit at the polling place attesting that the voter is the same person who is registered to vote under his or her former name. The affidavit shall be treated by the election authority as authorization to cancel the registration under the former name, and the election authority shall register the person under his or her current name.
The precinct election officials shall report to the county clerk the names and addresses of all persons who have changed their addresses and voted, which shall be treated as an application to change address accordingly, and the names and addresses of all persons otherwise voting by affidavit as in this Section provided, which shall be treated as an application to erase under Section 4-12 hereof.
(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-17)
Sec. 4-17. Following the general election in November, 1946, and following the November election every 4 years thereafter, the county clerk shall examine the registration record cards, and shall send to every voter who has not voted during the preceding four years a notice through the mails, substantially as follows:
Notice of suspension of registration:
“You are hereby notified that your registration will be cancelled according to law for failure to vote during the last 4 years, unless you apply for reinstatement within 30 days. You may reinstate your registration by signing the statement below and returning it to this office or by making application in person to do so.”
Application for reinstatement of registration:
“I do hereby certify that I still reside at the address from which I am registered and apply for reinstatement of my registration.
Signed ….
Present Address ….
Date ….”
In case the elector is unable to sign his name, the application for reinstatement shall be made at the office of the county clerk, or in the case of an elector, absent from the county of his residence, it shall be made before the clerk of a circuit court in the county in which the elector is temporarily detained.
After the expiration of 30 days the county clerk shall cancel the registration of all electors thus notified who have not applied for reinstatement.
A proper entry shall be made on the registration record cards for all electors whose registrations are reinstated. Any elector whose registration has been cancelled for failure to vote may register again by making the application therefor in the manner provided by this Article 4. When a registration is cancelled or erased under this or other sections of this Article 4, a proper entry shall be made on the original and duplicate registration cards by the county clerk, which shall then be placed in a file of cancelled registrations and shall be preserved for 2 years from date of cancellation. The county clerk shall, however, place the cancelled cards in a suspense file, and reinstate them at any time within such 2 year suspense period, when a person’s registration is cancelled under this or other sections of this Article for failure to apply for reinstatement or to appear in proper time, and there is sufficient subsequent showing that he is a duly qualified elector.
(Source: P.A. 81-155.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-18)
Sec. 4-18. The county clerk on his or her own initiative or upon the order of the county board or of the circuit court shall at all times have authority to conduct investigations and to make canvasses of the registered voters in any precinct by other methods than those prescribed herein, and shall at all times have authority to cancel registration in the manner provided by this section. Canvassers appointed for such canvasses and investigations shall be appointed by the county clerk; shall be confirmed by the circuit court in the manner provided by Section 13-3 of this Act for the confirmation of judges of election; shall be officers of that court; and shall be subject to the same control and punishment as judges of election. If upon the basis of investigation or canvasses, the county clerk is of the opinion that any person registered under this Article 4 is not a qualified voter or has ceased to be a qualified voter, he or she shall send a notice through the United States mail to such person, requiring him or her to appear before the county clerk for a hearing within 5 days after the date of mailing the notice and show cause why his or her registration shall not be cancelled. If such person fails to appear within such time as provided, his or her registration shall be cancelled. If such person does appear, he or she shall execute an affidavit similar in every respect to the affidavit required of applicants under Section 4-13 of this Article 4.
(Source: P.A. 83-334.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-18.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-18.01)
Sec. 4-18.01. Each registered voter lacking a permanent abode shall be canvassed by the county clerk before each election. The canvass shall be by mail sent not later than 49 days preceding the election to the mailing address listed on the voter’s registration record card. The clerk shall include in the mailing a postage prepaid return postcard. The voter must certify on the postcard his or her continued residence at the registration address and mail the postcard back to the clerk so that it is postmarked no later than the 26th day preceding the election.
If an application for registration is presented within the 49 day period preceding an election, then this Section shall not apply and the provisions of this Article with respect to the mailing of a verification of a registration notice shall be a canvass, except that such notice shall be mailed to the registrant’s mailing address.
(Source: P.A. 87-1241.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-19) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-19)
Sec. 4-19. If either the original or duplicate registration card, or both, of any elector shall be lost, destroyed or mutilated in whole or in part, the county clerk shall prepare two new registration cards, an original and a duplicate and shall require the execution of a new registration affidavit by such elector, and if any such elector shall refuse to execute the affidavit within thirty days after the mailing of a notice to him at the last address from which he has registered, then his registration shall be cancelled.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-20) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-20)
Sec. 4-20. The original registration cards shall remain permanently in the office of the county clerk or election authority except as destroyed as provided in Section 4-5.01; shall be filed alphabetically without regard to precincts; and shall be known as the master file. The master file may be kept in a computer-based voter registration file or paper format, provided a secondary digital back-up is kept off site. The digital file shall be searchable and remain current with all registration activity conducted by the county clerk or election authority. The duplicate registration cards shall constitute the official registry of voters for all elections subject to the provisions of this Article 4, shall be filed by precincts alphabetically or geographically so as to correspond with the arrangement of the list for such precincts respectively, compiled pursuant to Section 4-11 of this Article, and shall be known as the precinct file. The duplicate cards for use in conducting elections shall be delivered to the judges of election by the county clerk in a suitable binder or other device, which shall be locked and sealed in accordance with the directions to be given by the county clerk and shall also be suitably indexed for convenient use by the precinct officers. The duplicate cards shall be delivered to the judges of election for use at the polls for elections at the same time as the official ballots are delivered to them, and shall be returned to the county clerk by the judges of election within the time provided for the return of the official ballots. The county clerk shall determine the manner of delivery and return of such duplicate cards, and shall at all other times retain them at his office except for such use of them as may be made under this Article with respect to registration not at the office of the county clerk.
(Source: P.A. 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-21) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-21)
Sec. 4-21. For use in connection with referenda and the nonpartisan and consolidated elections, each election authority shall maintain permanent records of the boundaries of all political subdivisions partially or wholly within its jurisdiction and any districts thereof, and shall maintain permanent records indicating by tax extension number code for each registered voter the political subdivisions and any districts thereof in which that voter resides. Such records may be kept on the registration record cards or on separate registration lists, or if a method other than record coding by tax extension numbers as adopted by an election authority, such method shall be, approved by the State Board of Elections. Each political subdivision must, no later than 5 days after any redistricting, annexation, disconnection or other boundary change is adopted, give notice of any such adoption and the effective date of such act to each election authority having election jurisdiction over any of its former or new territory.
Each election authority must make available to election judges for use on election day, records indicating by tax extension number code or other method approved by the State Board of Elections for each registered voter, the political subdivisions in which that voter resides. For the purposes of election day use by election judges, such records must be kept on the registration record cards or on separate registration lists.
(Source: P.A. 84-861.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-22) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-22)
Sec. 4-22. Except as otherwise provided in this Section upon application to vote each registered elector shall sign his name or make his mark as the case may be, on a certificate substantially as follows:
CERTIFICATE OF REGISTERED VOTER
City of ……. Ward ……. Precinct …….
Election ……. (Date) ……. (Month) ……. (Year)
Registration Record …….
Checked by …….
Voter’s number ….
INSTRUCTION TO VOTERS
Sign this certificate and hand it to the election officer in charge. After the registration record has been checked, the officer will hand it back to you. Whereupon you shall present it to the officer in charge of the ballots.
I hereby certify that I am registered from the address below and am qualified to vote.
Signature of voter …….
residence address …….
An individual shall not be required to provide his social security number when applying for a ballot. He shall not be denied a ballot, nor shall his ballot be challenged, solely because of his refusal to provide his social security number. Nothing in this Act prevents an individual from being requested to provide his social security number when the individual applies for a ballot. If, however, the certificate contains a space for the individual’s social security number, the following notice shall appear on the certificate, immediately above such space, in bold-face capital letters, in type the size of which equals the largest type on the certificate:
“THE INDIVIDUAL APPLYING FOR A BALLOT WITH THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE HIS OR HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. HE OR SHE MAY NOT BE DENIED A BALLOT, NOR SHALL HIS OR HER BALLOT BE CHALLENGED, SOLELY BECAUSE OF HIS OR HER REFUSAL TO PROVIDE HIS OR HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.”
The certificates of each State-wide political party at a general primary election shall be separately printed upon paper of uniform quality, texture and size, but the certificates of no 2 State-wide political parties shall be of the same color or tint. However, if the election authority provides computer generated applications with the precinct, ballot style and voter’s name and address preprinted on the application, a single application may be used for State-wide political parties if it contains spaces or check-off boxes to indicate the political party. Such application shall not entitle the voter to vote in the primary of more than one political party at the same election.
At the consolidated primary, such certificates may contain spaces or checkoff boxes permitting the voter to request a primary ballot of any other political party which is established only within a political subdivision and for which a primary is conducted on the same election day. Such application shall not entitle the voter to vote in both the primary of the State-wide political party and the primary of the local political party with respect to the offices of the same political subdivision. In no event may a voter vote in more than one State-wide primary on the same day.
The judges in charge of the precinct registration files shall compare the signature upon such certificate with the signature on the registration record card as a means of identifying the voter. Unless satisfied by such comparison that the applicant to vote is the identical person who is registered under the same name, the judges shall ask such applicant the questions for identification which appear on the registration card, and if the applicant does not prove to the satisfaction of a majority of the judges of the election precinct that he is the identical person registered under the name in question then the vote of such applicant shall be challenged by a judge of election, and the same procedure followed as provided by law for challenged voters.
In case the elector is unable to sign his name, a judge of election shall check the data on the registration card and shall check the address given, with the registered address, in order to determine whether he is entitled to vote.
One of the judges of election shall check the certificate of each applicant for a ballot after the registration record has been examined, and shall sign his initials on the certificate in the space provided therefor, and shall enter upon such certificate the number of the voter in the place provided therefor, and make an entry in the voting record space on the registration record, to indicate whether or not the applicant voted. Such judge shall then hand such certificate back to the applicant in case he is permitted to vote, and such applicant shall hand it to the judge of election in charge of the ballots. The certificates of the voters shall be filed in the order in which they are received and shall constitute an official poll record. The term “poll lists” and “poll books”, where used in this Article, shall be construed to apply to such official poll record.
After each general primary election the county clerk shall indicate by color code or other means next to the name of each registrant on the list of registered voters in each precinct the primary ballot of a political party that the registrant requested at that general primary election. The county clerk, within 60 days after the general primary election, shall provide a copy of this coded list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, the county clerk shall provide to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative the list of registered voters in each precinct at the time of the general primary election of 1982 and shall indicate on such list by color code or other means next to the name of a registrant the primary ballot of a political party that the registrant requested at the general primary election of 1982.
The county clerk may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a list provided under either of the 2 preceding paragraphs.
Where an elector makes application to vote by signing and presenting the certificate provided by this Section, and his registration record card is not found in the precinct registry of voters, but his name appears as that of a registered voter in such precinct upon the printed precinct register as corrected or revised by the supplemental list, or upon the consolidated list, if any, and whose name has not been erased or withdrawn from such register, the printed precinct register as corrected or revised by the supplemental list, or consolidated list, if any, shall be prima facie evidence of the elector’s right to vote upon compliance with the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section. In such event one of the judges of election shall require an affidavit by such person and one voter residing in the precinct before the judges of election, substantially in the form prescribed in Section 17-10 of this Act, and upon the presentation of such affidavits, a certificate shall be issued to such elector, and upon the presentation of such certificate and affidavits, he shall be entitled to vote.
Provided, however, that applications for ballots made by registered voters under the provisions of Article 19 of this Act shall be accepted by the Judges of Election in lieu of the “Certificate of Registered Voter” provided for in this Section.
When the county clerk delivers to the judges of election for use at the polls a supplemental or consolidated list of the printed precinct register, he shall give a copy of the supplemental or consolidated list to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Whenever 2 or more elections occur simultaneously, the election authority charged with the duty of providing application certificates may prescribe the form thereof so that a voter is required to execute only one, indicating in which of the elections he desires to vote.
After the signature has been verified, the judges shall determine in which political subdivisions the voter resides by use of the information contained on the voter registration cards or the separate registration lists or other means approved by the State Board of Elections and prepared and supplied by the election authority. The voter’s certificate shall be so marked by the judges as to show the respective ballots which the voter is given.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-23)
Sec. 4-23. The provisions of this Article 4, so far as they require the registration of voters as a condition to their being allowed to vote, shall not apply to persons otherwise entitled to vote, who are, at the time of the election, or at any time within 60 days prior to such election have been, engaged in the military or naval service of the United States, and who appear personally at the polling place on election day and produce to the judges of election satisfactory evidence thereof, but such persons, if otherwise qualified to vote, shall be permitted to vote at such election without previous registration.
All such persons shall also make an affidavit which shall be in substantially the following form:
“State of Illinois)
) ss.
County of ……..)
………… Precinct ………… Ward
I, ……………, do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I am a citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years or over, and that within the past 60 days prior to the date of this election at which I am applying to vote, I have been engaged in the …. (military or naval) service of the United States; and I am qualified to vote under and by virtue of the Constitution and laws of the State of Illinois, and that I am a legally qualified voter of this precinct and ward except that I have, because of such service, been unable to register as a voter; that I now reside at …. (insert street and number, if any) in this precinct and ward, that I have maintained a legal residence in this precinct and ward for 30 days and in the State 30 days next preceding this election.
………………….
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
………………….
Judge of Election.”

The affidavit of any such person shall be supported by the affidavit of a resident and qualified voter of any such precinct and ward, which affidavit shall be in substantially the following form:
“State of Illinois)
) ss.
County of ……..)
……………. Precinct …………… Ward
I, …., do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I am a resident of this precinct and ward and entitled to vote at this election; that I am acquainted with …. (name of the applicant); that I verily believe him or her to be an actual bona fide resident of this precinct and ward and that I verily believe that he or she has maintained a legal residence therein 30 days, and in this State 30 days next preceding this election.
………………….
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
………………….
Judge of Election.”
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-24) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-24)
Sec. 4-24. In the event that any city, village or incorporated town within a county shall become subject to the authority of a board of election commissioners, by the adoption of Articles 6, 14 and 18 of this Act, or shall cease to be subject to the authority of such a board, by the abandonment of said Articles, it shall not be necessary for the registered voters in the area affected by such action to register again, either under this Article or under Article 6 of this Act unless they are not re-registered under the 1969 and 1970 re-registration provisions in counties where such provisions are applicable.
This Article 4 shall immediately become effective in any area of a county that ceases to be subject to the authority of a board of election commissioners.
Within 24 hours after the court has entered its order declaring Articles 6, 14 and 18 of this Act adopted by any city, village or incorporated town or rejected by the voters of any city, village or incorporated town, after having been in effect therein, it shall be the duty of the board of election commissioners or of the county clerk, as the case may be, to turn over to the officer or officers thereafter to be charged with the registration of voters within the area affected (the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be) the original and duplicate registration cards of all persons affected by the adoption or rejection of said Articles 6, 14 and 18 of this Act; and at the same time to turn over all forms, papers and other instruments pertaining to the registration of voters within the area affected, and all booths, ballot boxes and election equipment formerly used in conducting elections in such area.
The original registration cards of the voters turned over to the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, shall be placed in a master file together with the registration cards of all voters who previously registered under the provisions of this Article or of Articles 6, 14 and 18 of this Act, as the case may be, and said cards shall then become part of the official registration record required to be kept in the office of the county clerk or of the board of election commissioners, as the case may be.
The duplicate cards shall be arranged in precinct order and shall be retained in the office of the county clerk or of the board of election commissioners, as the case may be, for the use in conducting elections. Such duplicate cards shall become part of the official registration record required to be kept in the office of the county clerk or of the board of election commissioners, as the case may be.
(Source: P.A. 83-334.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-24.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-24.1)
Sec. 4-24.1. If any area becomes subject to a board of election commissioners by reason of annexation to a city, village or incorporated town subject to such a board or ceases to be subject to a board of election commissioners by reason of disconnection from such a city, village or incorporated town, it shall not be necessary for the registered voters in such area to register again, either under this Article or Article 6.
As soon as practicable after such annexation or disconnection, the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, shall turn over to officer or officers thereafter to be charged with the registration of voters within the area affected (the board of election commissioners or county clerk, as the case may be) the original and duplicate registration cards of all registered voters in the annexed or disconnected area.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 405.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-25) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-25)
Sec. 4-25. The compensation of the deputy registrars and judges of registration appointed by the county board to conduct the registrations under Section 4-6.3 and Section 4-7, shall be fixed by the county board, but in no case shall such compensation be less than $15 nor more than $25 per day for each day actually employed at the registration, canvass and revision and such deputy registrars and judges of registration shall also be compensated at the rate of five cents per mile for each mile actually traveled in calling at the county clerk’s office for registration cards and returning them to said officer.
The State Board of Elections shall reimburse each county for the amount of the increase in compensation under this Section provided by this amendatory Act from funds appropriated for that purpose.
(Source: P.A. 84-1308.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-27) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-27)
Sec. 4-27. At each regular special or primary election to which this Article 4 is applicable, the judges of election shall personally affix all affidavits made before them in accordance with the provisions of Sections 4-15, 4-16, 4-22, 4-23, 7-45 or 17-10, respectively, to the respective applications to vote.
Persons voting for whom no registration card is found in the master file or precinct binder shall be investigated by the county clerk or persons in his office, as shall likewise be investigated the correctness of affidavits filed under the provisions of the Sections hereinbefore in this Section enumerated. If from such investigation the county clerk shall be satisfied that the provisions of this Article have been violated, or that any person has voted who was not qualified so to do, he shall make a complete report to the State’s Attorney of the County, attaching thereto a correct copy of the application to vote and any affidavit which may have been executed by the voter and supporting witnesses, if any. The State’s Attorney shall prosecute all such reports of fraud if on the basis of the facts so reported, and of any additional investigation he may cause to be made, he shall be satisfied that a knowing violation of this Article or of this Act has been committed. The County Clerk shall further file with the circuit court, for such action as is provided in cases of the misbehavior of judges of election, a copy of any such report in which it shall appear that the judges of election knowingly permitted a person to vote who was not qualified so to do under the provisions of this Article or of this Act, or otherwise were guilty of a knowing breach of their duties as such under this Act.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3481.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-28) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-28)
Sec. 4-28. During the hours of registration or revision of registration no person shall bring, take, order or send into, or shall attempt to bring, take or send into any place of registration or revision of registration, any distilled or spirituous liquors whatever; or shall, at any such time and place drink or partake of such liquor.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-30) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-30)
Sec. 4-30. The county clerk on his own initiative or upon order of the county board shall at all times have authority to conduct investigation and to make canvasses of the registered voters in any precinct canvass or at other times and by other methods than those so prescribed. However, the county clerk shall at least once in every 2 years conduct a verification of voter registrations and shall cause the cancellation of registration of persons who have ceased to be qualified voters. Such verification shall be accomplished by one of the following methods: (1) precinct canvass conducted by 2 qualified persons of opposite party affiliation appointed by the county clerk or (2) written request for verification sent to each registered voter by first class mail, not forwardable or (3) an alternative method of verification submitted in writing to and approved by the State Board of Elections at a public meeting not less than 60 days prior to the date on which the county clerk has fixed for implementation of that method of verification; provided, that the county clerk shall submit to the State Board of Elections a written statement of the results obtained by use of such alternative method within 30 days of completion of the verification. Provided that in each precinct one canvasser may be appointed from outside such precinct if not enough other qualified persons who reside within the precinct can be found to serve as canvasser in such precinct. The one canvasser so appointed to serve in any precinct in which he is not entitled to vote prior to the election must be entitled to vote elsewhere within the ward, township or road district which includes within its boundaries the precinct in which such canvasser is appointed and such canvasser must be otherwise qualified. If upon the basis of investigation or canvasses, the county clerk shall be of the opinion that any person registered under this Article is not a qualified voter or has ceased to be a qualified voter, he shall send a notice through the United States mail to such person, requiring him to appear before the county clerk for a hearing within ten days after the date of mailing such notice and show cause why his registration shall not be cancelled. If such person fails to appear within such time as provided, his registration shall be cancelled. If such a person does appear, he shall make an affidavit similar in every respect to the affidavit required of applicants under Section 4-13 and his registration shall be reinstated.
If the county clerk cancels such registration upon the voter failing to appear, the county clerk shall immediately request of the clerk of the city, village or incorporated town in which the person claimed residence, to return the triplicate card of registration of the said person and within twenty-four hours after receipt of said request, the said clerk shall mail or cause to be delivered to the county clerk the triplicate card of registration of the said person and the said triplicate card shall thereupon be cancelled by the county clerk.
(Source: P.A. 84-1308.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-31) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-31)
Sec. 4-31. In any county in which there is a municipality under the jurisdiction of a board of election commissioners, the county clerk and his appointed deputy registrars shall accept the registration of qualified persons residing within such municipality and shall transmit the completed registration to the board of election commissioners prior to the close of registration before an election.
(Source: P.A. 83-1059.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-33)
Sec. 4-33. Computerization of voter records.
(a) The State Board of Elections shall design a registration record card that, except as otherwise provided in this Section, shall be used in duplicate by all election authorities in the State adopting a computer-based voter registration file as provided in this Section. The Board shall prescribe the form and specifications, including but not limited to the weight of paper, color, and print of the cards. The cards shall contain boxes or spaces for the information required under Sections 4-8 and 4-21; provided that the cards shall also contain: (i) A space for a person to fill in his or her Illinois driver’s license number if the person has a driver’s license; (ii) A space for a person without a driver’s license to fill in the last four digits of his or her social security number if the person has a social security number.

(b) The election authority may develop and implement a system to prepare, use, and maintain a computer-based voter registration file that includes a computer-stored image of the signature of each voter. The computer-based voter registration file may be used for all purposes for which the original registration cards are to be used. In the case of voter registration forms received via an online voter registration system, the original registration cards will include the signature received from the Secretary of State database. The electronic file shall be the master file.

(b-2) The election authority may develop and implement a system to maintain registration cards in digital form using digitized signatures, which may be stored in a computer-based voter registration file under subsection (b) of this Section. The making and signing of any form, including an application to register and a certificate authorizing cancellation of a registration or authorizing a transfer of registration may be by a signature written in ink or by a digitized signature.

(c) Any system created, used, and maintained under subsection (b) of this Section shall meet the following standards:

(1) Access to any computer-based voter registration file shall be limited to those persons authorized by the election authority, and each access to the computer-based voter registration file, other than an access solely for inquiry, shall be recorded.

(2) No copy, summary, list, abstract, or index of any computer-based voter registration file that includes any computer-stored image of the signature of any registered voter shall be made available to the public outside of the offices of the election authority.

(3) Any copy, summary, list, abstract, or index of any computer-based voter registration file that includes a computer-stored image of the signature of a registered voter shall be produced in such a manner that it cannot be reproduced.

(4) Each person desiring to vote shall sign an application for a ballot, and the signature comparison authorized in Articles 17 and 18 of this Code may be made to a copy of the computer-stored image of the signature of the registered voter.

(5) Any voter list produced from a computer-based voter registration file that includes computer-stored images of the signatures of registered voters and is used in a polling place during an election shall be preserved by the election authority in secure storage until the end of the second calendar year following the election in which it was used.

(d) Before the first election in which the election authority elects to use a voter list produced from the computer-stored images of the signatures of registered voters in a computer-based voter registration file for signature comparison in a polling place, the State Board of Elections shall certify that the system used by the election authority complies with the standards set forth in this Section. The State Board of Elections may request a sample poll list intended to be used in a polling place to test the accuracy of the list and the adequacy of the computer-stored images of the signatures of the registered voters.

(e) With respect to a jurisdiction that has copied all of its voter signatures into a computer-based registration file, all references in this Act or any other Act to the use, other than storage, of paper-based voter registration records shall be deemed to refer to their computer-based equivalents.

(f) Nothing in this Section prevents an election authority from submitting to the State Board of Elections a duplicate copy of some, as the State Board of Elections shall determine, or all of the data contained in each voter registration record that is part of the electronic master file. The duplicate copy of the registration record shall be maintained by the State Board of Elections under the same terms and limitations applicable to the election authority and shall be of equal legal dignity with the original registration record maintained by the election authority as proof of any fact contained in the voter registration record.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-50)
Sec. 4-50. Grace period. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, each election authority shall establish procedures for the registration of voters and for change of address during the period from the close of registration for an election until and including the day of the election. During this grace period, an unregistered qualified elector may register to vote, and a registered voter may submit a change of address form, in person in the office of the election authority, at a permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10, at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election, at a polling place on election day, or at a voter registration location specifically designated for this purpose by the election authority. Grace period registration and changes of address shall also be conducted for eligible residents in connection with voting at facilities under Section 19-12.2 of this Code. The election authority shall register that individual, or change a registered voter’s address, in the same manner as otherwise provided by this Article for registration and change of address.
If a voter who registers or changes address during this grace period wishes to vote at the election or primary occurring during the grace period, he or she must do so by grace period voting. The election authority shall offer in-person grace period voting at the authority’s office, any permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10, and at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election, at a polling place on election day, where grace period registration is required by this Section; and may offer in-person grace period voting at additional hours and locations specifically designated for the purpose of grace period voting by the election authority. The election authority may allow grace period voting by mail only if the election authority has no ballots prepared at the authority’s office. Grace period voting shall be in a manner substantially similar to voting under Article 19A.
Within one day after a voter casts a grace period ballot, or within one day after the ballot is received by the election authority if the election authority allows grace period voting by mail, the election authority shall transmit by electronic means pursuant to a process established by the State Board of Elections the voter’s name, street address, e-mail address, and precinct, ward, township, and district numbers, as the case may be, to the State Board of Elections, which shall maintain those names and that information in an electronic format on its website, arranged by county and accessible to State and local political committees. The name of each person issued a grace period ballot shall also be placed on the appropriate precinct list of persons to whom vote by mail and early ballots have been issued, for use as provided in Sections 17-9 and 18-5.
A person who casts a grace period ballot shall not be permitted to revoke that ballot and vote another ballot with respect to that primary or election. Ballots cast by persons who register or change address during the grace period at a location other than their designated polling place on election day must be transmitted to and counted at the election authority’s central ballot counting location and shall not be transmitted to and counted at precinct polling places. The grace period ballots determined to be valid shall be added to the vote totals for the precincts for which they were cast in the order in which the ballots were opened.
In counties with a population of less than 100,000 that do not have electronic poll books, the election authority may opt out of registration in the polling place if the election authority establishes grace period registration and voting at other sites on election day at the following sites: (i) the election authority’s main office and (ii) a polling place in each municipality where 20% or more of the county’s residents reside if the election authority’s main office is not located in that municipality. The election authority may establish other grace period registration and voting sites on election day provided that the election authority has met the notice requirements of Section 19A-25 for permanent and temporary early voting sites.
(Source: P.A. 100-442, eff. 8-25-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/4-105)
Sec. 4-105. First time voting. A person must vote for the first time in person and not a vote by mail ballot if the person registered to vote by mail, unless the person first provides the appropriate election authority with sufficient proof of identity and the election authority verifies the person’s proof of identity. Sufficient proof of identity shall be demonstrated by submission of the person’s driver’s license number or State identification card number or, if the person does not have either of those, verification by the last 4 digits of the person’s social security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other federal, State, or local government document that shows the person’s name and address. A person may also demonstrate sufficient proof of identity by submission of a photo identification issued by a college or university accompanied by either a copy of the applicant’s contract or lease for a residence or any postmarked mail delivered to the applicant at his or her current residence address. Persons who apply to register to vote by mail but provide inadequate proof of identity to the election authority shall be notified by the election authority that the registration has not been fully completed and that the person remains ineligible to vote by mail or in person until such proof is presented.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

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Article 5 – Registration of Electors in Counties Having a Population of 500,000 or More

(10 ILCS 5/5-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-1)
Sec. 5-1. Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful for any person residing in a county containing a population of 500,000 or more, to vote at any election, unless such person is at the time of such election a registered voter under the requirements of this Article 5 or is exempt under Section 5-29.01 from registration. Provided, that this Article 5 shall not apply to electors residing in cities, villages, and incorporated towns in this State which have adopted or are operating under Article 6, 14 and 18 of this Act, or to electors voting pursuant to Article 20 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-2)
Sec. 5-2. No person shall be entitled to be registered in and from any precinct unless such person shall by the date of the election next following have resided in the State and within the precinct 30 days and be otherwise qualified to vote at such election. Every applicant who shall be 18 years of age or over on the day of the next election shall be permitted to register, if otherwise qualified. To constitute residence under this Article 5 Article 3 is controlling.
(Source: P.A. 81-953.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-3)
Sec. 5-3. The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint the place of registry in each precinct for any precinct registration under Section 5-17 of this Article 5. Such place or places shall be in the most public, orderly and convenient portions thereof; and no building or part of a building shall be designated or used as a place of registry, in which spirituous or intoxicating liquor is sold. The County Clerk may demand of the Chief of Police of each city, village or incorporated town, or the Sheriff to furnish officers of the law to attend during the progress of any registration at any place or places of registration designated by the County Commissioners.
Such officers of the law shall be furnished by the Chief of Police or Sheriff and shall be stationed in the place or places of registration in such manner as the County Clerk shall direct, and during such assignment shall be under the direction and control of the County Clerk.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 1200.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-4)
Sec. 5-4. The County Clerk shall be ex-officio the registration officer of such county and shall have full charge and control of the registration of voters within such county where this Article 5 is in effect. The clerk and a duly appointed deputy clerk of each city, village, incorporated town and township in which all or any part of the territory in which this Article 5 is in effect shall be deputy registration officers.
(Source: P.A. 83-1059.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-5)
Sec. 5-5. For the purpose of registering voters under this Article 5, in addition to the method provided for precinct registration under Sections 5-6 and 5-17 of this Article 5, the office of the county clerk shall be open between 9:00 a. m. and 5:00 p. m. on all days except Saturday, Sunday and holidays, but there shall be no registration at such office during the 35 days immediately preceding any election required to be held under the law but if no precinct registration is being conducted prior to any election then registration may be taken in the office of the county clerk up to and including the 28th day prior to an election. On Saturdays, the hours of registration shall be from 9:00 a. m. to 12:00 p. m. noon. During such 35 or 27 day period, registration of electors of political subdivisions wherein a regular, or special election is required to be held shall cease and shall not be resumed for the registration of electors of such political subdivisions until the second day following the day of such election. In any election called for the submission of the revision or alteration of, or the amendments to the Constitution, submitted by a Constitutional Convention, the final day for registration at the office of the election authority charged with the printing of the ballot of this election shall be the 15th day prior to the date of the election.
Each county clerk shall appoint one deputy for the purpose of accepting the registration of any voter who files an affidavit that he is physically unable to appear at any appointed place of registration. The county clerk shall designate a deputy to visit each person with a disability and shall accept the registration of each such person as if he had applied for registration at the office of the county clerk.
The offices of city, village, incorporated town and town clerks shall also be open for the purpose of registering voters residing in the territory in which this Article is in effect, and also, in the case of city, village and incorporated town clerks, for the purpose of registering voters residing in a portion of the city, village or incorporated town not located within the county, on all days on which the office of the county clerk is open for the registration of voters of such cities, villages, incorporated towns and townships.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-6)
Sec. 5-6. Subject to the provisions of Section 5-19 of this Article 5, in addition to the registration authorized at the offices of the County Clerk, city clerk, town clerk, incorporated town clerk and village clerk under Section 5-5 of this Article 5, and that provided by Section 5-17 of this Article 5, there shall be three days of re-registration in each precinct as established by the Board of County Commissioners for county and township elections. The first of said three days of re-registration shall be Friday, September 15, 1961; the second of said three days of re-registration shall be Friday, October 13, 1961 and the third of said three days of re-registration shall be Tuesday, March 13, 1962. On each of the said three days of re-registration the registration places shall open at eight o’clock a. m. and remain open until nine o’clock p. m. It shall be the duty of the County Board to appoint the place of registry in each precinct and the provisions of Section 5-3 of this Article 5 shall apply thereto.
The re-registration provided by this Article 5 shall constitute a permanent registration subject to revision and alteration in the manner hereinafter provided. All registrations shall be upon registration record cards provided by the County Clerk in accordance with the provisions of this Article 5.
Immediately following the first day of precinct re-registration in 1961, all permanent registration records compiled prior to September 15, 1961, shall be destroyed if no election contest is pending in which such records are material.
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1919.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-7)
Sec. 5-7. The county clerk shall provide a sufficient number of blank forms for the registration of electors which shall be known as registration record cards and which shall consist of loose leaf sheets or cards, of suitable size to contain in plain writing and figures the data hereinafter required thereon or shall consist of computer cards of suitable nature to contain the data required thereon. The registration record cards, which shall include an affidavit of registration as hereinafter provided, shall be executed in duplicate.
The registration record card shall contain the following and such other information as the county clerk may think it proper to require for the identification of the applicant for registration:
Name. The name of the applicant, giving surname and first or Christian name in full, and the middle name or the initial for such middle name, if any.
Sex.
Residence. The name and number of the street, avenue, or other location of the dwelling, including the apartment, unit or room number, if any, and in the case of a mobile home the lot number, and such additional clear and definite description as may be necessary to determine the exact location of the dwelling of the applicant, including post-office mailing address. In the case of a homeless individual, the individual’s voting residence that is his or her mailing address shall be included on his or her registration record card.
Term of residence in the State of Illinois and the precinct. Which questions may be answered by the applicant stating, in excess of 30 days in the State and in excess of 30 days in the precinct.
Nativity. The State or country in which the applicant was born.
Citizenship. Whether the applicant is native born or naturalized. If naturalized, the court, place and date of naturalization.
Date of application for registration, i.e., the day, month and year when applicant presented himself for registration.
Age. Date of birth, by month, day and year.
Physical disability of the applicant, if any, at the time of registration, which would require assistance in voting.
The county and state in which the applicant was last registered.
Electronic mail address, if any.
Signature of voter. The applicant, after the registration and in the presence of a deputy registrar or other officer of registration shall be required to sign his or her name in ink or digitized form to the affidavit on the original and duplicate registration record card.
Signature of Deputy Registrar.
In case applicant is unable to sign his name, he may affix his mark to the affidavit. In such case the officer empowered to give the registration oath shall write a detailed description of the applicant in the space provided at the bottom of the card or sheet; and shall ask the following questions and record the answers thereto:
Father’s first name …………………..
Mother’s first name …………………..
From what address did you last register?
Reason for inability to sign name.
Each applicant for registration shall make an affidavit in substantially the following form:
AFFIDAVIT OF REGISTRATION
State of Illinois)
)ss
County of )
I hereby swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States; that on the date of the next election I shall have resided in the State of Illinois and in the election precinct in which I reside 30 days; that I am fully qualified to vote. That I intend that this location shall be my residence and that the above statements are true.
…………………………
(His or her signature or mark)
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
…………………………………..
Signature of Registration Officer.
(To be signed in presence of Registrant.)

Space shall be provided upon the face of each registration record card for the notation of the voting record of the person registered thereon.
Each registration record card shall be numbered according to towns and precincts, wards, cities and villages, as the case may be, and may be serially or otherwise marked for identification in such manner as the county clerk may determine.
The registration cards shall be deemed public records and shall be open to inspection during regular business hours, except during the 27 days immediately preceding any election. On written request of any candidate or objector or any person intending to object to a petition, the election authority shall extend its hours for inspection of registration cards and other records of the election authority during the period beginning with the filing of petitions under Sections 7-10, 8-8, 10-6 or 28-3 and continuing through the termination of electoral board hearings on any objections to petitions containing signatures of registered voters in the jurisdiction of the election authority. The extension shall be for a period of hours sufficient to allow adequate opportunity for examination of the records but the election authority is not required to extend its hours beyond the period beginning at its normal opening for business and ending at midnight. If the business hours are so extended, the election authority shall post a public notice of such extended hours. Registration record cards may also be inspected, upon approval of the officer in charge of the cards, during the 27 days immediately preceding any election. Registration record cards shall also be open to inspection by certified judges and poll watchers and challengers at the polling place on election day, but only to the extent necessary to determine the question of the right of a person to vote or to serve as a judge of election. At no time shall poll watchers or challengers be allowed to physically handle the registration record cards.
Updated copies of computer tapes or computer discs or other electronic data processing information containing voter registration information shall be furnished by the county clerk within 10 days after December 15 and May 15 each year and within 10 days after each registration period is closed to the State Board of Elections in a form prescribed by the Board. For the purposes of this Section, a registration period is closed 27 days before the date of any regular or special election. Registration information shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: name, sex, residence, telephone number, if any, age, party affiliation, if applicable, precinct, ward, township, county, and representative, legislative and congressional districts. In the event of noncompliance, the State Board of Elections is directed to obtain compliance forthwith with this nondiscretionary duty of the election authority by instituting legal proceedings in the circuit court of the county in which the election authority maintains the registration information. The costs of furnishing updated copies of tapes or discs shall be paid at a rate of $.00034 per name of registered voters in the election jurisdiction, but not less than $50 per tape or disc and shall be paid from appropriations made to the State Board of Elections for reimbursement to the election authority for such purpose. The State Board shall furnish copies of such tapes, discs, other electronic data or compilations thereof to state political committees registered pursuant to the Illinois Campaign Finance Act or the Federal Election Campaign Act and to governmental entities, at their request and at a reasonable cost. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of voter registration information, the disclosure of electronic voter registration records to any person or entity other than to a State or local political committee and other than to a governmental entity for a governmental purpose is specifically prohibited except as follows: subject to security measures adopted by the State Board of Elections which, at a minimum, shall include the keeping of a catalog or database, available for public view, including the name, address, and telephone number of the person viewing the list as well as the time of that viewing, any person may view the centralized statewide voter registration list on a computer screen at the Springfield office of the State Board of Elections, during normal business hours other than during the 27 days before an election, but the person viewing the list under this exception may not print, duplicate, transmit, or alter the list. Copies of the tapes, discs or other electronic data shall be furnished by the county clerk to local political committees and governmental entities at their request and at a reasonable cost. Reasonable cost of the tapes, discs, et cetera for this purpose would be the cost of duplication plus 15% for administration. The individual representing a political committee requesting copies of such tapes shall make a sworn affidavit that the information shall be used only for bona fide political purposes, including by or for candidates for office or incumbent office holders. Such tapes, discs or other electronic data shall not be used under any circumstances by any political committee or individuals for purposes of commercial solicitation or other business purposes. If such tapes contain information on county residents related to the operations of county government in addition to registration information, that information shall not be used under any circumstances for commercial solicitation or other business purposes. The prohibition in this Section against using the computer tapes or computer discs or other electronic data processing information containing voter registration information for purposes of commercial solicitation or other business purposes shall be prospective only from the effective date of this amended Act of 1979. Any person who violates this provision shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.
The State Board of Elections shall promulgate, by October 1, 1987, such regulations as may be necessary to ensure uniformity throughout the State in electronic data processing of voter registration information. The regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, specifications for uniform medium, communications protocol and file structure to be employed by the election authorities of this State in the electronic data processing of voter registration information. Each election authority utilizing electronic data processing of voter registration information shall comply with such regulations on and after May 15, 1988.
If the applicant for registration was last registered in another county within this State, he shall also sign a certificate authorizing cancellation of the former registration. The certificate shall be in substantially the following form:
To the County Clerk of …. County, Illinois. To the Election Commission of the City of …., Illinois.
This is to certify that I am registered in your (county) (city) and that my residence was …..
Having moved out of your (county) (city), I hereby authorize you to cancel said registration in your office.
Dated at …. Illinois, on (insert date).
………………..
(Signature of Voter)
Attest ……, County Clerk, …….. County, Illinois.
The cancellation certificate shall be mailed immediately by the county clerk to the county clerk (or election commission as the case may be) where the applicant was formerly registered. Receipt of such certificate shall be full authority for cancellation of any previous registration.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 10-1-13; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-7.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-7.01)
Sec. 5-7.01. If an applicant for registration reports a permanent physical disability which would require assistance in voting, the county clerk shall mark all his registration cards in the right margin on the front of the card with a band of ink running the full margin which shall be of contrast to, and easily distinguishable from, the color of the card. If an applicant for registration declares upon properly witnessed oath, with his signature or mark affixed, that he cannot read the English language and that he will require assistance in voting, all his registration cards shall be marked in a manner similar to the marking on the cards of a voter who requires assistance because of physical disability, except that the marking shall be of a different distinguishing color. Following each election the cards of any voter who has requested assistance as a voter with a disability, and has stated that the disability is permanent, or who has received assistance because of inability to read the English language, shall be marked in the same manner.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-7.02) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-7.02)
Sec. 5-7.02. Upon the issuance of a voter’s identification card for persons with disabilities as provided in Section 19-12.1, the county clerk shall cause the identification number of such card to be clearly noted on all the registration cards of such voter.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-7.03) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-7.03)
Sec. 5-7.03. The State Board of Elections shall design a registration record card which, except as otherwise provided in this Section, shall be used in triplicate by all election authorities in the State, except those election authorities adopting a computer-based voter registration file authorized under Section 5-43. The Board shall prescribe the form and specifications, including but not limited to the weight of paper, color and print of such cards. Such cards shall contain boxes or spaces for the information required under Sections 5-7 and 5-28.1 of this Code; provided, that such cards shall also contain a box or space for the applicant’s social security number, which shall be required to the extent allowed by law but in no case shall the applicant provide fewer than the last 4 digits of the social security number, and a box for the applicant’s telephone number, if available.
Except for those election authorities adopting a computer-based voter registration file authorized under Section 5-43, the original and duplicate cards shall respectively constitute the master file and precinct binder registration records of the voter. A copy shall be given to the applicant upon completion of his or her registration or completed transfer of registration.
Whenever a voter moves to another precinct within the same election jurisdiction or to another election jurisdiction in the State, such voter may transfer his or her registration by presenting his or her copy to the election authority or a deputy registrar. If such voter is not in possession of or has lost his or her copy, he or she may effect a transfer of registration by executing an Affidavit of Cancellation of Previous Registration. In the case of a transfer of registration to a new election jurisdiction, the election authority shall transmit the voter’s copy or such affidavit to the election authority of the voter’s former election jurisdiction, which shall immediately cause the transmission of the voter’s previous registration card to the voter’s new election authority. No transfer of registration to a new election jurisdiction shall be complete until the voter’s old election authority receives notification.
Deputy registrars shall return all copies of registration record cards or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration to the election authority by first-class mail within 2 business days or personal delivery within 7 days after the receipt thereof, except that such copies or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration received by the deputy registrars between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the election authority within 48 hours after receipt. The deputy registrars shall return the copies or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration received by them on the 28th day preceding an election to the election authority within 24 hours after receipt thereof.
(Source: P.A. 97-81, eff. 7-5-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-8)
Sec. 5-8. The County Clerk shall supply Deputy Registrars, Officers of Registration and Judges of Registration with registration forms and shall fully instruct them in their duties. Each Deputy Registrar, Officer of Registration and Judge of Registration shall receipt to the County Clerk for all blank registration records issued to them, specifying therein the number of blanks received by them, and each Deputy Registrar, Officer of Registration and Judge of Registration shall be charged with such blanks until he returns them to the County Clerk. If for any cause a blank registration record card is mutilated or rendered unfit for use in making it out, or if a mistake therein has been made, such blank shall not be destroyed, but the word “mutilated” shall be written across the face of such blank, and such blank shall be returned to the County Clerk and shall be preserved in the same manner and for the same length of time as mutilated ballots. When each 1961 and 1962 precinct re-registration shall have been completed, a Deputy Registrar or Judge of Registration shall return all registration record cards to the County Clerk whether such cards have been filled out, executed or whether they are unused, or whether they have been mutilated. A Deputy Registrar, or Judge of Registration for precinct registration shall make personal delivery of the registration records to the County Clerk, after the close of each precinct registration. Each Deputy Registrar and Judge of Registration shall certify the registration records in substantially the following form:
“We, the undersigned Deputy Registrars and Judge of Registration in the County of …. in the State of Illinois, do swear (or affirm) that at the registration of electors on the …. day of …. there was registered by us in the said election precinct the names which appear on the registration records, and that the number of voters registered and qualified was and is the number …..
…. (Judge of Registration)
…. (Deputy Registrar)
…. (Deputy Registrar)
Date …..”
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1919.)

(10 ILCS 5/5-8.5)
Sec. 5-8.5. Deputy registrar eligibility. Unless otherwise provided by law, an individual who is 17 years old or older who is registered to vote in this State shall be eligible to serve as a deputy registrar.
(Source: P.A. 99-722, eff. 8-5-16; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-9)
Sec. 5-9. Except as herein provided, no person shall be registered unless he applies in person to registration officer, answers such relevant questions as may be asked of him by the registration officer, and executes the affidavit of registration. The registration officer shall require the applicant to furnish two forms of identification, and except in the case of a homeless individual, one of which must include his or her residence address. These forms of identification shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following: driver’s license, social security card, public aid identification card, utility bill, employee or student identification card, lease or contract for a residence, credit card, or a civic, union or professional association membership card. The registration officer shall require a homeless individual to furnish evidence of his or her use of the mailing address stated. This use may be demonstrated by a piece of mail addressed to that individual and received at that address or by a statement from a person authorizing use of the mailing address. The registration officer shall require each applicant for registration to read or have read to him the affidavit of registration before permitting him to execute the affidavit.
One of the Deputy Registrars, the Judge of Registration, or an Officer of Registration, County Clerk, or clerk in the office of the County Clerk, shall administer to all persons who shall personally apply to register the following oath or affirmation:
“You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will fully and truly answer all such questions as shall be put to you touching your place of residence, name, place of birth, your qualifications as an elector and your right as such to register and vote under the laws of the State of Illinois.”
The Registration Officer shall satisfy himself that each applicant for registration is qualified to register before registering him. If the registration officer has reason to believe that the applicant is a resident of a Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home or any facility which is licensed or certified pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, the following question shall be put, “When you entered the home which is your present address, was it your bona fide intention to become a resident thereof?” Any voter of a township, city, village or incorporated town in which such applicant resides, shall be permitted to be present at the place of precinct registration, and shall have the right to challenge any applicant who applies to be registered.
In case the officer is not satisfied that the applicant is qualified, he shall forthwith in writing notify such applicant to appear before the County Clerk to furnish further proof of his qualifications. Upon the card of such applicant shall be written the word “Incomplete” and no such applicant shall be permitted to vote unless such registration is satisfactorily completed as hereinafter provided. No registration shall be taken and marked as “incomplete” if information to complete it can be furnished on the date of the original application.
Any person claiming to be an elector in any election precinct in such township, city, village or incorporated town and whose registration is marked “Incomplete” may make and sign an application in writing, under oath, to the County Clerk in substance in the following form:
“I do solemnly swear that I, ………., did on (insert date) make application to the Board of Registry of the …….. precinct of …….. ward of the City of …. or of the ……… District ……… Town of ………. (or to the County Clerk of ………….) and ………… County; that said Board or Clerk refused to complete my registration as a qualified voter in said precinct, that I reside in said precinct (or that I intend to reside in said precinct), am a duly qualified voter and entitled to vote in said precinct at the next election.
………………………
(Signature of Applicant)”
All such applications shall be presented to the County Clerk by the applicant, in person between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and five o’clock p.m., on Monday and Tuesday of the third week subsequent to the weeks in which the 1961 and 1962 precinct re-registrations are to be held, and thereafter for the registration provided in Section 5-17 of this Article, all such applications shall be presented to the County Clerk by the applicant in person between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and nine o’clock p.m. on Monday and Tuesday of the third week prior to the date on which such election is to be held.
Any otherwise qualified person who is absent from his county of residence either due to business of the United States or because he is temporarily outside the territorial limits of the United States may become registered by mailing an application to the county clerk within the periods of registration provided for in this Article or by simultaneous application for registration by mail and vote by mail ballot as provided in Article 20 of this Code.
Upon receipt of such application the county clerk shall immediately mail an affidavit of registration in duplicate, which affidavit shall contain the following and such other information as the State Board of Elections may think it proper to require for the identification of the applicant:
Name. The name of the applicant, giving surname and first or Christian name in full, and the middle name or the initial for such middle name, if any.
Sex.
Residence. The name and number of the street, avenue or other location of the dwelling, and such additional clear and definite description as may be necessary to determine the exact location of the dwelling of the applicant. Where the location cannot be determined by street and number, then the Section, congressional township and range number may be used, or such other information as may be necessary, including post office mailing address.
Electronic mail address, if the registrant has provided this information.
Term of residence in the State of Illinois and the precinct.
Nativity. The State or country in which the applicant was born.
Citizenship. Whether the applicant is native born or naturalized. If naturalized, the court, place and date of naturalization.
Age. Date of birth, by month, day and year.
Out of State address of ……………………..
AFFIDAVIT OF REGISTRATION
State of ………)
)ss
County of ……..)
I hereby swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States; that on the day of the next election I shall have resided in the State of Illinois for 6 months and in the election precinct 30 days; that I am fully qualified to vote, that I am not registered to vote anywhere else in the United States, that I intend to remain a resident of the State of Illinois and of the election precinct, that I intend to return to the State of Illinois, and that the above statements are true.
…………………………
(His or her signature or mark)
Subscribed and sworn to before me, an officer qualified to administer oaths, on (insert date).
………………………………….
Signature of officer administering oath.

Upon receipt of the executed duplicate affidavit of Registration, the county clerk shall transfer the information contained thereon to duplicate Registration Cards provided for in Section 5-7 of this Article and shall attach thereto a copy of each of the duplicate affidavit of registration and thereafter such registration card and affidavit shall constitute the registration of such person the same as if he had applied for registration in person.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 98-115, eff. 10-1-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-9.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-9.1)
Sec. 5-9.1. Cancelation of deceased voter’s registration. Upon establishment of an electronic reporting system for death registrations as provided in the Vital Records Act, the county clerk of the county where a decedent last resided, as indicated on the decedent’s death certificate, may issue certifications of death records from that system and may use that system to cancel the registration of any person who has died during the preceding month and cause the name of each such deceased person to be erased from the register of the precinct in which the deceased person was registered. Regardless of whether or not such a system has been established, it is the duty of the county clerk to examine monthly the records deposited in his or her office pursuant to the Vital Records Act that relate to deaths in the county, to cancel the registration of any person who has died during the preceding month and cause the name of each such deceased person to be erased from the register of the precinct in which the deceased person was registered.
(Source: P.A. 96-1484, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-10)
Sec. 5-10. The two Deputy Registrars provided by this Article 5 for re-registration in each precinct shall be the canvassers of the precinct for which they are appointed.
The County Clerk shall furnish to each Deputy Registrar a blank book which shall be named “Verification List”, each page of which shall be ruled into columns, and to be marked thus:
………………
Write name of street on this line .
………………
Names Registered
………………
House Miss Remarks
………………
Number Last Name First Name Initial Mrs. “OK,” moved or died
………………
Such book shall contain pages sufficient to allow listing of all names on registration record card by street, avenue, alley, drive, lane, road and court in the precinct in question. During the progress of the 3rd re-registration, or immediately thereafter, each Deputy Registrar shall transfer all the names upon the registration record cards to such verification list; arranging them according to streets, avenues, alleys, drives, lanes, roads or courts, beginning with the lowest residence number, and placing them numerically, as near as possible, from the lowest up to the highest number, starting each street, avenue, alley, drive, lane, road and court upon a separate sheet.
They shall first write the name of such street, avenue, alley, lane, road or court at the top of the page, and then proceed to transfer the names of such “Verification Lists” according to the street numbers as above indicated.
If, during either day of the 1961 and 1962 precinct re-registration, any registered voter of the township, city, village or incorporated town shall come before the Deputy Registrars and the Judge of Registration and make an oath that he believes that any particular person whose name has been entered upon the registry is not a qualified voter, such fact shall be noted; and after the completion of such “Verification Lists” one of the Registrars, or Judge of Registration, shall make a cross or check mark in ink opposite such name. If said Deputy Registrars or the Judge of Registration know any person so complained of is a qualified voter and believe that such complaint was made only to vex or harass such qualified voter, then such name shall be placed upon such lists without such cross or check mark, but such cross or check mark shall be placed upon such lists in case either of the Registrars or the Judge of Registration desires.
(Source: Laws 1959, p. 1919.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-11)
Sec. 5-11. Upon the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday following the last day of precinct registration, if so much time is required, the two Deputy Registrars shall go together and canvass the precinct for which they have been appointed, calling at each dwelling place as indicated upon said “Verification Lists”; and if they shall find that any person whose name appears upon their “Verification Lists” does not reside at the place designated thereupon, they shall make a notation in the column headed “Remarks” as follows: “Not Found”, “Died”, or “Moved”, as the case may be, indicating that such person does not reside at such place.
Whenever deemed necessary by the canvassers, or either of them, he or they may demand of the person having command of the police in such precinct to furnish a policeman, to accompany them and protect them in the performance of their duties; and it shall be the duty of the person having command of the police in such precinct to furnish a policeman for such purpose.
In making such canvass no person shall refuse to answer questions and give the information asked for and known to him or her, or shall wilfully and knowingly give false information, or make false statements. In making such canvass said canvassers shall make special inquiry at the residence or place designated on the said verification books, as to all persons registered as qualified voters, and shall receive information from judges of election, party canvassers, or other persons.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-12)
Sec. 5-12. Immediately upon the completion of canvass, said canvassers, or one of them, shall sign a notice and send the same through the United States mail, duly stamped, to the address given on the verification books, or in the case of homeless individuals, to their mailing address, of all persons in connection with whose names they have made a notation indicating that they do not reside at such place, which notice shall require such persons to appear before the Board of Revision, composed of said canvassers and the judge of registration, on the Monday and Tuesday following completion of the canvass, giving the time and place of such session, to show cause why his or her name should not be erased from the registry of the precinct in question. Proper blanks and postage stamps shall be furnished for this purpose to the canvassers by said County Clerk. A personal notice shall also be served by the canvassers at the time such canvass is being made, by leaving the same with the party, if found, or if he or she is not found at the place designated in such verification books, by leaving the same at such address, if there be such place. Such notice, to be sent through the mail, must be mailed not later than 10 o’clock p.m. of Thursday of the week of such canvass. If sufficient postage stamps are not delivered to the canvassers by the County Clerk for the purpose aforesaid, then anyone may furnish such postage stamps to such canvassers for the purpose or such canvassers may procure the same at their own expense and afterwards render an account therefor to the County Clerk, duly sworn to, and the County Clerk shall audit such account and cause the same to be paid by the County Treasurer. Such County Clerk, upon application, shall deliver to such canvassers postage stamps sufficient for the purpose aforesaid.
The registration officers shall make their returns to the County Clerk not later than noon of the day following the last day of the canvass of the registration provided by this Section.
The County Clerk when complaint is made to him shall investigate the action of such canvassers and shall cause them or either of them to be prosecuted criminally for such wilful neglect of duty.
(Source: P.A. 87-1241.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-13)
Sec. 5-13. The canvassers, or one of them, shall prepare a list of the names of the parties designated as aforesaid, and to whom such notice has been sent, given, or left at the address, and make and attach his, or their affidavit or affidavits thereto stating that notice, duly stamped, was mailed to each of the said parties at the places designated on said list, on or before 10 o’clock p. m. of the Thursday following the canvass, and that notice was also personally left at the said address of each of said parties named in said lists so attached, if there be such address. Blank affidavit forms shall be furnished by the County Clerk for the purpose aforesaid; but if none are furnished, such canvassers shall cause the same to be drawn, and they shall swear to such affidavit before the Judge of Registration of such precinct or County Clerk, or one of his Deputies.
Either of the canvassers shall have the power and right of both in the matter pertaining to such canvass; but in case either refuses or neglects to make such canvass as aforesaid, then the other may make such canvass alone.
In case of the temporary disability upon the part of either canvasser, the remaining canvasser shall appoint a temporary canvasser who shall represent and be affiliated with the same political party as the canvasser whose place is being filled, and shall administer to him the usual oath of office for canvassers. Such temporary canvasser shall perform all the duties of the office until the disability of the regular canvasser is removed.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-14)
Sec. 5-14. Either of the canvassers shall, at the end of the canvass, return the “Verification Lists” to the County Clerk and a certificate of the correctness of such return. Immediately after receipt of such Verification Lists, the County Clerk shall cause copies to be printed in plain large type in sufficient numbers to meet all demands, and upon application, a copy of the same shall be given to any person applying therefor. Thereafter a list of registered voters in each precinct shall be compiled by the County clerk, prior to the General Election to be held in November of each even numbered year. On the list, the County Clerk shall indicate, by italics, asterisk, or other means, the names of all persons who have registered since the last regularly scheduled election in the consolidated schedule of elections established in Section 2A-1.1 of this Act.
When the list of registered voters in each precinct is compiled, the County Clerk shall give a copy of it to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party, as such party is defined in Section 10-2 of this Act, or to the chair’s duly authorized representative. Within 30 days of the effective date of this Amendatory Act of 1983, the County Clerk shall give the list of registered voters in each precinct that was compiled prior to the general November election of 1982 to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Within 60 days after each general election the county clerk shall indicate by italics, asterisk, or other means, on the list of registered voters in each precinct, each registrant who voted at that general election, and shall provide a copy of such list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, the county clerk shall indicate by italics, asterisk, or other means, on the list of registered voters in each precinct, each registrant who voted at the general election of 1982, and shall provide a copy of such coded list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
The county clerk may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a list provided under either of the 2 preceding paragraphs.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-15)
Sec. 5-15. Any voter or voters in the township, city, village, or incorporated town containing such precinct, and any precinct committeeperson in the county, may, between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and six o’clock p.m. of the Monday and Tuesday of the third week immediately preceding the week in which such April 10, 1962 Primary Election is to be held, make application in writing, before such County Clerk, to have any name upon such register of any precinct erased. Thereafter such application shall be made between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and six o’clock p.m. of Monday and Tuesday of the second week prior to the week in which any county, city, village, township, or incorporated town election is to be held. Such application shall be in substance, in the words and figures following:
“I, being a qualified voter, registered from No. …. Street in the …. precinct of the …. Ward of the city (village or town of …. ) of the …. District …. town of …. do hereby solemnly swear (or affirm) that …. registered from No. …. Street is not a qualified voter in the …. precinct of the …. ward of the city (village or town) of …. or of the …. district town of …. hence I ask that his name be erased from the register of such precinct for the following reason ….. Affiant further says that he has personal knowledge of the facts set forth in the above affidavit.
(Signed) …..
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
….
….
….”
Such application shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant before the County Clerk or any Deputy authorized by the County Clerk for that purpose, and filed with the Clerk. Thereupon notice of such application, with a demand to appear before the County Clerk and show cause why his name shall not be erased from the register, shall be mailed by special delivery, duly stamped and directed, to such person, to the address upon said register at least 4 days before the day fixed in said notice to show cause. If such person has provided the election authority with an e-mail address, then the election authority shall also send the same notice by electronic mail at least 4 days before the day fixed in said notice to show cause.
A like notice shall be mailed to the person or persons making the application to have the name upon such register erased to appear and show cause why the name should be erased, the notice to set out the day and hour of such hearing. If the voter making such application fails to appear before the Clerk at the time set for the hearing as fixed in the said notice or fails to show cause why the name upon such register shall be erased, the application may be dismissed by the County Clerk.
Any voter making such application or applications shall be privileged from arrest while presenting the same to the County Clerk and while going to and returning from the office of the County Clerk.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-16)
Sec. 5-16. A docket of all applications to the County Clerk, whether such application shall be made for the purpose of being registered, or restored, or for the purpose of erasing a name on the register or for completing registration shall be made out in the order of the towns, wards, districts, precincts as the case may be. The County Clerk shall sit to hear such applications between the hours of ten o’clock a. m. and nine o’clock p. m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the third week preceding the week in which such April 10, 1962 Primary Election is to be held, and thereafter the County Clerk shall sit to hear such applications between the hours of ten o’clock a. m. and nine o’clock p. m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the second week prior to the week in which any county, city, town, village or incorporated town election is to be held. At the request of either party to such applications, the Clerk shall issue subpoenas to witnesses to appear at such hearings, and witnesses may be sworn and examined upon the hearing of said applications. Each person appearing in response to an application to have a name erased shall deliver to the County Clerk a written affidavit, which shall be, in substance, in the words and figures following:
“I do solemnly swear that I am a citizen of the United States; that I do reside and have resided in the State of Illinois since the …. day of …. and in the county of …. in said State, since the …. day of …. and in the …. precinct of the …. ward, in the city, village or incorporated town of …. or in the …. district town of …. in said county and State, since the …. day of …. and that I am …. years of age; that I am the identical person registered in said precinct under the name I subscribe hereto.”
This answer shall be signed and sworn to or affirmed before any person authorized to administer oaths or affirmations. The decision on each application shall be announced at once after hearing, and a minute made thereof, and when an application to be registered or to be restored to such register or to complete registration shall be allowed, the said County Clerk shall cause a minute to be made upon the original and duplicate registration records withdrawn.
All applications under this Section and hearings as hereinafter provided may be heard by deputy county clerks specially designated by the County Clerk for this purpose, and a decision by such deputies so designated, shall become the decision of the County Clerk, upon approval by the County Clerk.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-16.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-16.1)
Sec. 5-16.1. In addition to registration at the office of the county clerk and at the offices of municipal and township clerks, each county subject to this Article shall provide for the following methods of registration:
(1) The appointment of deputy registrars as provided in Section 5-16.2;
(2) The establishment of temporary places of registration as provided in Section 5-16.3.
Each county subject to this Article may provide for precinct registration pursuant to Section 5-17.
(Source: P.A. 83-1059.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-16.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-16.2)
Sec. 5-16.2. (a) The county clerk shall appoint all municipal and township clerks or their duly authorized deputies as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of all qualified residents of the State.
The county clerk shall appoint all precinct committeepersons in the county as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State, except during the 27 days preceding an election.
The county clerk shall appoint each of the following named persons as deputy registrars upon the written request of such persons:

1. The chief librarian, or a qualified person designated by the chief librarian, of any public library situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State, at such library.

2. The principal, or a qualified person designated by the principal, of any high school, elementary school, or vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State, at such school. The county clerk shall notify every principal and vice-principal of each high school, elementary school, and vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction of their eligibility to serve as deputy registrars and offer training courses for service as deputy registrars at conveniently located facilities at least 4 months prior to every election.

3. The president, or a qualified person designated by the president, of any university, college, community college, academy or other institution of learning situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State, at such university, college, community college, academy or institution.

4. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide labor organization, or a reasonable number of qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State.

5. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide State civic organization, as defined and determined by rule of the State Board of Elections, or qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State. In determining the number of deputy registrars that shall be appointed, the county clerk shall consider the population of the jurisdiction, the size of the organization, the geographic size of the jurisdiction, convenience for the public, the existing number of deputy registrars in the jurisdiction and their location, the registration activities of the organization and the need to appoint deputy registrars to assist and facilitate the registration of non-English speaking individuals. In no event shall a county clerk fix an arbitrary number applicable to every civic organization requesting appointment of its members as deputy registrars. The State Board of Elections shall by rule provide for certification of bona fide State civic organizations. Such appointments shall be made for a period not to exceed 2 years, terminating on the first business day of the month following the month of the general election, and shall be valid for all periods of voter registration as provided by this Code during the terms of such appointments.

6. The Director of Healthcare and Family Services, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at public aid offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such public aid office.

7. The Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at unemployment offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such unemployment office.

8. The president of any corporation as defined by the Business Corporation Act of 1983, or a reasonable number of employees designated by such president, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State.

If the request to be appointed as deputy registrar is denied, the county clerk shall, within 10 days after the date the request is submitted, provide the affected individual or organization with written notice setting forth the specific reasons or criteria relied upon to deny the request to be appointed as deputy registrar.

The county clerk may appoint as many additional deputy registrars as he considers necessary. The county clerk shall appoint such additional deputy registrars in such manner that the convenience of the public is served, giving due consideration to both population concentration and area. Some of the additional deputy registrars shall be selected so that there are an equal number from each of the 2 major political parties in the election jurisdiction. The county clerk, in appointing an additional deputy registrar, shall make the appointment from a list of applicants submitted by the Chair of the County Central Committee of the applicant’s political party. A Chair of a County Central Committee shall submit a list of applicants to the county clerk by November 30 of each year. The county clerk may require a Chair of a County Central Committee to furnish a supplemental list of applicants.

Deputy registrars may accept registrations at any time other than the 27 day period preceding an election. All persons appointed as deputy registrars shall be registered voters within the county and shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of deputy registrar to the best of my ability and that I will register no person nor cause the registration of any person except upon his personal application before me.

………………………….
(Signature of Deputy Registrar)”

This oath shall be administered by the county clerk, or by one of his deputies, or by any person qualified to take acknowledgement of deeds and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the county clerk.
Appointments of deputy registrars under this Section, except precinct committeepersons, shall be for 2-year terms, commencing on December 1 following the general election of each even-numbered year, except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be until December 1st following the next general election. Appointments of precinct committeepersons shall be for 2-year terms commencing on the date of the county convention following the general primary at which they were elected. The county clerk shall issue a certificate of appointment to each deputy registrar, and shall maintain in his office for public inspection a list of the names of all appointees.

(b) The county clerk shall be responsible for training all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a), at times and locations reasonably convenient for both the county clerk and such appointees. The county clerk shall be responsible for certifying and supervising all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a). Deputy registrars appointed under subsection (a) shall be subject to removal for cause.

(c) Completed registration materials under the control of deputy registrars, appointed pursuant to subsection (a), shall be returned to the appointing election authority by first-class mail within 2 business days or personal delivery within 7 days, except that completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars during the period between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the appointing election authority within 48 hours after receipt thereof. The completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars on the 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars within 24 hours after receipt thereof. Unused materials shall be returned by deputy registrars appointed pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection (a), not later than the next working day following the close of registration.

(d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must provide any additional forms requested by any deputy registrar regardless of the number of unaccounted registration forms the deputy registrar may have in his or her possession.

(e) No deputy registrar shall engage in any electioneering or the promotion of any cause during the performance of his or her duties.

(f) The county clerk shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the acts or omissions of any deputy registrar. Such deputy registers shall not be deemed to be employees of the county clerk.

(g) Completed registration materials returned by deputy registrars for persons residing outside the county shall be transmitted by the county clerk within 2 days after receipt to the election authority of the person’s election jurisdiction of residence.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-16.3) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-16.3)
Sec. 5-16.3. The county clerk may establish temporary places of registration for such times and at such locations within the county as the county clerk may select. Notice of time and place of registration at any such temporary place of registration under this Section shall be published by the county clerk in a newspaper having a general circulation in the county not less than 3 nor more than 15 days before the holding of such registration.
Temporary places of registration shall be established so that the areas of concentration of population or use by the public are served, whether by facilities provided in places of private business or in public buildings or in mobile units. Areas which may be designated as temporary places of registration include, but are not limited to, facilities licensed or certified pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Homes, shopping centers, business districts, public buildings and county fairs.
Temporary places of registration shall be available to the public not less than 2 hours per year for each 1,000 population or fraction thereof in the county.
All temporary places of registration shall be manned by deputy county clerks or deputy registrars appointed pursuant to Section 5-16.2.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-17)
Sec. 5-17. If the county clerk determines, as provided in Section 5-16.1, to have precinct registration in the county, the board of county commissioners shall, prior to any general state election held in the month of November of any even numbered year designate a day or days and shall designate convenient places in the townships or cities or villages or incorporated towns for registration of voters. Such day or days shall not be more than 36 nor less than 28 days before such election.
The provisions of Section 5-3 of this Article shall apply to the selection of places of registration under this Section and the provisions of Section 5-3 relative to the attendance of police officers during the conduct of such registration shall also apply.
The officers of registration chosen to conduct registrations under the provisions of this Section shall be chosen by the county clerk.
In choosing officers of registration, the county clerk shall choose only persons residing in the township in which the place of registration is located. He shall choose, in each precinct, 3 officers of registration, at least one from each of the 2 major political parties. The county clerk may appoint additional officers of registration in precincts which have had sudden increases in population.
The officers so chosen shall be voters registered under the provisions of this Article 5, and shall have the same qualifications and take the same oath as required of registration officers under Section 5-4 of this Article 5, and shall be subject to the same penalties.
The places of registration designated by the board of county commissioners under the provisions of this Section shall be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on such day or days as may be specified by the board of county commissioners.
Registration under this Section shall be made in the same manner as provided for precinct registration under the provisions of this Article 5, but the canvass of registration shall be made by 2 registration officers of different political affiliations, said registration officers to be designated by the county clerk and the hearing and final revision of the registry heretofore conducted by the board of revision shall be performed by the county clerk or his deputy on the Monday and Tuesday following precinct registration. Said revision under this Section shall take place at the office of the county clerk between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
The registration officers shall make their returns to the county clerk not later than noon of the day following the last day of the canvass of registration provided by this Section.
The election authorities shall issue credentials to registration day pollwatchers in the manner and on the terms prescribed in Section 17-23 with respect to pollwatchers at elections. Registration day pollwatchers shall be allowed to see the names and addresses of the people who have registered during the course of the day.
No person shall, at any precinct registration or reregistration, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any precinct registration place or within 30 feet thereof. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any candidate from being present in or near any precinct registration place. All persons who register to vote at any precinct registration place must be residents of the precinct in which they register.
(Source: P.A. 81-1535.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-18)
Sec. 5-18. At least 20 days prior to the precinct registration under Section 5-6 of this Article 5, and at least 20 days prior to any registration that may be provided under Section 5-17 of this Article 5, the County Clerk shall publish a notice of registration, giving the dates, hours and places of registration, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county.
(Source: P.A. 79-75.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-19) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-19)
Sec. 5-19. Only persons residing within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town wherein this Article 5 is in effect, shall be permitted to register in the office of the clerk of the respective city, village or incorporated town in which they reside and then only during the periods provided by Section 5-5 of this Article 5.
Within 24 hours after a person has registered in the office of the clerk of a city, village or incorporated town, the said clerk shall transmit by mail or cause to be delivered to the County Clerk the original and duplicate registration cards of the person who has registered in his office.
Only persons who reside within the limits of a town in a county wherein this Article 5 is in effect shall be permitted to register in the office of the town clerk of the respective towns in which they reside and then only during the periods provided by Section 5-5 of this Article 5.
Within 24 hours after a person not residing within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town has registered in the office of a town clerk, the town clerk shall transmit by mail or cause to be delivered to the county clerk the original and duplicate cards of the person who has registered in his office. Within 24 hours after a person who resides within the limits of a city, village or incorporated town has registered in the office of a town clerk, the town clerk shall transmit by mail or cause to be delivered the original and duplicate cards of the person so registered to the county clerk.
Any person residing in the territory wherein this Article 5 is in effect, may register in the office of the county clerk during the hours, and within the periods provided by Section 5-5 of this Article 5.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-20) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-20)
Sec. 5-20. Registrations under the above section shall be made in the manner provided by sections 5-7 and 5-9, but electors whose registrations are marked “Incomplete” may make the applications provided by section 5-9 only on Monday and Tuesday of the third week prior to the week in which the election for officers, for which they are permitted to vote, is to be held. The subsequent procedure with reference to said cards shall be the same as that provided for voters registering under section 5-19 except that the election referred to shall be the election at which the applicant would be permitted to vote if otherwise qualified.
(Source: Laws 1949, p. 855.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-21) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-21)
Sec. 5-21. To each person who registers at the office of the county, city, village, incorporated town or town clerk, or any place designated by the Board of County Commissioners under Section 5-17 of Article 5 and within five days thereafter, the election authority shall send by mail, and electronic mail if the registrant has provided the election authority with an e-mail address, a notice setting forth the elector’s name and address as it appears on the registration record card, and shall request him in case of any error to present the notice on or before the seventh day next ensuing at the office of the election authority in order to secure the correction of the error. Such notice shall contain on the outside a request for the postmaster to return it within five days if it cannot be delivered to the addressee at the address given thereon. Upon the return by the post office of such notice which it has been unable to deliver at the given address because the addressee cannot be found there, a notice shall be at once sent through the United States mail to such person at the address appearing upon his registration record card requiring him to appear before the election authority, within five days, to answer questions touching his right to register. If the person notified fails to appear at the election authority’s office within five days as directed or if he appears and fails to prove his right to register, the election authority shall cancel his registration.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 10-1-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-22) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-22)
Sec. 5-22. As soon as possible after the precinct registration held under section 5-6 and again after the registrations provided by section 5-17 of this article 5, the County Clerk shall require all city, village and incorporated town clerks to call at his office and shall give written and verbal instructions relative to duties under this article 5 to all city, village and incorporated town clerks, and shall also supply them with, and get their receipts for blank registration cards to enable them to perform their duties with respect to the registration of voters in their offices under section 5-19 of this article 5.
As soon as possible after the precinct registration held under section 5-6 of this article, the County Clerk shall require all town clerks to appear at his office at which time he shall give them verbal and written instructions relative to their duties under this article 5, and at the same time he shall also supply them with and get their receipts for blank registration cards to enable them to perform their duties with respect to the registration of voters in their offices under section 5-19 of this article 5.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-23)
Sec. 5-23. Any registered voter who changes his residence from one address, number or place to another within the same county wherein this Article 5 is in effect, may have his registration transferred to his new address by making and signing an application for such change of residence upon a form to be provided by the county clerk. Such application must be made to the office of the county clerk. In case the person is unable to sign his name the county clerk shall require such person to execute the request in the presence of the county clerk or of his properly authorized representative, by his mark, and if satisfied of the identity of the person, the county clerk shall make the transfer.
Upon receipt of such application, the county clerk, or one of his employees deputized to take registrations shall cause the signature of the voter and the data appearing upon the application to be compared with the signature and data on the registration record, and if it appears that the applicant is the same person as the party previously registered under that name the transfer shall be made.
Transfer of registration under the provisions of this section may not be made within the period when the county clerk’s office is closed to registration prior to an election at which such voter would be entitled to vote.
Any registered voter who changes his or her name by marriage or otherwise, shall be required to register anew and authorize the cancellation of the previous registration; provided, however, that if the change of name takes place within a period during which such new registration cannot be made, next preceding any election or primary, the elector may, if otherwise qualified, vote upon making the following affidavit before the judges of election:
I do solemnly swear that I am the same person now registered in the …. precinct of the …. ward of the city of …. or …. District Town of …. under the name of …. and that I still reside in said precinct or district.
(Signed) ….
If the voter whose name has changed still resides in the same precinct, the voter may vote after making the affidavit at the polling place regardless of when the change of name occurred. In that event, the affidavit shall not state that the voter is required to register; the affidavit shall be treated by the election authority as authorization to cancel the registration under the former name, and the election authority shall register the voter under his or her current name.
Suitable forms for this purpose shall be provided by the county clerk. The form in all cases shall be similar to the form furnished by the county clerk for county and state elections.
The precinct election officials shall report to the county clerk the names and addresses of all such persons who have changed their addresses and voted. The city, village, town and incorporated town clerks shall within five days after every election report to the county clerk the names and addresses of the persons reported to them as having voted by affidavit as in this Section provided.
The county clerk may obtain information from utility companies, city, village, town and incorporated town records, the post office or from other sources regarding the removal of registered voters and notify such voters that a transfer of registration may be made in the manner provided by this Section.
If any person be registered by error in a precinct other than that in which he resides the county clerk shall be empowered to transfer his registration to the proper precinct.
Where a revision or rearrangement of precincts is made by the board of county commissioners, the county clerk shall immediately transfer to the proper precinct the registration of any voter affected by such revision or rearrangement of the precincts; make the proper notations on the registration cards of a voter affected by the revision of registration and shall notify the registrant of such change.
(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-24) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-24)
Sec. 5-24. Following the general election occurring in November of 1944 and following the November election every four years thereafter, the county clerk shall examine the registration record and shall send to every voter who has not voted during the preceding four years a notice through the mails, substantially as follows:
Notice of Suspension of Registration:
“You are hereby notified that your registration will be cancelled according to law for failure to vote during the last four years, unless you apply for reinstatement within thirty days. You may reinstate your registration by signing the statement below and returning it to this office or by making application to do so.”
Application for Reinstatement of Registration:
“I do hereby certify that I still reside at the address from which I am registered and apply for reinstatement of my registration.
Signed ….
Present address ….
Date ….”
In case the elector is unable to sign his name, the application for reinstatement shall be made at the office of the county clerk, or in the case of an elector, absent from the county of his residence, it shall be made before the clerk of a court of record in the county in which the elector is temporarily detained.
After the expiration of thirty days the county clerk shall cancel the registration of all electors thus notified who have not applied for reinstatement.
A proper entry shall be made on the registration record for all electors whose registrations are reinstated. Any elector whose registration has been cancelled for failure to vote may register again by making the application therefor in the manner provided by this article 5.
When a registration is cancelled under this or other sections of this article 5, a proper entry shall be made on the registration cards by the county clerk.
The county clerk shall, however, keep the cancelled cards in a suspense file for 2 years and reinstate them at any time within such 2 year suspense period, when a person’s registration is cancelled under this or other Sections of this Article for failure to apply for reinstatement or to appear in proper time, and there is sufficient subsequent showing that he is a duly qualified elector.
(Source: P.A. 81-155.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-25) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-25)
Sec. 5-25. The county clerk on his own initiative or upon order of the board of county commissioners shall at all times have authority to conduct investigation and to make canvasses of the registered voters in any precinct canvass or at other times and by other methods than those so prescribed. However, the county clerk shall conduct a verification of voter registrations at least once in every 2 years, and shall cause the cancellation of registration of persons who have ceased to be qualified voters. Such verification shall be accomplished by one of the following methods: (1) precinct canvass conducted by 2 qualified persons of opposite party affiliation appointed by the county clerk or (2) written request for verification sent to each registered voter by first class mail, not forwardable or (3) an alternative method of verification submitted in writing to and approved by the State Board of Elections at a public meeting not less than 60 days prior to the date which the county clerk has fixed for implementation of that method of verification; provided, that the county clerk shall submit to the State Board of Elections a written statement of the results obtained by use of such alternative method within 30 days of completion of the verification. In each precinct one canvasser may be appointed from outside such precinct if not enough other qualified persons who reside within the precinct can be found to serve as canvasser in such precinct. The one canvasser so appointed to serve in any precinct in which he is not entitled to vote prior to the election must be entitled to vote elsewhere within the ward or township which includes within its boundaries the precinct in which such canvasser is appointed and such canvasser must be otherwise qualified. If upon the basis of investigation or canvasses, the county clerk shall be of the opinion that any person registered under this Article 5 is not a qualified voter or has ceased to be a qualified voter, he shall send a notice through the United States mail to such person, requiring him to appear before the county clerk for a hearing within ten days after the date of mailing such notice and show cause why his registration shall not be cancelled. If such person fails to appear within such time as provided, his registration shall be cancelled. If such a person does appear, he shall make an affidavit similar in every respect to the affidavit required of applicants under Section 5-16 of this Article 5.
(Source: P.A. 81-1535.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-25.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-25.01)
Sec. 5-25.01. Each registered voter lacking a permanent abode shall be canvassed by the county clerk before each election. The canvass shall be by mail sent not later than 49 days preceding the election to the mailing address listed on the voter’s registration record card. The clerk shall include in the mailing a postage prepaid return postcard. The voter must certify on the postcard his or her continued residence at the registration address and mail the postcard back to the clerk so that it is postmarked no later than the 26th day preceding the election.
If an application for registration is presented within the 49 day period preceding an election, then this Section shall not apply and the provisions of this Article with respect to the mailing of a verification of a registration notice shall be a canvass, except that such notice shall be mailed to the registrant’s mailing address.
(Source: P.A. 87-1241.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-25.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-25.1)
Sec. 5-25.1. In any county in which there is a municipality under the jurisdiction of a board of election commissioners, the county clerk and his appointed deputy registrars shall accept the registration of qualified persons residing within such municipality and shall transmit the completed registration to the board of election commissioners prior to the close of registration before an election.
(Source: P.A. 83-1059.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-26) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-26)
Sec. 5-26. If either of the original or duplicate registration cards, or all of any elector shall be lost, destroyed or mutilated in whole or in part, the county clerk shall prepare 2 new registration cards, an original and a duplicate and shall require the execution of a new registration affidavit by such elector, and if any such elector shall refuse to execute such affidavit within thirty days after the mailing of a notice to such elector at the last address from which he has registered, then the registration of such elector shall be cancelled. If either the original or duplicate registration cards, of all registered voters of a city, village or incorporated town, township or any ward, or precinct thereof, shall be lost or destroyed, the county clerk shall require a re-registration of electors of such city, village or incorporated town, township, ward or precinct and the same provisions as required for any registration under section 5-17 of this article 5 shall apply to such re-registration.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-28) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-28)
Sec. 5-28. The original registration record cards shall remain permanently in the office of the county clerk or election authority except as destroyed as provided in Section 5-6; shall be filed alphabetically without regard to precincts; and shall be known as the master file. The master file may be kept in a computer-based voter registration file or paper format, provided a secondary digital back-up is kept off site. The digital file shall be searchable and remain current with all registration activity conducted by the county clerk or election authority. The duplicate registration record cards shall constitute the official registry of voters for all elections and shall be filed by precincts and townships. The duplicate cards for use in conducting elections shall be delivered to the judges of election by the county clerk in a suitable binder or other device, which shall be locked and sealed in accordance with the directions to be given by the county clerk and shall also be suitably indexed for convenient use by the precinct officers. The precinct files shall be delivered to the judges of election for use at the polls for elections at the same time as the official ballots are delivered to them, and shall be returned to the county clerk by the judges of election within the time provided for the return of the official ballots. The county clerk shall determine the manner of return and delivery of such file.
(Source: P.A. 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-28.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-28.1)
Sec. 5-28.1. For use in connection with referenda and the nonpartisan and consolidated elections, each election authority shall maintain permanent records of the boundaries of all political subdivisions partially or wholly within its jurisdiction and any districts thereof, and shall maintain permanent records indicating by tax extension number code for each registered voter the political subdivisions and any districts thereof in which that voter resides. Such records may be kept on the registration record cards or on separate registration lists, or if a method other than record coding by tax extension number is adopted by an election authority, such method shall be, approved by the State Board of Elections. Each political subdivision must, no later than 5 days after any redistricting, annexation, disconnection or other boundary change is adopted, give notice of any such adoption and the effective date of such act to each election authority having election jurisdiction over any of its former or new territory.
Each election authority must make available to election judges for use on election day, records indicating by tax extension number code or other method approval by the State Board of Elections for each registered voter, the political subdivisions in which that voter resides. For the purposes of election day use by election judges, such records must be kept on the registration record cards or on separate registration lists.
(Source: P.A. 84-861.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-29) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-29)
Sec. 5-29. Upon application to vote, except as hereinafter provided for absent electors, each registered elector shall sign his name or make his mark as the case may be, on a certificate substantially as follows:
“Certificate of Registered Voter
Town of…………….District or Precinct Number……….;
City of…………….Ward……………Precinct……….;
Village of…………………………..Precinct……….;
Election……………………………………………..
(date) (month) (year)
Registration record
Checked by…………………
Voter’s number………………
Instruction to voters
Sign this certificate and hand it to the election officer in charge. After the registration record has been checked, the officer will hand it back to you. Whereupon you shall present it to the officer in charge of the ballots.
I hereby certify that I am registered from the address below and am qualified to vote.
Signature of voter ……………
Residence address ……………”
An individual shall not be required to provide his social security number when applying for a ballot. He shall not be denied a ballot, nor shall his ballot be challenged, solely because of his refusal to provide his social security number. Nothing in this Act prevents an individual from being requested to provide his social security number when the individual applies for a ballot. If, however, the certificate contains a space for the individual’s social security number, the following notice shall appear on the certificate, immediately above such space, in bold-face capital letters, in type the size of which equals the largest type on the certificate:
“THE INDIVIDUAL APPLYING FOR A BALLOT WITH THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE HIS OR HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. HE OR SHE MAY NOT BE DENIED A BALLOT, NOR SHALL HIS OR HER BALLOT BE CHALLENGED, SOLELY BECAUSE OF HIS OR HER REFUSAL TO PROVIDE HIS OR HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.”
Certificates as above prescribed shall be furnished by the county clerk for all elections.
The Judges in charge of the precinct registration files shall compare the signature upon such certificate with the signature on the registration record card as a means of identifying the voter. Unless satisfied by such comparison that the applicant to vote is the identical person who is registered under the same name, the Judges shall ask such applicant the questions for identification which appear on the registration card and if the applicant does not prove to the satisfaction of a majority of the judges of the election precinct that he is the identical person registered under the name in question then the vote for such applicant shall be challenged by a Judge of Election, and the same procedure followed as provided by law for challenged voters.
In case the elector is unable to sign his name, a Judge of Election shall check the data on the registration card and shall check the address given, with the registered address, in order to determine whether he is entitled to vote.
One of the Judges of election shall check the certificate of each applicant for a ballot after the registration record has been examined and shall sign his initials on the certificate in the space provided therefor, and shall enter upon such certificate the number of the voter in the place provided therefor, and make an entry in the voting record space on the registration record, to indicate whether or not the applicant voted. Such judge shall then hand such certificate back to the applicant in case he is permitted to vote, and such applicant shall hand it to the judge of election in charge of the ballots. The certificates of the voters shall be filed in the order in which they are received and shall constitute an official poll record. The term “Poll Lists” and “Poll Books” where used in this article 5 shall be construed to apply to such official poll records.
After each general primary election the county clerk shall indicate by color code or other means next to the name of each registrant on the list of registered voters in each precinct the primary ballot of a political party that the registrant requested at that general primary election. The county clerk, within 60 days after the general primary election, shall provide a copy of this coded list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, the county clerk shall provide to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative the list of registered voters in each precinct at the time of the general primary election of 1982 and shall indicate on such list by color code or other means next to the name of a registrant the primary ballot of a political party that the registrant requested at the general primary election of 1982.
The county clerk may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a list provided under either of the 2 preceding paragraphs.
Where an elector makes application to vote by signing and presenting the certificate provided by this Section, and his registration record card is not found in the precinct registry of voters, but his name appears as that of a registered voter in such precinct upon the printed precinct list of voters and whose name has not been erased or withdrawn from such register, it shall be the duty of one of the Judges of Election to require an affidavit by such person and two voters residing in the precinct before the judges of election that he is the same person whose name appears upon the precinct register and that he resides in the precinct stating the street number of his residence. Forms for such affidavit shall be supplied by the county clerk for all elections. Upon the making of such affidavit and the presentation of his certificate such elector shall be entitled to vote. All affidavits made under this paragraph shall be preserved and returned to the county clerk in an envelope. It shall be the duty of the county clerk within 30 days after such election to take steps provided by Section 5-27 of this article 5 for the execution of new registration affidavits by electors who have voted under the provisions of this paragraph.
Provided, however, that the applications for ballots made by registered voters and under the provisions of article 19 of this act shall be accepted by the Judges of Election in lieu of the “certificate of registered voter” provided for in this section.
When the county clerk delivers to the judges of election for use at the polls a supplemental or consolidated list of the printed precinct register, he shall give a copy of the supplemental or consolidated list to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Whenever two or more elections occur simultaneously, the election authority charged with the duty of providing application certificates may prescribe the form thereof so that a voter is required to execute only one, indicating in which of the elections he desires to vote.
After the signature has been verified, the judges shall determine in which political subdivisions the voter resides by use of the information contained on the voter registration cards or the separate registration lists or other means approved by the State Board of Elections and prepared and supplied by the election authority. The voter’s certificate shall be so marked by the judges as to show the respective ballots which the voter is given.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-29.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-29.01)
Sec. 5-29.01. The provisions of this Article 5, so far as they require the registration of voters as a condition to their being allowed to vote shall not apply to persons otherwise entitled to vote, who are, at the time of the election, or at any time within 60 days prior to such election, have been engaged in the military or naval service of the United States, and who appear personally at the polling place on election day and produce to the judges of election satisfactory evidence thereof, but such persons, if otherwise qualified to vote, shall be permitted to vote at such election without previous registration.
All such persons shall also make an affidavit which shall be in substantially the following form:
“State of Illinois)
)ss.
County of ……..)
………….. Precinct ………….. Ward
I, …., do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I am a citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years or over, and that within the past 60 days prior to the date of this election at which I am applying to vote, I have been engaged in the …. (military or naval) service of the United States; and I am qualified to vote under and by virtue of the Constitution and laws of the State of Illinois, and that I am a legally qualified voter of this precinct and ward except that I have, because of such service, been unable to register as a voter; that I now reside at …. (insert street and number, if any) in this precinct and ward, that I have maintained a legal residence in this precinct and ward for 30 days and in the State 30 days next preceding this election.
………………………
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
………………………
Judge of Election.”

The affidavit of any such person shall be supported by the affidavit of a resident and qualified voter of any such precinct and ward, which affidavit shall be in substantially the following form:
“State of Illinois)
)ss.
County of ……..)
…………. Precinct ……….. Ward
I, …., do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I am a resident of this precinct and ward and entitled to vote at this election; that I am acquainted with …. (name of the applicant); that I verily believe him to be an actual bona fide resident of this precinct and ward and that I verily believe that he has maintained a legal residence therein 30 days and in this State 30 days next preceding this election.
……………….
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
……………….
Judge of Election.”
The provisions of this Article 5, so far as they require the registration of voters as a condition to their being allowed to vote shall not apply to persons otherwise entitled to vote who have made and subscribed to the affidavit provided in paragraph (b) of Section 17-10 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-30) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-30)
Sec. 5-30. Upon application to vote at a general primary election each registered elector shall sign his name or mark and write his address on a certificate substantially the same as that used in the general election except that it shall have a place for party affiliation which is to be filled in by the elector, or by the officer in charge if the elector is unable to write. The certificates of each State-wide political party at a primary election shall be separately printed upon paper of uniform quality, texture and size, but the certificates of no 2 State-wide political parties shall be of the same color or tint. However, if the election authority provides computer generated applications with the precinct, ballot style and voter’s name and address preprinted on the application, a single application may be used for State-wide political parties if it contains spaces or check-off boxes to indicate the political party. Such application shall not entitle the voter to vote in the primary of more than one political party at the same election. Such applications may contain spaces or check-off boxes permitting the voter to request a primary ballot of any other political party which is established only within a political subdivision and for which a primary is conducted on the same election day. Such application shall not entitle the voter to vote in both the primary of the State-wide political party and the primary of the local political party with respect to the offices of the same political subdivision. In no event may a voter vote in more than one State-wide primary on the same day. Such certificates when checked and initialed by the Judge in charge shall constitute the primary poll record. Such certificates at the close of the election shall be placed in an envelope, sealed and returned with the ballots. Nothing herein shall be construed to conflict with sections 7-44 and 7-45 of article 7 of this act. Provided, however, that the applications for ballots made by registered voters under the provisions of article 19 of this act shall be accepted by the Judges of election in lieu of the “certificate of registered voter” provided for in this section.
(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-31) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-31)
Sec. 5-31. All challenged voters affidavits made before the judges of election under provisions of sections 5-29 and 5-30 of this article 5 shall be immediately returned to the office of the county clerk. Such affidavits, before being so returned, shall be enclosed in an envelope provided for that purpose, which shall then be securely sealed with the sealing wax or other adhesive material, and each of the judges shall write his name across the seal. No judge of election shall break the seal of, or open any envelope containing affidavits, or shall permit any person to open any such envelope or break the seal thereof while the same is in his custody. It shall be the duty of the county clerk to furnish affidavits and envelopes provided by Sections 5-29 and 5-30 of this article 5 to the judges of election for all elections.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-34) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-34)
Sec. 5-34. The official poll record provided by sections 5-29 and 5-30 of this article 5 shall constitute the poll list, and poll books shall not be kept by clerks of election. Where in this article 5, reference is made to poll lists or poll books, such reference shall hereafter apply to the official poll record.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-35) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-35)
Sec. 5-35. The officers of registration selected to conduct registrations under Section 5-17 shall be paid at the rate set out below:
Registration officers selected to conduct registration and canvass under Section 5-17 shall be paid at a rate of not less than $20 per day nor more than $30 per day, for each day designated by the County Board for any registration and canvass provided by Section 5-17, but in no case shall any such officer selected to conduct canvass be credited for less than two days’ service for each canvass.
Officers of registration selected to conduct any registration under Section 5-17 shall be compensated at the rate of 5 cents per mile for each mile actually traveled in calling at the county clerk’s office for registration cards and returning them to said officer.
The State Board of Elections shall reimburse each county for the amount of the increase in compensation under this Section provided by this amendatory Act from funds appropriated for that purpose.
(Source: P.A. 84-1308.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-36) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-36)
Sec. 5-36. In the event that the voters of any city, village or incorporated town (in any county having a population of 500,000 or more) which has adopted Articles 6, 14 and 18 of this Act (or the Act of which they are a continuation) shall reject the city election law as provided by said Article 6, it shall not be necessary for the registered voters of said city, so rejecting the city election law to register again under the provisions of this Article 5 unless they are not registered under the 1961 and 1962 re-registration provisions.
Within twenty-four hours after the Circuit Judge has entered his order declaring Articles 6, 14 and 18 of this Act rejected by the voters of any city, village, or incorporated town, it shall be the duty of the Board of Election Commissioners formerly having jurisdiction over elections held in such city, village or incorporated town to turn over to the County Clerk the original and duplicate registration cards of all persons affected by the rejection of the city election law in said city, village or incorporated town; the said Board of Election Commissioners shall also turn over to the County Clerk all forms, papers and other instruments pertaining to the registration and election of voters within the said city, village or incorporated town that rejected the city election law, and they shall also cause to be delivered to the clerk of any such city, village or incorporated town that rejected the city election law, all booths and ballot boxes formerly used in conducting elections in said city, village or incorporated town.
The original registration cards of the voters turned over to the County Clerk by the Board of Election Commissioners shall be placed in a master file together with the registration cards of all voters who previously registered under the provisions of this Article 5 and said cards shall then become part of the official registration record for the county in which this Article 5 is in effect.
The duplicate cards shall be arranged in precinct order and shall be retained in the office of the county clerk for use in conducting State, county and township elections. The said duplicate cards shall become part of the official registration record for the county in which this Article 5 is in effect.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-37) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-37)
Sec. 5-37. It shall be the duty of the Board of Election Commissioners to do, and cause to be done all things required of them by Section 5-36 of this Article 5.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-37.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-37.1)
Sec. 5-37.1. If any area becomes subject to a board of election commissioners by reason of annexation to a city, village or incorporated town subject to such a board or ceases to be subject to a board of election commissioners by reason of disconnection from such a city, village or incorporated town, it shall not be necessary for the registered voters in such area to register again, either under this Article or Article 6.
As soon as practicable after such annexation or disconnection, the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, shall turn over to officer or officers thereafter to be charged with the registration of voters within the area affected (the board of election commissioners or county clerk, as the case may be) the original and duplicate registration cards of all registered voters in the annexed or disconnected area.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 405.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-38) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-38)
Sec. 5-38. All laws in conflict with this Article 5 shall no longer be applicable to the electors residing in the territorial limits where this Article 5 is in effect, but all laws and parts of laws not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article 5 shall continue in force and effect.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 253.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-39) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-39)
Sec. 5-39. During the hours of registration or revision of registration no person shall bring, take, order or send into, or shall attempt to bring, take or send into any place of registration or revision of registration, any distilled or spirituous liquors whatever; or shall, at any such time and place drink or partake of such liquor.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-43)
Sec. 5-43. Computerization of voter records.
(a) The State Board of Elections shall design a registration record card that, except as otherwise provided in this Section, shall be used in duplicate by all election authorities in the State adopting a computer-based voter registration file as provided in this Section. The Board shall prescribe the form and specifications, including but not limited to the weight of paper, color, and print of the cards. The cards shall contain boxes or spaces for the information required under Sections 5-7 and 5-28.1; provided that the cards shall also contain: (i) A space for the person to fill in his or her Illinois driver’s license number if the person has a driver’s license; (ii) A space for a person without a driver’s license to fill in the last four digits of his or her social security number if the person has a social security number.

(b) The election authority may develop and implement a system to prepare, use, and maintain a computer-based voter registration file that includes a computer-stored image of the signature of each voter. The computer-based voter registration file may be used for all purposes for which the original registration cards are to be used. In the case of voter registration forms received via an online voter registration system, the original registration cards will include the signature received from the Secretary of State database. The electronic file shall be the master file.

(b-2) The election authority may develop and implement a system to maintain registration cards in digital form using digitized signatures, which may be stored in a computer-based voter registration file under subsection (b) of this Section. The making and signing of any form, including an application to register and a certificate authorizing cancellation of a registration or authorizing a transfer of registration may be by a signature written in ink or by a digitized signature.

(c) Any system created, used, and maintained under subsection (b) of this Section shall meet the following standards:

(1) Access to any computer-based voter registration file shall be limited to those persons authorized by the election authority, and each access to the computer-based voter registration file, other than an access solely for inquiry, shall be recorded.

(2) No copy, summary, list, abstract, or index of any computer-based voter registration file that includes any computer-stored image of the signature of any registered voter shall be made available to the public outside of the offices of the election authority.

(3) Any copy, summary, list, abstract, or index of any computer-based voter registration file that includes a computer-stored image of the signature of a registered voter shall be produced in such a manner that it cannot be reproduced.

(4) Each person desiring to vote shall sign an application for a ballot, and the signature comparison authorized in Articles 17 and 18 of this Code may be made to a copy of the computer-stored image of the signature of the registered voter.

(5) Any voter list produced from a computer-based voter registration file that includes computer-stored images of the signatures of registered voters and is used in a polling place during an election shall be preserved by the election authority in secure storage until the end of the second calendar year following the election in which it was used.

(d) Before the first election in which the election authority elects to use a voter list produced from the computer-stored images of the signatures of registered voters in a computer-based voter registration file for signature comparison in a polling place, the State Board of Elections shall certify that the system used by the election authority complies with the standards set forth in this Section. The State Board of Elections may request a sample poll list intended to be used in a polling place to test the accuracy of the list and the adequacy of the computer-stored images of the signatures of the registered voters.

(e) With respect to a jurisdiction that has copied all of its voter signatures into a computer-based registration file, all references in this Act or any other Act to the use, other than storage, of paper-based voter registration records shall be deemed to refer to their computer-based equivalents.

(f) Nothing in this Section prevents an election authority from submitting to the State Board of Elections a duplicate copy of some, as the State Board of Elections shall determine, or all of the data contained in each voter registration record that is part of the electronic master file. The duplicate copy of the registration record shall be maintained by the State Board of Elections under the same terms and limitations applicable to the election authority and shall be of equal legal dignity with the original registration record maintained by the election authority as proof of any fact contained in the voter registration record.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-50)
Sec. 5-50. Grace period. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, each election authority shall establish procedures for the registration of voters and for change of address during the period from the close of registration for an election until and including the day of the election. During this grace period, an unregistered qualified elector may register to vote, and a registered voter may submit a change of address form, in person in the office of the election authority, at a permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10, at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election, at a polling place on election day, or at a voter registration location specifically designated for this purpose by the election authority. Grace period registration and changes of address shall also be conducted for eligible residents in connection with voting at facilities under Section 19-12.2 of this Code. The election authority shall register that individual, or change a registered voter’s address, in the same manner as otherwise provided by this Article for registration and change of address.
If a voter who registers or changes address during this grace period wishes to vote at the election or primary occurring during the grace period, he or she must do so by grace period voting. The election authority shall offer in-person grace period voting at his or her office, any permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10, and at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election, at a polling place on election day, where grace period registration is required by this Section; and may offer in-person grace period voting at additional hours and locations specifically designated for the purpose of grace period voting by the election authority. The election authority may allow grace period voting by mail only if the election authority has no ballots prepared at the authority’s office. Grace period voting shall be in a manner substantially similar to voting under Article 19A.
Within one day after a voter casts a grace period ballot, or within one day after the ballot is received by the election authority if the election authority allows grace period voting by mail, the election authority shall transmit by electronic means pursuant to a process established by the State Board of Elections the voter’s name, street address, e-mail address, and precinct, ward, township, and district numbers, as the case may be, to the State Board of Elections, which shall maintain those names and that information in an electronic format on its website, arranged by county and accessible to State and local political committees. The name of each person issued a grace period ballot shall also be placed on the appropriate precinct list of persons to whom vote by mail and early ballots have been issued, for use as provided in Sections 17-9 and 18-5.
A person who casts a grace period ballot shall not be permitted to revoke that ballot and vote another ballot with respect to that primary or election. Ballots cast by persons who register or change address during the grace period at a location other than their designated polling place on election day must be transmitted to and counted at the election authority’s central ballot counting location and shall not be transmitted to and counted at precinct polling places. The grace period ballots determined to be valid shall be added to the vote totals for the precincts for which they were cast in the order in which the ballots were opened.
In counties with a population of less than 100,000 that do not have electronic poll books, the election authority may opt out of registration in the polling place if the election authority establishes grace period registration and voting at other sites on election day at the following sites: (i) the election authority’s main office and (ii) a polling place in each municipality where 20% or more of the county’s residents reside if the election authority’s main office is not located in that municipality. The election authority may establish other grace period registration and voting sites on election day provided that the election authority has met the notice requirements of Section 19A-25 for permanent and temporary early voting sites.
(Source: P.A. 100-442, eff. 8-25-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/5-105)
Sec. 5-105. First time voting. A person must vote for the first time in person and not a vote by mail ballot if the person registered to vote by mail, unless the person first provides the appropriate election authority with sufficient proof of identity and the election authority verifies the person’s proof of identity. Sufficient proof of identity shall be demonstrated by submission of the person’s driver’s license number or State identification card number or, if the person does not have either of those, verification by the last 4 digits of the person’s social security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other federal, State, or local government document that shows the person’s name and address. A person may also demonstrate sufficient proof of identity by submission of a photo identification issued by a college or university accompanied by either a copy of the applicant’s contract or lease for a residence or any postmarked mail delivered to the applicant at his or her current residence address. Persons who apply to register to vote by mail but provide inadequate proof of identity to the election authority shall be notified by the election authority that the registration has not been fully completed and that the person remains ineligible to vote by mail or in person until such proof is presented.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

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Article 6 – Registration of Electors in Certain Cities, Villages and Incorporated Towns

(10 ILCS 5/6-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-1)
Sec. 6-1. The provisions of this Article 6 (and of Articles 14 and 18 hereof) so far as they are the same as those of the provisions of “An Act regulating the holding of elections and declaring the result thereof in cities, villages and incorporated towns in this state”, approved June 19, 1885, as amended, (hereinafter sometimes referred to in this Article as the Act of 1885) shall be construed as a continuation of such prior provisions and not as a new enactment; and it is declared to be the legislative intent that any city, village or incorporated town which has heretofore adopted and become entitled to the provisions of said Act of 1885, shall automatically become subject to the provisions of this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act (as well as certain sections in other articles which are made specifically applicable to such city, village or incorporated town), which three articles together shall be known as the City Election Law.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-2)
Sec. 6-2. The electors of any city now existing in this state may adopt and become entitled to the benefits of this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act in the manner following:
Whenever one thousand of the legal voters of such city voting at the last preceding election shall petition the circuit court of the county in which such city is located, to submit to a vote of the electors of such city the proposition as to whether such city and the electors thereof shall adopt and become entitled to the benefits of this Article, and said Articles 14 and 18 of this Act, it shall be the duty of such circuit court to order such proposition to be submitted accordingly at the next succeeding general or regularly scheduled municipal election; and if such proposition is not adopted at such election, the same shall in like manner be submitted to a vote of the electors of such city by said circuit court upon a like application at any general or regularly scheduled municipal election thereafter. If one thousand shall exceed one-eighth of the legal voters of any such city voting at the last preceding general or consolidated election, then such application need not be signed or made by more than one-eighth of the legal voters of such city voting at the last preceding general or consolidated election. Such petition shall be subject to the applicable provisions of Article 28 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-3)
Sec. 6-3. The circuit court shall give at least 60 days notice of such election by publishing such notice in one or more newspapers published within such city, for at least 5 times, the first publication to be at least 60 days before the day of election, and if no newspaper is published in such city, then by posting at least 5 copies of such notice in each ward 60 days before such election; and such court shall enter an order directing the county clerk to prepare the necessary blank returns for the use of the judges of election, substantially in the following form:
“At an election held in the …. precinct of the …. ward in the city of …. in the State of Illinois, on the …. day of …. in the year …. the following vote was cast for and against city election law, to-wit:
For city election law …. votes.
Against city election law …. votes.
Certified by us:
A.B., G.H.,
C.D., I.J.,
E.F., K.L.,
Judges of Election”
Also to prepare separate tally sheets with appropriate headings.
And it shall be the duty of such county clerk to deliver to the judges of all the precincts in such city at such election proper tally sheets and blank statements of returns of votes cast for and against such proposition at such election. And it shall be the duty of the circuit court to supervise and direct such matters and see that they are properly done.
The circuit court shall also prepare directions to the judges of election as to the manner of canvassing the votes for and against such proposition, keeping tally thereof and making returns of the votes as to such proposition, in accordance with the provisions of this article; also informing them therein of the penalties of the law imposed upon the judges for any refusal or neglect pertaining to their duties, and such circuit court shall deliver such directions to the county clerk directing him to have them printed and sent out to such judges. And it shall be the duty of such county clerk to obey such instructions.
It shall be the duty of the county clerk to do and cause to be done all things required of him by Sections 6-2 to 6-20, inclusive, of this Article, and for a failure to perform such duties he shall, on conviction, be removed from his office by the court in which such conviction shall be had.
The county shall pay all expenses connected with such election.
(Source: P.A. 84-551.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-4)
Sec. 6-4. At such election the ballots, so far as they relate to this act, shall be written or printed in the following form: “For city election law” or “Against city election law.”
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-5)
Sec. 6-5. The ballot upon such proposition in the form aforesaid must be printed or written at the bottom of the ticket containing the names of candidates for public offices at such election who are voted for by any elector.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-6)
Sec. 6-6. The judges of such election shall canvass the ballots so cast for or against such proposition. They shall count in favor of said proposition all ballots, “For city election law” and they shall count against such proposition all ballots, “Against city election law”.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-7)
Sec. 6-7. Such canvass shall be made by such judges in the following manner: Before the name or names of any candidate on any ballot shall be canvassed, one of the judges, two sitting on either side of him and observing the canvass, shall separate all the ballots cast in such precinct into 3 piles or files, putting together in the first pile all those containing the phrase, “For city election law”, and putting together in the second pile all the ballots containing the phrase, “Against city election law”, and putting together in the third pile all the other ballots of every description. One of the 3 judges shall then count the first pile of ballots in batches of 10, and when one batch is counted, shall pass the same to the next judge, who shall count the same and pass it to the third judge, who shall also count it, and when the 3 shall have finished the count of the 10 ballots, the last judge shall announce in a loud voice the result, “Ten votes for city election law”. It shall then be duty of each of 2 judges, who took no part in the counting, to tally 10 votes accordingly on his tally sheet for city election law, and so the whole pile shall be counted. Before counting the second pile the tally judges shall announce the result or number so entered and credited, “For city election law”, and the second pile shall be counted in the same way in batches of 10, and the result tallied and announced in the same way “Against city election law”. And thereupon it shall be the duty of each of the judges in turn to announce in a loud voice the result of the election in that precinct upon that proposition. No ballot shall be counted for or against such proposition unless it be in the form herein prescribed; no account is to be kept of the third pile of ballots as to such proposition.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-8)
Sec. 6-8. If no tally sheet shall be furnished to the judges of any precinct relating to such proposition, the tally judges shall use any piece of paper containing the headings written out by either of them: “For city election law”, and “Against city election law”, and tally the vote thereon opposite the respective headings as announced to them: and if no blank statements of returns relating to such proposition be provided or furnished to them, then it shall be the duty of the judges to write out a return in triplicate, in substance in accordance with the form found in Section 6-3 of this Article.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-9)
Sec. 6-9. After ascertaining and announcing the result as aforesaid, such judges shall make, fill up and sign duplicate returns or statements of the votes cast for and against such proposition as aforesaid, in the form found in Section 6-3 of this Article, each of which shall be attested by the other judges, and each of which shall then be enclosed and sealed in an envelope, one of which shall be on the outside addressed to the appropriate election authority and one to the comptroller of such city, or to the officer whose duties correspond with those of the comptroller. Upon each of which statements shall be endorsed “city election law returns”. In the same manner the tally sheet in duplicate shall be signed by the judges, and shall be enclosed and sealed in separate envelopes, one of which shall be addressed to the county judge and one to the city clerk; upon both of the envelopes shall be endorsed “city election law tallies”. On the outside of each envelope shall be endorsed whether it contains a statement of the votes cast or the tallies, and for what precinct and ward. After the envelopes respectively containing such returns and tallies are closed and sealed, the judges of election shall each write across the folds of such envelopes their names, and thereupon each of the judges of election shall take one of said returns or tallies, and shall deliver, each one respectively, to the person or officer to whom addressed, by noon of the next day, and when delivered he shall receive a receipt therefor from the officer to whom delivered, and it shall be the duty of such officer to give such receipts, and to safely keep such envelopes unopened until called for by the election authority as herein provided.
(Source: P.A. 94-647, eff. 1-1-06.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-10)
Sec. 6-10. At the canvass of the ballots in any precinct in any city where such proposition has been submitted, it shall be the duty of such judges of election, on request, to admit to the room two electors of the ward who voted in favor of such proposition and two who voted against it, as special watchers of such canvass; and said judges and the police officer or other officer of the law present shall protect such watchers and see that they are not excluded, and at the time of such canvass of the ballots cast for or against such proposition such watchers shall be entitled to a position where they can plainly see and read each ballot, and it shall be the duty of such judges to grant and protect them in such position.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-11)
Sec. 6-11. The returns must be canvassed in the same manner as any other referendum held in the municipality.
(Source: P.A. 94-647, eff. 1-1-06.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-12)
Sec. 6-12. No judge of election shall knowingly open, change, tear, mutilate, lose or conceal or knowingly cause or permit to be opened, changed, torn, mutilated, lost or concealed any return of votes cast for or against this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act, or any tally sheet of votes so cast for or against such proposition after the same has been sealed up and delivered to him to be carried and delivered to the officer of law required by this act to receive the same.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

(10 ILCS 5/6-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-13)
Sec. 6-13. No officer having possession of such returns, tallies or ballots, shall steal, counsel or assist in stealing, or shall change or mutilate any return or tally sheet relating to such election.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-15)
Sec. 6-15. Any village or incorporated town in this state may adopt this article 6 and articles 14 and 18 of this Act, in like manner, and the same shall be submitted to a vote of the people of the said village or incorporated town, upon written application to said court, of 150 electors in such village or incorporated town.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3481.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-16)
Sec. 6-16. After and from the time of the adoption of this Article and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act, as aforesaid, the provisions of the said Articles shall be applicable to such cities, villages or incorporated towns, together with such other sections of this Act which are made specifically applicable thereto, and all laws in conflict therewith shall no longer be applicable to such cities, villages or incorporated towns. But all laws or parts of laws not inconsistent with the provisions of said Articles and sections shall continue in force and be applicable to any such city, village or incorporated town, the same as if said Articles and sections had not been adopted.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-17)
Sec. 6-17. Whenever 1,000 of the legal voters in a city of 250,000 population or less where this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act or the Act of which they are a continuation have been adopted shall petition the circuit court in the county in which such city is located to submit to a vote of the electors of such city the proposition as to whether such city and the electors thereof shall reject the Articles, the court shall enter an order of record approving such petition and thereupon the court shall submit such proposition to the legal voters of such city at the next succeeding general, state, county or municipal election to be held in such county in not less than 30 days after the entry of such order. If 1,000 shall exceed one-eighth of the legal voters of any such city then such petition need not be signed or made by more than one-eighth of the legal voters of such city. Notice of election shall be given by the court at least 20 days prior to such election by publication in one or more newspapers of general circulation published within such city.
(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-18)
Sec. 6-18. The ballots which shall be used for voting on the rejection of this Act shall be written or printed in the following form:
————————————————————–
Shall the city Yes
election law be —————————-
rejected? No
————————————————————–
The ballots to be used at such election shall be printed by the officers charged by law with the duty of printing ballots for general elections in said city. The ballots so cast shall be received, returned and canvassed in the same manner and by the same officers as is provided by law in the case of ballots cast for city officers and any contest of the result of such election shall be tried as nearly as may be in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-19) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-19)
Sec. 6-19. The election officials canvassing returns shall cause a statement of the result of such election on the rejection of this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act to be certified to the court. If a majority of the total votes cast at such election is in the affirmative, the court shall enter an order declaring said Articles rejected and shall file a copy of the order in the office of the Secretary of State. Thereupon said Articles shall cease to be operative and binding in such city.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3481.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-19.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-19.1; formerly Ch. 46, par. 701)
Sec. 6-19.1. Validation of rejection. When, prior to February 13, 1967, in any city with a population of 100,000 or less, a majority of the legal voters voting on the proposition of whether the city election law shall be rejected, as provided in Section 6-18, have voted in favor of the rejection of the city election law and the election is in other respects in conformity with law, the publication of the election notice is declared to be legal and valid and the election is validated, notwithstanding that the publication was only 12 days prior to the election by publication in one or more newspapers of general circulation published within the city.
(Source: P.A. 87-1052.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-19.5)
Sec. 6-19.5. Rejection of Article by superseding county board of election commissioners. In addition to any other method of rejection provided in this Article, when a county board of election commissioners is established in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 6A-1 in a county in which is located any portion of a municipality with a municipal board of election commissioners, the application of the provisions of this Article to the territory of that municipality located within that county is rejected.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-20) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-20)
Sec. 6-20. Any village or incorporated town in this State having adopted this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act may reject them in the same manner as provided in the case of cities upon written application to the circuit court in which such village or incorporated town is located of 150 electors in such village or incorporated town.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3481.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-21) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-21)
Sec. 6-21. In every city, village and incorporated town so adopting this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act there shall be created a board of election commissioners, which shall be composed of 3 members, each of whom shall be designated as an election commissioner, and shall be appointed by the circuit court in the county in which such city, village or incorporated town shall be located. Each person appointed as an election commissioner shall at the time of such appointment have been a resident of the State of Illinois for the 2 years last past, except that the appointing court may waive the 2 year residence requirement for good cause shown and entered of record. And such appointment shall be entered of record in such court, and when qualified such commissioner shall be an officer of such court. The first appointment of such commissioners shall be within 60 days after the adoption of said Articles, and those first appointed shall hold their offices for the period of 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively, and the judge appointing them shall designate the term for which each one shall hold his office, whether for 1, 2 or 3 years. If the office of either commissioner shall become vacant, it shall thereupon be the duty of such court to appoint within 60 days a successor for such unexpired term; within 60 days after the expiration of the term for which each commissioner is appointed such court shall, in the same way, nominate and appoint a successor, who shall hold his office for the period of 3 years, and until his successor is appointed.
A board of election commissioners is not a unit of local government within the meaning of Section 8 of Article VII of the Constitution of 1970. Appointments of election commissioners on and after July 1, 1971, shall continue to be made by the circuit court in the same manner as before that date.
(Source: P.A. 82-1014.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-22) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-22)
Sec. 6-22. Two of such commissioners at least shall always be selected from the 2 leading political parties of the state, one from each of such parties, and all shall be legal voters residing in such city, village or incorporated town, and be persons of well known political convictions and of approved integrity and capacity. No commissioner can hold any other political office. Whenever it shall come to the knowledge of the court that one of the leading political parties of the state is not represented upon such commission by a person of the same political faith, the court shall at once remove one of such commissioners and fill the vacancy with a member of the leading political party not so represented.
(Source: P.A. 80-656.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-23)
Sec. 6-23. Such court may at any time, upon complaint made and cause shown satisfactory to it, after notice to such commissioner and an opportunity to be heard, remove any such commissioner and enter of record in the court such order of removal. Such order may be appealed as in other civil cases. Such complaint must be signed and sworn to by at least 25 legal voters of such city, village or incorporated town, and must state the grounds of such complaint.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 3840.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-24) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-24)
Sec. 6-24. Within 20 days after such first appointment shall be made, such commissioners shall organize as a board by electing one of their number as chair and one as secretary, and they shall perform the duties incident to such offices. And upon every new appointment of a commissioner, such board shall reorganize in like manner. Each commissioner, before taking his seat in such board, shall take an oath of office before the court, which in substance shall be in the following form:
“I, …. do solemnly swear, (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States, and have resided in the State of Illinois for a period of 2 years last past, and that I am a legal voter and resident of the jurisdiction of the ………. Board of Election Commissioners. That I will support the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Illinois, and the laws passed in pursuance thereof, to the best of my ability, and will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of the office of election commissioner.”
Where the 2 year residence requirement is waived by the appointing court, the provision pertaining to the 2 year residence requirement shall be omitted from the oath of office.
Which oath, when subscribed and sworn to before such court shall be filed in the office of the county clerk of said county and be there preserved. Such commissioner shall also, before taking such oath, give an official bond in the sum of $10,000.00 with two securities, to be approved by said court, conditioned for the faithful and honest performance of his duties and the preservation of the property of his office. Such board of commissioners shall at once secure and open an office sufficient for the purposes of such board, which shall be kept open during ordinary business hours of each week day and such other days and such other times as the board may direct or as otherwise required by law, legal holidays excepted; provided that such office shall be kept open from the time of opening the polls on the day of any election, primary or general, and until all returns of that election have been received from each precinct under the jurisdiction of such Board. Upon the opening of such office the county clerk of the county in which such city, village or incorporated town is situated shall, upon demand, turn over to such board all registry books, registration record cards, poll books, tally sheets and ballot boxes heretofore used and all other books, forms, blanks and stationery of every description in his hands in any way relating to elections or the holding of elections within such city, village or incorporated town.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-25) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-25)
Sec. 6-25. Said board shall have the right to employ an executive director who shall have charge of the office of said board and who shall be present and in attendance at all proper business hours. Such executive director shall take an oath of office before the court to the effect that he will honestly and faithfully perform all the duties of such office, under the direction of said board, which shall be preserved in the same way, and he shall be under the direction of said board, and he shall have the right to administer all oaths required under this act to be administered by either of said commissioners. The board shall have the right to employ an independent external auditor who shall assist the board and the circuit court in reviewing and approving all financial expenditures of the board. The board may employ an attorney who shall advise and represent such board in all cases where the advice or services of an attorney are necessary. Such additional assistance may be employed by said board from time to time, as may be necessary, with the consent and approval previously entered of record by said court or which may afterwards be approved by such court.
(Source: P.A. 87-1052.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-26) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-26)
Sec. 6-26. The board of election commissioners shall make all necessary rules and regulations, not inconsistent with this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act, with reference to the registration of voters and the conduct of elections. The board of election commissioners shall, except as otherwise provided in this Section, have charge of and make provisions for all elections, general, special, local, municipal, state and county, and all others of every description to be held in such city or any part thereof, at any time, or in such village or incorporated town, as the case may be. The board of election commissioners shall not have charge of elections for local school councils established pursuant to Article 34 of The School Code.
(Source: P.A. 84-923; 87-454.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-27) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-27)
Sec. 6-27. Every person having resided in the State and in election precinct 30 days next preceding any election therein and who shall be a citizen of the United States of the age of 18 or more years, shall be entitled to vote at such elections described in the last preceding Section.
After the first registration provided by this Article, the vote of no person, other than an elector voting pursuant to Article 20 of this Act or exempt under Section 6-67.01 or 6-67.02 of this Article from registration, shall be received in any election conducted under the provisions of this Article 6 or Articles 14 and 18 of this Act unless such person has registered under the provisions of this Article in the precinct in which such person resides. For the purposes of this Article, the word “election” shall include primary.
No person shall be entitled to be registered in or from any precinct unless such person shall, by the date of the election next following, have resided in the State and within the precinct for 30 days, and be otherwise qualified to vote at such election. Every applicant who shall be 18 years of age on the day of the next election shall be permitted to register, if otherwise qualified.
To constitute residence under this Act, Article 3 is controlling.
(Source: P.A. 81-953.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-28) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-28)
Sec. 6-28. The first registration under this Article shall be that preceding the election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1936. Registration for such election shall be conducted by the Board of Election Commissioners, shall be either at the office of such Board or in the precinct, as hereinafter provided in this Article, and shall be upon registration record cards in the manner provided by this Article. Such first registration under this Article and subsequent revisions thereof shall be under the full charge and control of the Board of Election Commissioners, and the expenses thereof shall be paid in the manner provided by this Article. It shall be the duty of such board to give timely notice through the press of the time and place of such first registration.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-29) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-29)
Sec. 6-29. For the purpose of registering voters under this Article, the office of the Board of Election Commissioners shall be open during ordinary business hours of each week day, from 9 a.m. to 12 o’clock noon on the last four Saturdays immediately preceding the end of the period of registration preceding each election, and such other days and such other times as the board may direct. During the 27 days immediately preceding any election there shall be no registration of voters at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners in cities, villages and incorporated towns of fewer than 200,000 inhabitants. In cities, villages and incorporated towns of 200,000 or more inhabitants, there shall be no registration of voters at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners during the 35 days immediately preceding any election; provided, however, where no precinct registration is being conducted prior to any election then registration may be taken in the office of the Board up to and including the 28th day prior to such election. The Board of Election Commissioners may set up and establish as many branch offices for the purpose of taking registrations as it may deem necessary, and the branch offices may be open on any or all dates and hours during which registrations may be taken in the main office. All officers and employees of the Board of Election Commissioners who are authorized by such board to take registrations under this Article shall be considered officers of the circuit court, and shall be subject to the same control as is provided by Section 14-5 of this Act with respect to judges of election.
In any election called for the submission of the revision or alteration of, or the amendments to the Constitution, submitted by a Constitutional Convention, the final day for registration at the office of the election authority charged with the printing of the ballot of this election shall be the 15th day prior to the date of election.
The Board of Election Commissioners shall appoint one or more registration teams, consisting of 2 of its employees for each team, for the purpose of accepting the registration of any voter who files an affidavit, within the period for taking registrations provided for in this Article, that he is physically unable to appear at the office of the Board or at any appointed place of registration. On the day or days when a precinct registration is being conducted such teams shall consist of one member from each of the 2 leading political parties who are serving on the Precinct Registration Board. Each team so designated shall visit each person with a disability and shall accept the registration of such person the same as if he had applied for registration in person.
Any otherwise qualified person who is absent from his county of residence due to business of the United States, or who is temporarily residing outside the territorial limits of the United States, may make application to become registered by mail to the Board of Election Commissioners within the periods for registration provided for in this Article or by simultaneous application for registration by mail and vote by mail ballot as provided in Article 20 of this Code.
Upon receipt of such application the Board of Election Commissioners shall immediately mail an affidavit of registration in duplicate, which affidavit shall contain the following and such other information as the State Board of Elections may think it proper to require for the identification of the applicant:
Name. The name of the applicant, giving surname and first or Christian name in full, and the middle name or the initial for such middle name, if any.
Sex.
Residence. The name and number of the street, avenue or other location of the dwelling, and such additional clear and definite description as may be necessary to determine the exact location of the dwelling of the applicant. Where the location cannot be determined by street and number, then the section, congressional township and range number may be used, or such other information as may be necessary, including post office mailing address.
Electronic mail address, if the registrant has provided this information.
Term of residence in the State of Illinois and the precinct.
Nativity. The state or country in which the applicant was born.
Citizenship. Whether the applicant is native born or naturalized. If naturalized, the court, place and date of naturalization.
Age. Date of birth, by month, day and year.
Out of State address of ………………
AFFIDAVIT OF REGISTRATION
State of ………)
) ss.
County of ……..)
I hereby swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States; that on the day of the next election I shall have resided in the State of Illinois and in the election precinct 30 days; that I am fully qualified to vote, that I am not registered to vote anywhere else in the United States, that I intend to remain a resident of the State of Illinois, and of the election precinct, that I intend to return to the State of Illinois, and that the above statements are true.
…………………………
(His or her signature or mark)
Subscribed and sworn to before me, an officer qualified to administer oaths, on (insert date).
………………………………….
Signature of officer administering oath.
Upon receipt of the executed duplicate affidavit of Registration, the Board of Election Commissioners shall transfer the information contained thereon to duplicate Registration Cards provided for in Section 6-35 of this Article and shall attach thereto a copy of each of the duplicate affidavit of registration and thereafter such registration card and affidavit shall constitute the registration of such person the same as if he had applied for registration in person.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 10-1-13; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-30) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-30)
Sec. 6-30. If any city, village or incorporated town adopts and becomes entitled to the benefits of this Article 6 and Articles 14 and 18 of this Act, after the date for the first registration hereunder, registration therein shall be governed by the law applicable thereto at the time of the adoption of said Articles until a complete first registration can be had. Such first registration shall be in the manner provided in this Article and shall precede the primary held for the nomination of candidates for the next succeeding congressional election, and the periods provided for each step in such registration shall be the same as are provided by this Article 6 with respect to cities, villages and incorporated towns subject to this Article at the time when it takes effect. A period for registration at the office of the board of election commissioners prior to such election shall be allowed equal to that provided by this Article, for the period intervening between the first Tuesday in August, 1936 and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1936.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-31) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-31)
Sec. 6-31. In addition to the registration authorized at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners, there shall be two days of registration in each precinct preceding the election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1936. The place of registration in each precinct shall be designated by the Board of Election Commissioners, and public notice thereof given, and the provisions of Article 11, Section 11-4 of this Act shall apply thereto. The registration places so designated shall be open from 8:00 o’clock a.m. until 9:00 o’clock p.m. on each of such days of registration.
The first of said two days of registration shall be on Saturday preceding the Tuesday four weeks before said election; the second of said two days of registration shall be on Tuesday three weeks preceding said election; provided, however, that in cities, villages and incorporated towns of 200,000 or more, having a board of election commissioners, and in cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of said board of election commissioners, the first day of registration shall be on Saturday preceding the Tuesday six weeks preceding said election; and the second day of such registration shall be on Tuesday four weeks preceding said election.
In addition to the two days of registration hereinabove provided, the Board of Election Commissioners may provide for additional days of registration (not exceeding two) before said election. The last day so designated shall be earlier than the last day of registration hereinabove provided for cities, villages and incorporated towns under the jurisdiction of such Board.
For the registration held in accordance with the terms of this section there shall be a board of registry composed of two deputy registrars and one judge of registration for each precinct. The political party with which the minority member of the Board of Election Commissioners is affiliated, shall be entitled to be represented by one deputy registrar in each precinct. The political party with which the majority of the members of the Board of Election Commissioners are affiliated shall be entitled to be represented by one deputy registrar in each precinct.
In the even numbered precincts the political party with which a majority of the members of the Board of Election Commissioners are affiliated, shall be entitled to be represented by the judge of registration.
In the odd numbered precincts the party represented by the minority member of the Board of Election Commissioners shall be entitled to be represented by the judge of registration.
Such board shall cause the printed list and supplement of the registration for the previous election to be posted up at the place of registration two days before such registration, with a printed notice of the time and place of the next registration. After the first registration under this article, the printed lists required to be posted shall be those for the precincts served by the registration places designated by the Board of Election Commissioners.
The election authorities shall issue credentials to registration day pollwatchers in the manner and on the terms prescribed in Section 17-23 with respect to pollwatchers at elections. Registration day pollwatchers shall be allowed to see the names and addresses of the people who have registered during the course of the day.
No person shall, at any precinct registration or reregistration, do any electioneering or soliciting of votes or engage in any political discussion within any precinct registration place or within 30 feet thereof. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any candidate from being present in or near any precinct registration place. All persons who register to vote at any precinct registration place must be residents of the precinct in which they register.
(Source: P.A. 81-1535.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-31.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-31.1)
Sec. 6-31.1. For use in connection with referenda and the nonpartisan and consolidated elections, each election authority shall maintain permanent records of the boundaries of all political subdivisions partially or wholly within its jurisdiction and any districts thereof, and shall maintain permanent records indicating by tax extension number code for each registered voter the political subdivisions and any districts thereof in which that voter resides. Such records may be kept on the registration record cards or on separate registration lists, or if a method other than record coding by tax extension number is adopted by an election authority, such method shall be, approved by the State Board of Elections. Each political subdivision must, no later than 5 days after any redistricting, annexation, disconnection or other boundary change is adopted, give notice of any such adoption and the effective date of such act to each election authority having election jurisdiction over any of its former or new territory.
Each election authority must make available to election judges for use on election day, records indicating by tax extension number code or other method approved by the State Board of Elections for each registered voter, the political subdivisions in which that voter resides. For the purposes of election day use by election judges, such records must be kept on the registration record cards or on separate registration lists.
(Source: P.A. 84-861.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-32) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-32)
Sec. 6-32. The deputy registrars and judges of registration provided for by Section 6-30 of this Article shall be selected by the Board of Election Commissioners in the manner and for the same term provided for judges of election by Sections 14-2 and 14-3 and shall be officers of the court and have the qualifications prescribed for judges of election by Section 14-1; provided that in each precinct in counties of 500,000 inhabitants or more, one deputy registrar may be appointed from outside such precinct if not enough other qualified persons who reside within the precinct can be found to serve as deputy registrar in such precinct. The one deputy registrar so appointed to serve in any precinct in which he is not entitled to vote prior to the election must be entitled to vote elsewhere within the ward or township which includes within its boundaries the precinct in which such deputy registrar is appointed and such deputy registrar must be otherwise qualified. A report of such selection shall be made and filed in the court and thereafter all provisions of Article 14, Section 14-5, of this Act with respect to judges of election shall apply to such deputy registrars and judges of registration. Such registrars and judges shall be notified of their appointments in the manner provided for judges by Section 14-7 of Article 14 of this Act.
Any vacancy in the offices of deputy registrar or of judge of registration on the day of registration shall be filled by the registrar or judge of registration present, always selecting a person of the same political party as the absent deputy registrar or judge of registration; and the same oath shall be administered by the registrar or judge of registration present to such deputy registrar or judge of registration as is provided for regular deputy registrars and judges of registration. All oaths of office or affidavits which have been signed and sworn to shall be returned to the office of the Board of Election Commissioners in an envelope provided for that purpose, which envelope shall be sealed.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3481.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-34) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-34)
Sec. 6-34. One of the deputy registrars, the judge of registration or an officer or clerk in the office of the board of election commissioners authorized to administer oaths, shall administer to all persons who shall personally apply to register the following oath or affirmation: “You do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will fully and truly answer all such questions as shall be put to you touching your place of residence, name, place of birth, your qualifications as an elector and your right as such to register and vote under the laws of this State.”
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-35) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-35)
Sec. 6-35. The Boards of Election Commissioners shall provide a sufficient number of blank forms for the registration of electors which shall be known as registration record cards and which shall consist of loose leaf sheets or cards, of suitable size to contain in plain writing and figures the data hereinafter required thereon or shall consist of computer cards of suitable nature to contain the data required thereon. The registration record cards, which shall include an affidavit of registration as hereinafter provided, shall be executed in duplicate. The duplicate of which may be a carbon copy of the original or a copy of the original made by the use of other method or material used for making simultaneous true copies or duplications.
The registration record card shall contain the following and such other information as the Board of Election Commissioners may think it proper to require for the identification of the applicant for registration:
Name. The name of the applicant, giving surname and first or Christian name in full, and the middle name or the initial for such middle name, if any.
Sex.
Residence. The name and number of the street, avenue, or other location of the dwelling, including the apartment, unit or room number, if any, and in the case of a mobile home the lot number, and such additional clear and definite description as may be necessary to determine the exact location of the dwelling of the applicant, including post-office mailing address. In the case of a homeless individual, the individual’s voting residence that is his or her mailing address shall be included on his or her registration record card.
Term of residence in the State of Illinois and the precinct.
Nativity. The state or country in which the applicant was born.
Citizenship. Whether the applicant is native born or naturalized. If naturalized, the court, place, and date of naturalization.
Date of application for registration, i.e., the day, month and year when the applicant presented himself for registration.
Age. Date of birth, by month, day and year.
Physical disability of the applicant, if any, at the time of registration, which would require assistance in voting.
The county and state in which the applicant was last registered.
Electronic mail address, if any.
Signature of voter. The applicant, after registration and in the presence of a deputy registrar or other officer of registration shall be required to sign his or her name in ink or digitized form to the affidavit on both the original and the duplicate registration record card.
Signature of deputy registrar.
In case applicant is unable to sign his name, he may affix his mark to the affidavit. In such case the registration officer shall write a detailed description of the applicant in the space provided at the bottom of the card or sheet; and shall ask the following questions and record the answers thereto:
Father’s first name …………………….
Mother’s first name …………………….
From what address did you last register? ….
Reason for inability to sign name ………..
Each applicant for registration shall make an affidavit in substantially the following form:
AFFIDAVIT OF REGISTRATION
State of Illinois )
)ss
County of ……. )
I hereby swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States, that on the day of the next election I shall have resided in the State of Illinois and in the election precinct 30 days and that I intend that this location is my residence; that I am fully qualified to vote, and that the above statements are true.
…………………………
(His or her signature or mark)
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
………………………………..
Signature of registration officer
(to be signed in presence of registrant).
Space shall be provided upon the face of each registration record card for the notation of the voting record of the person registered thereon.
Each registration record card shall be numbered according to wards or precincts, as the case may be, and may be serially or otherwise marked for identification in such manner as the Board of Election Commissioners may determine.
The registration cards shall be deemed public records and shall be open to inspection during regular business hours, except during the 27 days immediately preceding any election. On written request of any candidate or objector or any person intending to object to a petition, the election authority shall extend its hours for inspection of registration cards and other records of the election authority during the period beginning with the filing of petitions under Sections 7-10, 8-8, 10-6 or 28-3 and continuing through the termination of electoral board hearings on any objections to petitions containing signatures of registered voters in the jurisdiction of the election authority. The extension shall be for a period of hours sufficient to allow adequate opportunity for examination of the records but the election authority is not required to extend its hours beyond the period beginning at its normal opening for business and ending at midnight. If the business hours are so extended, the election authority shall post a public notice of such extended hours. Registration record cards may also be inspected, upon approval of the officer in charge of the cards, during the 27 days immediately preceding any election. Registration record cards shall also be open to inspection by certified judges and poll watchers and challengers at the polling place on election day, but only to the extent necessary to determine the question of the right of a person to vote or to serve as a judge of election. At no time shall poll watchers or challengers be allowed to physically handle the registration record cards.
Updated copies of computer tapes or computer discs or other electronic data processing information containing voter registration information shall be furnished by the Board of Election Commissioners within 10 days after December 15 and May 15 each year and within 10 days after each registration period is closed to the State Board of Elections in a form prescribed by the State Board. For the purposes of this Section, a registration period is closed 27 days before the date of any regular or special election. Registration information shall include, but not be limited to, the following information: name, sex, residence, telephone number, if any, age, party affiliation, if applicable, precinct, ward, township, county, and representative, legislative and congressional districts. In the event of noncompliance, the State Board of Elections is directed to obtain compliance forthwith with this nondiscretionary duty of the election authority by instituting legal proceedings in the circuit court of the county in which the election authority maintains the registration information. The costs of furnishing updated copies of tapes or discs shall be paid at a rate of $.00034 per name of registered voters in the election jurisdiction, but not less than $50 per tape or disc and shall be paid from appropriations made to the State Board of Elections for reimbursement to the election authority for such purpose. The State Board shall furnish copies of such tapes, discs, other electronic data or compilations thereof to state political committees registered pursuant to the Illinois Campaign Finance Act or the Federal Election Campaign Act and to governmental entities, at their request and at a reasonable cost. To protect the privacy and confidentiality of voter registration information, the disclosure of electronic voter registration records to any person or entity other than to a State or local political committee and other than to a governmental entity for a governmental purpose is specifically prohibited except as follows: subject to security measures adopted by the State Board of Elections which, at a minimum, shall include the keeping of a catalog or database, available for public view, including the name, address, and telephone number of the person viewing the list as well as the time of that viewing, any person may view the centralized statewide voter registration list on a computer screen at the Springfield office of the State Board of Elections, during normal business hours other than during the 27 days before an election, but the person viewing the list under this exception may not print, duplicate, transmit, or alter the list. Copies of the tapes, discs or other electronic data shall be furnished by the Board of Election Commissioners to local political committees and governmental entities at their request and at a reasonable cost. Reasonable cost of the tapes, discs, et cetera for this purpose would be the cost of duplication plus 15% for administration. The individual representing a political committee requesting copies of such tapes shall make a sworn affidavit that the information shall be used only for bona fide political purposes, including by or for candidates for office or incumbent office holders. Such tapes, discs or other electronic data shall not be used under any circumstances by any political committee or individuals for purposes of commercial solicitation or other business purposes. If such tapes contain information on county residents related to the operations of county government in addition to registration information, that information shall not be used under any circumstances for commercial solicitation or other business purposes. The prohibition in this Section against using the computer tapes or computer discs or other electronic data processing information containing voter registration information for purposes of commercial solicitation or other business purposes shall be prospective only from the effective date of this amended Act of 1979. Any person who violates this provision shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.
The State Board of Elections shall promulgate, by October 1, 1987, such regulations as may be necessary to ensure uniformity throughout the State in electronic data processing of voter registration information. The regulations shall include, but need not be limited to, specifications for uniform medium, communications protocol and file structure to be employed by the election authorities of this State in the electronic data processing of voter registration information. Each election authority utilizing electronic data processing of voter registration information shall comply with such regulations on and after May 15, 1988.
If the applicant for registration was last registered in another county within this State, he shall also sign a certificate authorizing cancellation of the former registration. The certificate shall be in substantially the following form:
To the County Clerk of …. County, Illinois.
To the Election Commission of the City of …., Illinois.
This is to certify that I am registered in your (county) (city) and that my residence was ….. Having moved out of your (county), (city), I hereby authorize you to cancel that registration in your office.
Dated at …., Illinois, on (insert date).
………………..
(Signature of Voter)
Attest …., Clerk, Election Commission of the City of…., Illinois.
The cancellation certificate shall be mailed immediately by the clerk of the Election Commission to the county clerk, (or Election Commission as the case may be) where the applicant was formerly registered. Receipt of such certificate shall be full authority for cancellation of any previous registration.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 10-1-13; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-35.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-35.01)
Sec. 6-35.01. If an applicant for registration reports a permanent physical disability which would require assistance in voting, the board of election commissioners shall mark all his registration cards in the right margin on the front of the card with a band of ink running the full margin which shall be of contrast to, and easily distinguishable from, the color of the card. If an applicant for registration declares upon properly witnessed oath, with his signature or mark affixed, that he cannot read the English language and that he will require assistance in voting, all his registration cards shall be marked in a manner similar to the marking on the cards of a voter who requires assistance because of physical disability, except that the marking shall be of a different distinguishing color. Following each election the cards of any voter who has requested assistance as a voter with a disability, and has stated that the disability is permanent, or who has received assistance because of inability to read the English language, shall be marked in the same manner.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-35.02) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-35.02)
Sec. 6-35.02. Upon the issuance of a voter’s identification card for persons with disabilities as provided in Section 19-12.1, the board of election commissioners shall cause the identification number of such card to be clearly noted on all the registration cards of such voter.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-35.03) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-35.03)
Sec. 6-35.03. The State Board of Elections shall design a registration record card which, except as otherwise provided in this Section, shall be used in triplicate by all election authorities in the State, except those election authorities adopting a computer-based voter registration file authorized under Section 6-79. The Board shall prescribe the form and specifications, including but not limited to the weight of paper, color and print of such cards. Such cards shall contain boxes or spaces for the information required under Sections 6-31.1 and 6-35 of this Code; provided, that such cards shall also contain a box or space for the applicant’s social security number, which shall be required to the extent allowed by law but in no case shall the applicant provide fewer than the last 4 digits of the social security number, and a box for the applicant’s telephone number, if available.
Except for those election authorities adopting a computer-based voter registration file authorized under Section 6-79, the original and duplicate cards shall respectively constitute the master file and precinct binder registration records of the voter. A copy shall be given to the applicant upon completion of his or her registration or completed transfer of registration.
Whenever a voter moves to another precinct within the same election jurisdiction or to another election jurisdiction in the State, such voter may transfer his or her registration by presenting his or her copy to the election authority or a deputy registrar. If such voter is not in possession of or has lost his or her copy, he or she may effect a transfer of registration by executing an Affidavit of Cancellation of Previous Registration.
In the case of a transfer of registration to a new election jurisdiction, the election authority shall transmit the voter’s copy or such affidavit to the election authority of the voter’s former election jurisdiction, which shall immediately cause the transmission of the voter’s previous registration card to the voter’s new election authority. No transfer of registration to a new election jurisdiction shall be complete until the voter’s old election authority receives notification.
Deputy registrars shall return all copies of registration record cards or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration to the election authority within 7 working days after the receipt thereof. Such copies or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration received by the deputy registrars between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars within 48 hours after receipt thereof. Such copies or Affidavits of Cancellation of Previous Registration received by the deputy registrars on the 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the election authority within 24 hours after receipt thereof.
(Source: P.A. 91-73, eff. 7-9-99; 91-533, eff. 8-13-99; 92-816, eff. 8-21-02.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-35.5)
Sec. 6-35.5. Deputy registrar eligibility. Unless otherwise provided by law, an individual who is 17 years old or older who is registered to vote in this State shall be eligible to serve as a deputy registrar.
(Source: P.A. 99-722, eff. 8-5-16; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-36) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-36)
Sec. 6-36. The board of election commissioners shall supply deputy registrars and judges of registration with registration forms and shall fully instruct them in their duties. Each deputy registrar and judge of registration shall receipt to the board of election commissioners for all blank registration record cards issued to them, specifying therein the number of the blanks received by them, and each such deputy registrar and judge of registration shall be charged with such blanks until he returns them to the board of election commissioners. If for any cause a blank registration record card is mutilated or rendered unfit for use in making it out, or if a mistake therein has been made, such blank shall not be destroyed, but the word “mutilated” shall be written across the face of such blank, and such blank shall be returned to the board of election commissioners and shall be preserved in the same manner and for the same length of time as mutilated ballots. When any registration shall have been completed, each deputy registrar and judge of registration shall return all registration record cards to the board of election commissioners whether such cards have been filled out and executed or whether they are unused, or whether they have been mutilated. Deputy registrars and judges of registration shall make personal delivery of the registration records to the board of election commissioners, after the close of each registration and before they separate. Each deputy registrar and judge of registration shall certify the registration records in substantially the following form:
“We, the undersigned deputy registrars and judge of registration in …. County of …. in the State of Illinois, do swear (or affirm) that at the registration of electors on the …. day of …. there was registered by us in the said election precinct the names which appear on the registration record cards, and that the number of voters registered and qualified was and is the number of …..
……………(Judge of Registration)
……………(Deputy Registrar)

……………(Deputy Registrar)
Date ………”
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

(10 ILCS 5/6-37) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-37)
Sec. 6-37. Except as otherwise provided for in Section 6-29 of this Article, no person shall be registered unless he applies in person to a registration officer, answers such relevant questions as may be asked of him by the registration officer, and executes the affidavit of registration. The registration officer shall require the applicant to furnish two forms of identification, and except in the case of a homeless individual, one of which must include his or her residence address. These forms of identification shall include, but not be limited to, any of the following: driver’s license, social security card, public aid identification card, utility bill, employee or student identification card, lease or contract for a residence, credit card, or a civic, union or professional association membership card. The registration officer shall require a homeless individual to furnish evidence of his or her use of the mailing address stated. This use may be demonstrated by a piece of mail addressed to that individual and received at that address or by a statement from a person authorizing use of the mailing address. The registration officer shall require each applicant for registration to read or have read to him the affidavit of registration before permitting him to execute the affidavit.
The registration officer shall satisfy himself that each applicant for registration is qualified to register before registering him. Any voter of the ward, village or incorporated town in which such applicant resides, shall be permitted to be present at the place of registration, and shall have the right to challenge any applicant who applies to be registered.
In case the officer is not satisfied that the applicant is qualified he shall forthwith in writing notify such applicant to appear before the board of election commissioners to furnish further proof of his qualification. Upon the card of such applicant shall be written the word “incomplete” and no such applicant shall be permitted to vote unless such registration is satisfactorily completed as hereinafter provided.
Any person claiming to be an elector in any election precinct in such city, village or incorporated town and whose registration is marked “incomplete” may make and sign an application in writing, under oath, to the board of election commissioners in substance in the following form:
“I do solemnly swear that I,…. did on …. make application to the board of registry of the …. precinct of …. ward of the city of ….(or to the board of election commissioners of ….) and that said board refused to complete my registration as a qualified voter in said precinct, that I reside in said precinct, am a duly qualified voter and entitled to vote in said precinct at the next election.
….(Signature of Applicant)”
In all cities, villages or incorporated towns having a population of less than 200,000 all such applications shall be presented to the board of election commissioners by the applicant, in person, between the hours of nine o’clock a.m., and five o’clock p.m. on Tuesday or Wednesday of the second week prior to the week in which such election is to be held, and in all municipalities having a population of more than 200,000 and having a board of election commissioners and in all cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of such board, all such applications shall be presented to the board of election commissioners by the applicant, in person between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and five o’clock p.m., on Monday and Tuesday of the third week prior to the week in which such election is to be held.
(Source: P.A. 96-317, eff. 1-1-10.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-38) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-38)
Sec. 6-38. The 2 deputy registrars provided by this Article 6 for registration in each precinct preceding the election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1936, and for the last day of registration provided for in Section 6-49.1, shall be the canvassers of the precinct for which they are appointed.
The Board of Election Commissioners shall furnish to each deputy registrar a verification list of registered voters approved by the Board of Election Commissioners or a blank book which shall be named “Verification List”, each page of which shall be ruled into 4 columns, and to be marked thus:
Street Remarks
Number Street Names O.K. – Died – Moved, etc.
Such book shall contain pages sufficient to allow 6 pages for each street, avenue, alley and court in the precinct in question. During the progress of the registration, or immediately thereafter, each deputy registrar shall transfer all the names upon the registration record cards to such verification list; arranging them according to streets, avenues, alleys or courts, beginning with the lowest residence number, and placing them numerically, as near as possible, from the lowest up to the highest number.
They shall first write the name of such street, avenue, alley or court, at the top of the second column, and then proceed to transfer the names to such “Verification Lists” according to the street numbers as above indicated.
If, during either day of registration, any registered voter of the ward, village, or incorporated town shall come before the deputy registrars and the judge of registration and make oath that he believes that any particular person whose name has been entered upon the registry is not a qualified voter, such fact shall be noted; and after the completion of such “Verification Lists” one of the registrars, or judge of registration, shall make a cross or check mark in ink opposite such name. If the deputy registrars or the judge of the registration know any person so complained of is a qualified voter and believe that such complaint was made only to vex and harass such qualified voter, then such name shall be placed upon such lists without such cross or check mark but such cross or check mark shall be placed upon such lists in case either of the registrars or the judge of registration desires.
(Source: P.A. 84-1308.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-39) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-39)
Sec. 6-39. Upon the Wednesday and Thursday following the last day of registration, and upon the Wednesday and Thursday following the last day of precinct registration provided for in Section 6-49.1 of this Article, if so much time is required, the 2 deputy registrars shall go together and canvass the precinct for which they have been appointed, calling at each dwelling place or each house from which any one is registered in such precinct and each dwelling place as indicated upon said “Verification Lists”; and if they shall find that any person whose name appears upon their verification lists does not reside at the place designated thereupon, they shall make a notation in the column headed “Remarks” as follows: “Changed Name”; “Died”, or “Moved”, as the case may be, indicating that such person does not reside at such place.
Whenever deemed necessary by the canvassers, or either of them, he or they may demand of the person having command of the police in such precinct to furnish a policeman, to accompany them and protect them in the performance of their duties; and it shall be the duty of the person having command of the police in such precinct to furnish a policeman for such purpose. In such canvass no person shall refuse to answer questions and give the information asked for and known to him or her, or shall knowingly give false information, or make false statements. In making such canvass the canvassers shall make special inquiry at the residence or place designated on the verification lists, as to all the persons registered as qualified voters, and shall receive information from judges of election, party canvassers, or other persons.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 2987.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-40) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-40)
Sec. 6-40. Where verification lists are furnished to the canvassers by the Board of Election Commissioners, immediately upon completion of the canvass, the canvassers, or one of them, shall file with the Board of Election Commissioners the list of registered voters upon which the canvassers have made notation in the column headed “Remarks” as follows: “O. K.”, if they still reside at the address shown on the registration list, or “Died”, “Moved”, or “Changed Name” as the case may be. Such lists shall be attested to by the canvassers in an attached affidavit. No canvasser shall be remunerated for services as canvasser until such signed affidavit is filed with the Board of Election Commissioners.
Upon receipt by the Board of Election Commissioners of the completed list and the attached affidavit as to the correctness of the list, the Board of Election Commissioners shall prepare post card “Notices to Show Cause Why Registration Should not be Cancelled” to send to each voter on each list after whose name the canvassers have written “Died”, “Moved”, or “Changed Name”. They shall be sent by mail, and electronic mail if the person whose registration is questioned has provided the election authority with an e-mail address, to those whose registration is questioned by the Board of Election Commissioners not later than 10 P.M. on Friday of the week of the canvass. The affidavits made by the canvassers showing the names and addresses of such canvassers shall be a public record for 60 days.
The Board of Election Commissioners shall also prepare a correct list of those registered voters in each precinct who are designated “O.K.” in the remarks column by the canvassers and supplemental lists after the hearings on “Notices to Show Cause Why Registration Should Not be Cancelled”; such lists to be called “Printed Register of Registered Voters” of a given date and supplements thereto.
It shall be the duty of the Board of Election Commissioners when complaint is made to them, to investigate the action of such canvassers and to cause them or either of them to be brought before the circuit court and to prosecute them as for contempt, and also at the discretion of the Board of Election Commissioners, to cause them to be prosecuted criminally for such wilful neglect of duty.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 10-1-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-41) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-41)
Sec. 6-41. The canvassers, or one of them, shall prepare a list of the names of the parties designated as aforesaid, and to whom such notice has been sent, given, or left at the address, and make and attach his or their affidavit or affidavits thereto, stating that notice, duly stamped, was mailed to each of said parties at the places designated on the list, on or before 10 o’clock p. m. of the Thursday following the canvass, and that notice was also personally left at the said address of each of the parties named in the lists so attached, if there be such address; and such canvassers shall also file in the office of the Board of Election Commissioners on or before 6 o’clock p. m. on the Friday following the canvass, an exact duplicate of such list with the affidavit or affidavits attached thereto. Blank affidavit forms shall be furnished by the board for the purpose aforesaid; but if none are furnished, such canvassers shall cause the same to be drawn, and they shall swear to such affidavit before the judge of registration of such precinct, or a member of the Board of Election Commissioners, or the executive director thereof.
In cities, villages and incorporated towns having a population of over 200,000 and having a Board of Election Commissioners and in cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of the Board of Election Commissioners, the Board of Election Commissioners shall remain in session from 10 o’clock a.m. to 9 o’clock p.m. for 10 days following the last day of the canvass for the sole purpose of revising their registry. No new name shall be added to the registry at such session of the Board of Election Commissioners.
In cities, villages and incorporated towns having a population of less than 200,000, the hearing herein provided and the final revision of the registry, shall be by the Board of Election Commissioners for such city, village or incorporated town. The commissioners shall meet for this purpose upon the Monday and Tuesday following the canvass, and shall remain in session between the hours of 8 o’clock a.m. and 10 o’clock p.m., and the precinct election officials who made the canvass of the precinct shall meet with them as may be required by the Board of Election Commissioners.
If any person to whom such notice has been sent, shall appear before the Board of Election Commissioners during the session, he shall make oath and sign an affidavit in substance as follows:
“I do solemnly swear that I am a citizen of the United States and that I have resided in the …. precinct of the …. Ward of the City of …., in the State of Illinois, since the …. day of ….; and that I have never been convicted of any crime (or if convicted, state the time and when pardoned by the Governor of any State).”
This affidavit shall be signed and sworn to before one of such Board of Election Commissioners, or the clerk of the board, and it shall be filed in the office of the Board of Election Commissioners and be preserved for 60 days.
Thereupon the Board of Election Commissioners shall further examine him and shall also swear such canvassers or the precinct election officials as the case may be, and hear them upon the question, and the Board of Election Commissioners shall have the power to send one or both of the canvassers or precinct election officials, as the case may be, to make further examination and inquiry at the place claimed by such person to be his residence, and again examine such canvassers or precinct election officials touching the same; and if after such further examination and hearing, the majority of the board in question are of the opinion that such person is not a qualified voter in such precinct, they shall indicate in the proper manner that the card of such person shall be removed from the precinct file.
At the close of any such session, if any person so notified to appear at such session has not appeared and shown cause why the card bearing his name should not be withdrawn from the precinct file, the same shall be withdrawn from the file.
The Board of Election Commissioners shall, however, keep the cancelled cards in a suspense file for 2 years and reinstate them at any time within such 2 year suspense period, when a person’s registration is cancelled under this or other Sections of this Article for failure to apply for reinstatement or to appear in proper time, and there is sufficient subsequent showing that he is a duly qualified elector.
Either of said canvassers shall have the power and right of both in the matter pertaining to such canvass; but in case either refuses or neglects to make such canvass as aforesaid, then the other may make such canvass alone.
In case of the temporary disability upon the part of either canvasser, the remaining canvasser shall appoint a temporary canvasser who shall represent and be affiliated with the same political party as the canvasser whose place is being filled, and shall administer to him the usual oath of office for canvassers. Such temporary canvasser shall perform all the duties of the office until the disability of the regular canvasser is removed.
(Source: P.A. 82-373.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-42) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-42)
Sec. 6-42. With respect to those who register at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners preceding the election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1936, as provided by Section 6-29 of this Article, and preceding the last day of registration as provided for in Section 6-49.1, such board shall, immediately after completion of the precinct registration, or by the last day of such registration, transmit to the deputy registrar of each precinct the original registration record cards of each person who has registered at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners as a qualified elector of such precinct; and the provisions of Sections 6-38, 6-39, 6-40 and 6-41, of this Article shall apply to the persons registered at such office in the same manner as if they had registered in the precinct. The Board of Election Commissioners shall have power to provide by rule for the manner of returning such original registration cards and for a separate report upon electors who have registered at its office.
(Source: Laws 1961, p. 1806.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-43) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-43)
Sec. 6-43. Immediately after the completion of the revision by the Board of Election Commissioners, the board shall cause copies to be made of all names upon the registration record cards not marked or erased, with the address, and shall have the same arranged according to the streets, avenues, courts, or alleys, commencing with the lowest number, and arranging the same in order according to the street numbers, and shall then cause such precinct register, upon such arrangement, to be printed in plain, large type in sufficient numbers to meet all demands, and upon application a copy of the same shall be given to any person applying therefor. Provided, however, that in municipalities having a population of more than 500,000 and having a Board of Election Commissioners, as to all elections, excepting any elections held for the purpose of electing judges of the circuit courts, registrations for which are made solely before the Board of Election Commissioners, and where no general precinct registrations were provided for or held within 27 days before the election, the Board of Election Commissioners shall cause, within 10 days after the last day of registration before such board, copies to be made of all names of qualified electors appearing upon each registration record card in like manner as hereinabove provided, and upon application a copy of the same shall be given to any person applying therefor: Provided, further, that whenever an election is held within 90 days after a preceding election, or when any elections are held for the purpose of electing judges of the circuit courts, the printed list and the supplement thereto provided for the last preceding election shall constitute the Printed Precinct Register for the ensuing election, subject to such changes as shall be made, if any, as herein provided, which changes, if any, and the contents of any supplemental list, insofar as the latter have not been changed pursuant to this Act, shall be printed in a new supplemental list which shall supplant the prior supplemental list and shall be delivered to the judges of the respective precincts, with the printed register and the certification, in the manner and at the time provided in Sections 6-48 and 6-60 of this Article. Such list shall have printed on the bottom thereof the facsimile signatures of the members of the Board of Election Commissioners certifying that the names on the list are the names of all voters entitled to vote in the precinct indicated on the top thereof. Such list shall be termed the “Printed Precinct Register” and shall be prima facie evidence that the electors whose names appear thereon are entitled to vote. Provided that if, on order of the Board of Election Commissioners a corrected or revised precinct register of voters in a precinct or precincts is printed, such list or lists shall have printed thereon the day and month of such revision and shall be designated “Revised Precinct Register of Voters.”
Any elector whose name does not appear as a registered voter on such printed precinct register, supplemental list or any list provided for in this Article and whose name has not been erased or withdrawn shall be entitled to vote as hereinafter in this Article provided if his registration card is in the master file. Such elector shall within 7 days after the publication of such printed precinct register, file with the Board of Election Commissioners an application stating that he is a duly registered voter and that his registration card is in the master file. The Board shall hold a hearing upon such application within 2 days after the filing thereof and shall announce its decision thereon within 3 days after the hearing. If the name of such applicant appears upon the registration card in the master file, the board shall issue to such elector a certificate setting forth that his name does so appear and certifying that he has the right to vote at the next succeeding election. Such certificate shall be issued in duplicate, one to be retained in the files of the board, and the other to be issued to the elector.
The Board of Election Commissioners upon the issuance of such certificate shall see that the name of such elector appears upon the precinct registry list in the precinct.
(Source: P.A. 92-816, eff. 8-21-02.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-44) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-44)
Sec. 6-44. Any voter or voters in the ward, village or incorporated town containing such precinct, and any precinct committeeperson in the county, may, between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and six p.m. of Monday and Tuesday of the second week prior to the week in which such election is to be held make application in writing, before such board of election commissioners, to have any name upon such register of any precinct erased. However, in municipalities having a population of more than 500,000 and having a board of election commissioners (except as otherwise provided for such municipalities in Section 6-60 of this Article) and in all cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of such board, such application shall be made between the hours of nine o’clock a.m. and six o’clock p.m. of Monday and Tuesday of the second week prior to the week in which such election is to be held. Such application shall be, in substance, in the words and figures following:
“I, being a qualified voter, registered from No. …. street in the …. precinct of the …. ward of the city (village or town) of …. do hereby solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have personal knowledge that …. registered from No. …. street is not a qualified voter in the …. precinct of the …. ward of the city (village or town) of …. and hence I ask that his name be erased from the register of such precinct for the following reason ….
Affiant further says that he has personal knowledge of the facts set forth in the above affidavit.
(Signed)….
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
….
….”
Such application shall be signed and sworn to by the applicant before any member of the board or the clerk thereof and filed with said board. Thereupon notice of such application, with a demand to appear before the board of election commissioners and show cause why his name shall not be erased from said register, shall be personally served upon such person or left at his place of residence indicated in such register, or in the case of a homeless individual, at his or her mailing address, by a messenger of said board of election commissioners, and, as to the manner and time of serving such notice such messenger shall make affidavit; the messenger shall also make affidavit of the fact in case he cannot find such person or his place of residence, and that he went to the place named on such register as his or her place of residence. Such notice shall be served at least one day before the time fixed for such party to show cause.
The commissioners shall also cause a like notice or demand to be sent by mail duly stamped and directed, to such person, to the address upon the register at least 2 days before the day fixed in the notice to show cause.
A like notice shall be served on the person or persons making the application to have the name upon such register erased to appear and show cause why said name shall be erased, the notice to set out the day and hour of such hearing. If the voter making such application fails to appear before said board at the time set for the hearing as fixed in the notice or fails to show cause why the name upon such register shall be erased, the application may be dismissed by the board.
Any voter making such application or applications shall be privileged from arrest while presenting the same to the board of election commissioners, and while going to and returning from the board of election commissioners.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-45) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-45)
Sec. 6-45. A docket of all applications to said board of election commissioners, whether such application shall be made for the purpose of being registered or restored, or for the purpose of erasing a name on the register or for completing registration shall be made out in the order of the wards and precincts as the case may be. Such docket shall show the disposition of each case and be available to the public. In cities, villages or incorporated towns having a population of less than 500,000 the commissioners shall sit to hear such applications between the hours of 10 o’clock a. m., and 9 o’clock p. m. on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday immediately preceding such election, and in cities, villages and incorporated towns having a population of over 500,000 and having a board of election commissioners, (except as otherwise provided for such municipalities in Section 6-60 of this Article), and in all cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of such board, such commissioners shall sit to hear such applications between the hours of 10 o’clock a. m. and 9 o’clock p. m., on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the second week prior to the week in which such election is to be held. At the request of either party to such applications, the board shall issue subpoenas to witnesses to appear at such hearings, and witnesses may be sworn and examined upon the hearing of said application. Each person appearing in response to an application to have a name erased shall deliver to the board a written affidavit, which shall be, in substance, in the words and figures following:
“I do solemnly swear that I am a citizen of the United States; that I have resided in the State of Illinois since the …. day of …. and in the county of …. said State, since the …. day of …. and in the …. precinct of the …. ward, in the city of …. said county and State, since the …. day of …. and that I am …. years of age; that I am the identical person registered in said precinct under the name I subscribe hereto.”
This answer shall be signed and sworn to or affirmed before any person authorized to administer oaths or affirmations. The decision on each application shall be announced at once after hearing, and a minute made thereof, and when an application to be registered or to be restored to such register or to complete registration shall be allowed the said board of election commissioners shall cause a minute to be made upon the original and duplicate registration records. And where an application to erase a name shall be allowed, the board of election commissioners shall cause the name to be erased forthwith, and the registration record card withdrawn.
In cities, villages and incorporated towns of 500,000 or more inhabitants, having a board of election commissioners, and in cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of such board of election commissioners, applications under this section and hearings or citations under Sections 6-56, 6-59 and 6-60 hereof, may be heard by individual commissioners or by persons specially designated by the commissioners for this purpose, and a decision by such individual commissioner or person so designated, shall become the decision of the board of election commissioners upon approval of such board.
(Source: Laws 1947, p. 899.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-46) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-46)
Sec. 6-46. The circuit court of the county in which such city, village or incorporated town shall be located, shall, on Friday and Saturday of the week prior to the week in which such election is to be held, especially sit to hear such applications as shall be made to it to be placed upon the registry in any particular precinct: Provided, however, that the circuit court of any county in which a municipality is located having a population of over 200,000 and having a board of election commissioners, and in cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of such board, shall especially sit to hear such applications on Monday and Tuesday of the first week prior to the week in which such election is to be held. Such application shall be sworn to, and shall state that the party making the same has applied to the precinct registration officers, or to the board of election commissioners, and that said precinct registration officers, or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, refused to place his name upon such registry or to complete his registration or has stricken his name from such registry. Application shall be made on or before the opening of the court on Friday or Monday last aforesaid, as the case may be, and the court shall cause a docket of such applications to be made out, arranged by wards and precincts, and the same shall be heard, summarily and evidence may be introduced for and against such application. Each case shall be decided at once on hearings and the clerk of the court shall make a minute of the disposition of each application; a copy of such minute shall at once be given to the board of election commissioners which shall forthwith cause such name to be placed upon the original and duplicate registration records if the court has so ordered, and indicate that it was entered by order of court. After the entry of the order to be restored, or to be registered or to complete registration, no further change shall be permitted in the original and duplicate registration records by the board of election commissioners, and such records shall constitute the official registration for the election to be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1936. No person admitted to the register by order of such court shall be protected by such order from a criminal prosecution for any violation of the provisions of this Act.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 3481.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-47) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-47)
Sec. 6-47. In case said court shall refuse any such application, an order shall be entered accordingly on the Wednesday following the session of the court held for the purpose aforesaid. Appeals may be taken as in other civil cases.
(Source: P.A. 79-1364.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-48) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-48)
Sec. 6-48. A supplemental list of all persons whose registration shall have been ordered restored or completed by order of the board of election commissioners or by order of the circuit court, under Sections 6-45 and 6-46 of this Article, and a supplemental list of all persons erased or withdrawn from such register by order of the board, under Sections 6-45 or 6-60 of this Article, shall be printed by such board in sufficient quantity to accommodate each precinct, and the board shall cause copies thereof to be delivered to all persons demanding the same. If the names of no persons have been added, erased or withdrawn, a supplemental list shall be printed stating that fact. The board of election commissioners shall post one copy of the printed register in each polling place not later than the fifth day before the election and one copy of the supplemental list on the day before the election. Before the opening of the polls on the day of election, the board of election commissioners shall deliver to the judges of each precinct where such election is to be held, the printed register required by Section 6-43 of this Article and the supplemental list or lists aforesaid, together with a certification thereof bearing the facsimile signature of the executive director of the board attesting that the persons whose names appear on such printed register as revised or corrected by the supplemental list or lists, are qualified to vote at such election in the precinct indicated at the top of the list. The printed register, and supplemental list or lists, together with the certification of the executive director shall be firmly attached to each other.
In case the printed register or supplemental list or lists, together with the certification by the executive director of the board be lost or destroyed, the board of election commissioners shall furnish a duplicate thereof upon request of any judge of election.
The original and supplemental lists may be consolidated into one list. In the event of such consolidation the certification herein required by the executive director shall be attached to such consolidated list.
(Source: P.A. 82-373.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-49) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-49)
Sec. 6-49. The registration hereinabove provided preceding the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1936, shall constitute a permanent registration, subject to revision and alteration in the manner hereinafter provided. However, except as provided in Section 6-49.1 of this Article, the registration hereinabove provided for shall constitute a permanent registration only until September 15, 1961, in municipalities having 3 days of precinct registration preceding the 1962 primary election and only until the last day of precinct re-registration in 1970 in other municipalities, at which time such registrations shall become null and void and shall be cancelled immediately thereafter by such Board.
All registrations subsequent to that hereinbefore provided shall be upon registration record cards provided by the Board of Election Commissioners in accordance with the provisions of Section 6-35 of this Article.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 2987.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-49.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-49.1)
Sec. 6-49.1. In municipalities of 500,000 or more inhabitants having a Board of Election Commissioners and in all cities, villages and incorporated towns under the jurisdiction of such Board of Election Commissioners there shall be 3 days of registration in each precinct preceding the April 10, 1962 State and County Primary Election. The first of such 3 days of registration shall be on Friday, September 15, 1961; the second of such 3 days of registration shall be on Friday, October 13, 1961; and the third of such 3 days of registration shall be on Tuesday, March 13, 1962. Any registration received by the Board of Election Commissioners after July 15, 1961 shall be considered a part of the re-registration required by this Section and shall constitute a permanent registration subject to revision and alteration in the manner hereafter provided in this Article. In all other cities, villages and incorporated towns the registration heretofore in effect shall continue unless the Board of Election Commissioners for any such other cities, villages or incorporated towns files with the clerk of such other city, village or incorporated town, prior to October 15, 1969, a resolution, or copy thereof, expressing the need for a general registration therein preceding the June, 1970, State and county primary election. If such resolution is so filed, there shall be a re-registration in 1969 and 1970 as hereinafter in this Section provided. The registration herein provided in this Section 6-49.1 shall constitute a permanent registration subject to revision and alteration in the manner hereinafter provided in this Article.
In municipalities having fewer than 500,000 inhabitants and having a board of election commissioners and in which a resolution expressing the need for a general registration preceding the June, 1970, primary has been filed as provided in this Section, there shall be 3 days of registration in each precinct preceding the primary election of June 9, 1970. The first of such 3 days of registration shall be Friday, November 21, 1969; the second, Friday, December 19, 1969; and the third, Tuesday, January 15, 1970. Any registration received by the board of election commissioners after September 1, 1970, shall be considered a part of the re-registration required by this Section and shall constitute a permanent registration subject to revision and alteration in the manner hereinafter provided in this Article.
The place of registration in each precinct shall be designated by the Board of Election Commissioners and public notice thereof given, and the provisions of Article 11, Section 11-4 of this Act shall apply thereto. The registration places so designated shall be open from 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. on each of such days of registration. All of the provisions of this Article 6 shall apply to such registration.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 2987.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-50) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-50)
Sec. 6-50. The office of the board of election commissioners shall be open during ordinary business hours of each week day, from 9 a.m. to 12 o’clock noon on the last four Saturdays immediately preceding the end of the period of registration preceding each election, and such other days and such other times as the board may direct. There shall be no registration at the office of the board of election commissioners in cities, villages and incorporated towns of fewer than 200,000 inhabitants during the 27 days preceding any primary, regular or special election at which the cards provided for in this article are used, or until the second day following such primary, regular or special election. In cities, villages and incorporated towns of 200,000 or more inhabitants, there shall be no registration of voters at the office of the board of election commissioners during the 35 days immediately preceding any election; provided, however, where no precinct registration is being conducted prior to any election then registration may be taken in the office of the board up to and including the 28th day prior to such election. In any election called for the submission of the revision or alteration of, or the amendments to the Constitution, submitted by a Constitutional Convention, the final day for registration at the office of the election authority charged with the printing of the ballot of this election shall be the 15th day prior to the date of election.
The Board of Election Commissioners shall appoint one or more registration teams, each consisting of one member from each of the 2 leading political parties, for the purpose of accepting the registration of any voter who files an affidavit, within the period for taking registrations provided for in this Article, that he is physically unable to appear at the office of the Board or at any appointed place of registration. On the day or days when a precinct registration is being conducted such teams shall consist of one member from each of the 2 leading political parties who are serving on the precinct registration board. Each team so designated shall visit each person with a disability and shall accept the registration of such person the same as if he had applied for registration in person.
The office of the board of election commissioners may be designated as a place of registration under Section 6-51 of this Article and, if so designated, may also be open for purposes of registration on such day or days as may be specified by the board of election commissioners under the provisions of that Section.
(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-50.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-50.1)
Sec. 6-50.1. In addition to registration at the office of the board of election commissioners, the board of election commissioners shall provide the following methods of registration:
(1) The appointment of deputy registrars as provided in Section 6-50.2;

(2) The establishment of temporary places of registration as provided in Section 6-50.3.
The board of election commissioners may provide for registration pursuant to Section 6-51.
(Source: P.A. 83-1059.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-50.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-50.2)
Sec. 6-50.2. (a) The board of election commissioners shall appoint all precinct committeepersons in the election jurisdiction as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State, except during the 27 days preceding an election.
The board of election commissioners shall appoint each of the following named persons as deputy registrars upon the written request of such persons:

1. The chief librarian, or a qualified person designated by the chief librarian, of any public library situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State, at such library.

2. The principal, or a qualified person designated by the principal, of any high school, elementary school, or vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State, at such school. The board of election commissioners shall notify every principal and vice-principal of each high school, elementary school, and vocational school situated in the election jurisdiction of their eligibility to serve as deputy registrars and offer training courses for service as deputy registrars at conveniently located facilities at least 4 months prior to every election.

3. The president, or a qualified person designated by the president, of any university, college, community college, academy or other institution of learning situated within the State, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the election jurisdiction, at such university, college, community college, academy or institution.

4. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide labor organization, or a reasonable number of qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State.

5. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide State civic organization, as defined and determined by rule of the State Board of Elections, or qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State. In determining the number of deputy registrars that shall be appointed, the board of election commissioners shall consider the population of the jurisdiction, the size of the organization, the geographic size of the jurisdiction, convenience for the public, the existing number of deputy registrars in the jurisdiction and their location, the registration activities of the organization and the need to appoint deputy registrars to assist and facilitate the registration of non-English speaking individuals. In no event shall a board of election commissioners fix an arbitrary number applicable to every civic organization requesting appointment of its members as deputy registrars. The State Board of Elections shall by rule provide for certification of bona fide State civic organizations. Such appointments shall be made for a period not to exceed 2 years, terminating on the first business day of the month following the month of the general election, and shall be valid for all periods of voter registration as provided by this Code during the terms of such appointments.

6. The Director of Healthcare and Family Services, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at public aid offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the election jurisdiction at any such public aid office.

7. The Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at unemployment offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the election jurisdiction at any such unemployment office. If the request to be appointed as deputy registrar is denied, the board of election commissioners shall, within 10 days after the date the request is submitted, provide the affected individual or organization with written notice setting forth the specific reasons or criteria relied upon to deny the request to be appointed as deputy registrar.

8. The president of any corporation, as defined by the Business Corporation Act of 1983, or a reasonable number of employees designated by such president, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State.

The board of election commissioners may appoint as many additional deputy registrars as it considers necessary. The board of election commissioners shall appoint such additional deputy registrars in such manner that the convenience of the public is served, giving due consideration to both population concentration and area. Some of the additional deputy registrars shall be selected so that there are an equal number from each of the 2 major political parties in the election jurisdiction. The board of election commissioners, in appointing an additional deputy registrar, shall make the appointment from a list of applicants submitted by the Chair of the County Central Committee of the applicant’s political party. A Chair of a County Central Committee shall submit a list of applicants to the board by November 30 of each year. The board may require a Chair of a County Central Committee to furnish a supplemental list of applicants.
Deputy registrars may accept registrations at any time other than the 27 day period preceding an election. All persons appointed as deputy registrars shall be registered voters within the election jurisdiction and shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of registration officer to the best of my ability and that I will register no person nor cause the registration of any person except upon his personal application before me.
………………………………
(Signature of Registration Officer)”
This oath shall be administered and certified to by one of the commissioners or by the executive director or by some person designated by the board of election commissioners, and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the board of election commissioners. The members of the board of election commissioners and all persons authorized by them under the provisions of this Article to take registrations, after themselves taking and subscribing to the above oath, are authorized to take or administer such oaths and execute such affidavits as are required by this Article.
Appointments of deputy registrars under this Section, except precinct committeepersons, shall be for 2-year terms, commencing on December 1 following the general election of each even-numbered year, except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be until December 1st following the next general election. Appointments of precinct committeepersons shall be for 2-year terms commencing on the date of the county convention following the general primary at which they were elected. The county clerk shall issue a certificate of appointment to each deputy registrar, and shall maintain in his office for public inspection a list of the names of all appointees.

(b) The board of election commissioners shall be responsible for training all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a), at times and locations reasonably convenient for both the board of election commissioners and such appointees. The board of election commissioners shall be responsible for certifying and supervising all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a). Deputy registrars appointed under subsection (a) shall be subject to removal for cause.

(c) Completed registration materials under the control of deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be returned to the appointing election authority by first-class mail within 2 business days or personal delivery within 7 days, except that completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars during the period between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the appointing election authority within 48 hours after receipt thereof. The completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars on the 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars within 24 hours after receipt thereof. Unused materials shall be returned by deputy registrars appointed pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection (a), not later than the next working day following the close of registration.

(d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must provide any additional forms requested by any deputy registrar regardless of the number of unaccounted registration forms the deputy registrar may have in his or her possession.

(e) No deputy registrar shall engage in any electioneering or the promotion of any cause during the performance of his or her duties.

(f) The board of election commissioners shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the acts or omissions of any deputy registrar. Such deputy registrars shall not be deemed to be employees of the board of election commissioners.

(g) Completed registration materials returned by deputy registrars for persons residing outside the election jurisdiction shall be transmitted by the board of election commissioners within 2 days after receipt to the election authority of the person’s election jurisdiction of residence.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-50.3) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-50.3)
Sec. 6-50.3. The board of election commissioners may establish temporary places of registration for such times and at such locations as the board may select. Notice of the time and place of registration at any such temporary place of registration under this Section shall be published by the board of election commissioners in a newspaper having a general circulation in the city, village or incorporated town not less than 3 nor more than 15 days before the holding of such registration.
Temporary places of registration shall be established so that the areas of concentration of population or use by the public are served, whether by facilities provided in places of private business or in public buildings or in mobile units. Areas which may be designated as temporary places of registration include, but are not limited to, facilities licensed or certified pursuant to the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act, Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Homes, shopping centers, business districts, public buildings and county fairs.
Temporary places of registration shall be available to the public not less than 2 hours per year for each 1,000 population or fraction thereof in the county.
All temporary places of registration shall be manned by employees of the board of election commissioners or deputy registrars appointed pursuant to Section 6-50.2.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-51) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-51)
Sec. 6-51. Prior to any election the board of election commissioners may, in the manner provided by this Section, designate convenient places in the city, village or incorporated town for the registration of voters. A list of such places shall be submitted to and be subject to the approval of the circuit court, and notice of the time and place for such registration shall be given by publication in a newspaper in such city, village or incorporated town 20 days before such registration. In cities, villages and incorporated towns of 200,000 or more, at least one such place shall be designated for each 30,000 inhabitants, and at least one shall be designated for each ward of such city, village or incorporated town and for each city, village or incorporated town under the jurisdiction of a board of election commissioners; but the requirement of one place of registration for each 30,000 inhabitants shall not apply to special elections for a city, village or incorporated town, or any part thereof, or to any judicial election at which no officers other than judicial officers are to be elected, or to any election, general, special or municipal (including a primary election) that shall be held on or before July 1, in the year immediately following a congressional election.
The places so designated for registration shall be open from 8 o’clock a. m., to 9 o’clock p. m., on such day or days (not exceeding 2) as may be specified by the board of election commissioners, but shall not be open on any day more than 38 days preceding the election or at any time subsequent to Tuesday, 4 weeks before the election; provided that in municipalities of more than 200,000 and having a board of election commissioners and in cities, villages and incorporated towns within the jurisdiction of such board, such place may be opened on such day or days as may be specified by the board of election commissioners but shall not be open on any day more than 38 days preceding the election, and shall not be open at any time subsequent to Tuesday, 4 weeks before the election.
(Source: P.A. 80-704.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-52) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-52)
Sec. 6-52. Registration under Sections 6-49.1, 6-50, 6-50.2, 6-50.3 and 6-51 of this Article shall be made in the manner provided by Sections 6-34, 6-35 and 6-37 of this Article. With respect to registrations at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners under Section 6-50 hereof, applications to complete registrations and hearings thereon shall (except as may be otherwise provided in Sections 6-43 and 6-60 of this Article) be made and heard at such times as may by rule be prescribed by the Board of Election Commissioners, but the hearing and decision thereof by the Board of Election Commissioners shall be within 30 days after the application for registration. In such cases and in all other cases not specifically provided for by this Article, applications for hearings by the court may be made within 5 days after decision by the board in the manner provided by Section 6-46, and a hearing and decision by such court shall be had within 30 days after such application. Appeals may be taken as in other civil cases. In all cases where registration is had at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners within 42 days before any election hearings by such board and by the court shall (except as may be otherwise provided in Sections 6-43 and 6-60 of this Article) be on the days preceding the election specified in Sections 6-45 and 6-46 of this Article. Hearings and decisions shall be had within the periods specified by such sections.
(Source: P.A. 79-1364.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-53) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-53)
Sec. 6-53. Any registered elector who changes his residence from one address number or place to another within the same precinct, city or village or incorporated town, may have his registration transferred to his new address by making and signing an application for such change of residence address upon a form to be provided by such board of election commissioners. Such application may be made to the office of such board or at any place designated in accordance with Section 6-51 of this Article.
Upon receipt of such application the board of election commissioners or officer, employee or deputy registrar designated by such board shall cause the signature of the voter and the data appearing upon the application to be compared with the signature and data on the registration record, and if it appears that the applicant is the same person as the party previously registered under that name, the transfer shall be made. In case the person is unable to sign his name the board of election commissioners shall require such person to execute the request in the presence of the board or of its properly authorized representative, by his mark, and if satisfied of the identity of the person, the board of election commissioners shall make the transfer. The person in charge of the registration shall draw a line through the last address, ward and precinct number on the original and duplicate and write the new address, ward and precinct number on the original and duplicate registration records.
Any registered elector may transfer his registration only at any such time as is provided by this Article for the registration of voters at the office of the board. When a removal of a registered voter takes place from one address to another within the same precinct within a period during which such transfer of registration cannot be made, before any election or primary, he shall be entitled to vote upon presenting to the judges of election an affidavit of a change and having said affidavit supported by the affidavit of a qualified voter who is a householder in the same precinct. Suitable forms for this purpose shall be provided by the board of election commissioners whose duty it is to conduct the election; and thereupon the precinct election officials shall report to the board of election commissioners the names of all such persons who have changed their address and voted.
The board of election commissioners may obtain information from utility companies, city records, the post office or from other sources regarding the removal of registered voters, and notify such voters that a transfer of registration may be made in the manner provided by this section.
If any person be registered by error in a precinct other than that in which he resides, a transfer of registration to the precinct in which he resides may be made in the manner provided by this section.
Where a revision or rearrangement of precincts is made by the board of election commissioners under the power conferred by Section 11-3 of Article 11 of this Act, such board shall immediately transfer to the proper precinct the registration of any voter affected by such revision or rearrangement of precincts; make the proper notations on the cards in the master and precinct files; and shall notify the registrant of such change.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 3449.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-54) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-54)
Sec. 6-54. Any registered voter who changes his or her name by marriage or otherwise, shall be required to register anew and authorize the cancellation of the previous registration; provided, however, that if the change of name takes place within a period during which such new registration cannot be made, next preceding any election or primary, the elector may, if otherwise qualified, vote upon making the following affidavit before the judges of election:
“I do solemnly swear that I am the same person now registered in the …. precinct of the …. ward, under the name of …. and that I still reside in said precinct.
(Signed)….”
If the voter whose name has changed still resides in the same precinct, the voter may vote after making the affidavit at the polling place regardless of when the change of name occurred. In that event, the affidavit shall not state that the voter is required to register; the affidavit shall be treated by the election authority as authorization to cancel the registration under the former name, and the election authority shall register the voter under his or her current name.
(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-55) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-55)
Sec. 6-55. The board of election commissioners shall obtain the reports provided for by sections 6-61 and 6-62 of this Article and shall cancel the registration of criminals and of deceased persons whose names are reported to it.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-56) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-56)
Sec. 6-56. Not more than 30 nor less than 28 days before any election under this Article, all owners, managers, administrators or operators of hotels, lodging houses, rooming houses, furnished apartments or facilities licensed or certified under the Nursing Home Care Act, which house 4 or more persons, outside the members of the family of such owner, manager, administrator or operator, shall file with the board of election commissioners a report, under oath, together with one copy thereof, in such form as may be required by the board of election commissioners, of the names and descriptions of all lodgers, guests or residents claiming a voting residence at the hotels, lodging houses, rooming houses, furnished apartments, or facility licensed or certified under the Nursing Home Care Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013, the ID/DD Community Care Act, or the MC/DD Act under their control. In counties having a population of 500,000 or more such report shall be made on forms mailed to them by the board of election commissioners. The board of election commissioners shall sort and assemble the sworn copies of the reports in numerical order according to ward and according to precincts within each ward and shall, not later than 5 days after the last day allowed by this Article for the filing of the reports, maintain one assembled set of sworn duplicate reports available for public inspection until 60 days after election days. Except as is otherwise expressly provided in this Article, the board shall not be required to perform any duties with respect to the sworn reports other than to mail, sort, assemble, post and file them as hereinabove provided.
Except in such cases where a precinct canvass is being conducted by the Board of Election Commissioners prior to a Primary or Election, the board of election commissioners shall compare the original copy of each such report with the list of registered voters from such addresses. Every person registered from such address and not listed in such report or whose name is different from any name so listed, shall immediately after the last day of registration be sent a notice through the United States mail, at the address appearing upon his registration record card, requiring him to appear before the board of election commissioners on one of the days specified in Section 6-45 of this Article and show cause why his registration should not be cancelled. The provisions of Sections 6-45, 6-46 and 6-47 of this Article shall apply to such hearing and proceedings subsequent thereto.
Any owner, manager or operator of any such hotel, lodging house, rooming house or furnished apartment who shall fail or neglect to file such statement and copy thereof as in this Article provided, may, upon written information of the attorney for the election commissioners, be cited by the election commissioners or upon the complaint of any voter of such city, village or incorporated town, to appear before them and furnish such sworn statement and copy thereof and make such oral statements under oath regarding such hotel, lodging house, rooming house or furnished apartment, as the election commissioners may require. The election commissioners shall sit to hear such citations on the Friday of the fourth week preceding the week in which such election is to be held. Such citation shall be served not later than the day preceding the day on which it is returnable.
(Source: P.A. 98-104, eff. 7-22-13; 99-180, eff. 7-29-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-57) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-57)
Sec. 6-57. To each person who registers at the office of the board of election commissioners or at any place designated by such board under Section 6-51 of this Article, after the first registration under this Article, the board shall send by mail, and electronic mail if the registrant has provided the board of election committees with an e-mail address, a notice setting forth the elector’s name and address as it appears on the registration record card, and shall request him in case of any error to present the notice on or before the tenth day next ensuing at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners in order to secure the correction of the error. Such notice shall contain on the outside a request for the postmaster to return it within five days if it cannot be delivered to the addressee at the address given thereon. Upon the return by the post office of any such notice which it has been unable to deliver at the given address because the addressee cannot be found there, a notice shall be at once sent through the United States mail to such person at the address appearing upon his registration record card requiring him to appear before the Board of Election Commissioners at a time and place specified in the notice and show cause why his name should not be cancelled from the register. Thereafter, proceedings shall be, as nearly as may be, in conformity with those established by Section 6-52 of this Article with respect to applications to complete registration. Such notice may be sent at any time within thirty days after the registration of any person, but such notice shall be sent within five days after the last day of registration before any election, to all persons who have registered since the last preceding election, and to whom no such notice has theretofore been sent; and where the addressee cannot be found, notice requiring such person to appear before the board of election commissioners shall specify dates for hearing before the election not later than those prescribed by Section 6-45 of this Article.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 10-1-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-58) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-58)
Sec. 6-58. Following each general election occurring in November of even numbered years, beginning in 1940, the board of election commissioners shall examine the registration records and shall send to every voter who has not voted during the last four years, a notice through the mails, substantially as follows:
NOTICE OF SUSPENSION OF REGISTRATION
“You are hereby notified that your registration will be cancelled according to law for failure to vote during the last four years, unless you apply for reinstatement within thirty days. You may reinstate your registration by signing the statement below and returning it to this office or by making application in person to do so.”
“APPLICATION FOR REINSTATEMENT OF
REGISTRATION
I hereby certify that I still reside at the address from which I am registered and apply for reinstatement of my registration:
Signed ….
Present address ….
Date ….”
In case the elector is unable to sign his name, the application for reinstatement shall be made at the office of the board of election commissioners.
After the expiration of thirty days the board of election commissioners shall cancel the registration of all electors thus notified who have not applied for reinstatement. A proper entry shall be made on the registration record for all electors whose registration is reinstated. Any elector whose registration has been cancelled for failure to vote may register again by making application therefor in the manner provided by this Article.
When a registration is cancelled under this or other sections of this Article, a proper entry shall be made upon the face of the original and duplicate records, which shall then be placed in a file of cancelled registrations and shall be preserved for two years from date of cancellation.
The Board of Election Commissioners shall, however, keep the cancelled cards in a suspense file for 2 years and reinstate them at any time within such 2 year suspense period, when a person’s registration is cancelled under this or other Sections of this Article for failure to apply for reinstatement or to appear in proper time, and there is sufficient subsequent showing that he is a duly qualified elector.
(Source: P.A. 81-155.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-59) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-59)
Sec. 6-59. The Board of Election Commissioners on its own initiative, or upon order of the circuit court, shall at all times have authority to conduct investigations and to make canvasses of the registered voters in any precinct or precincts within its jurisdiction either by the methods provided in this Article or at other times and by other methods than those prescribed herein. However, the Board of Election Commissioners shall, at least once in every 2 years, conduct a verification of voter registrations and shall cause the cancellation of registration of persons who have ceased to be qualified voters. Such verification shall be accomplished by one of the following methods: (1) precinct canvass conducted by 2 qualified persons of opposite party affiliation appointed by the Board of Election Commissioners or (2) written request sent to each registered voter by first class mail, not forwardable or (3) an alternative method of verification submitted in writing to and approved by The State Board of Elections at a public meeting not less than 60 days prior to the date on which the Board of Election Commissioners has fixed for implementation of that method of verification; provided, said Board shall submit to the State Board of Elections a written statement of the results obtained by use of such alternative method within 30 days of the completion of the verification. If, upon the basis of investigations or canvasses, the board shall be of the opinion that any person registered under this Article is not a qualified voter or has ceased to be a qualified voter, it shall send a notice through the United States mail to such person, requiring him to appear before such board at a time specified in such notice, not less than 10 nor more than 30 days after the mailing of such notice and show cause why his registration should not be cancelled. If such a person does not appear, his registration shall be cancelled. If such a person does appear he shall make an affidavit and shall be heard in the manner provided by Section 6-45 of this Article, and if his registration is cancelled as a result of such a hearing, he shall be entitled to a hearing in the circuit court and to an appeal to the Supreme Court in the manner provided by Section 6-52 of this Article.
Whenever the Board of Election Commissioners acting under authority of this section conducts a canvass of the registered voters in any precinct or precincts and the board designates canvassers to conduct the canvass, the board shall appoint as canvassers persons affiliated with the leading political parties in like manner as judges of election are appointed under the provisions of Section 14-4 of this Act; provided that in each precinct in counties of 500,000 inhabitants or more, one canvasser may be appointed from outside such precinct if not enough other qualified persons who reside within the precinct can be found to serve as canvasser in such precinct. The one canvasser so appointed to serve in any precinct in which he is not entitled to vote prior to the election must be entitled to vote elsewhere within the ward or township which includes within its boundaries the precinct in which such canvasser is appointed and such canvasser must be otherwise qualified.
The canvassers, so appointed by virtue of this section, shall comply with the provisions of Sections 6-40 and 6-41 relative to the mailing and leaving of notices at the addresses of persons whose right to vote in the precinct or precincts is questioned.
(Source: P.A. 81-1433.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-59.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-59.01)
Sec. 6-59.01. Each registered voter lacking a permanent abode shall be canvassed by the board of election commissioners before each election. The canvass shall be by mail sent not later than 49 days preceding the election to the mailing address listed on the voter’s registration record card. The board shall include in the mailing a postage prepaid return postcard. The voter must certify on the postcard his or her continued residence at the registration address and mail the postcard back to the board so that it is postmarked no later than the 26th day preceding the election.
If an application for registration is presented within the 49 day period preceding an election, then this Section shall not apply and the provisions of this Article with respect to the mailing of a verification of a registration notice shall be a canvass, except that such notice shall be mailed to the registrant’s mailing address.
(Source: P.A. 87-1241.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-59.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-59.1)
Sec. 6-59.1. The board of election commissioners and its appointed deputy registrars shall accept the registration of any qualified person residing in the county in which the municipality under the jurisdiction of such board is situated and shall transmit such registrations to the county clerk prior to the close of registration before an election.
(Source: P.A. 83-1059.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-60) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-60)
Sec. 6-60. Immediately after the last registration day before any election, except as is otherwise provided in Section 6-43 of this Article, the board of election commissioners shall prepare and print precinct registers in the manner provided by Section 6-43 of this article, and make such copies available to any person applying therefor. Provided, however, that in cities, villages and incorporated towns of less than 200,000 inhabitants such printed lists shall be prepared only before a general election. On the precinct registers, the board of election commissioners shall indicate, by italics, asterisk, or other means, the names of all persons who have registered since the last regularly scheduled election in the consolidated schedule of elections established in Section 2A-1.1 of this Act.
Prior to the general election of even-numbered years, all boards of election commissioners shall give the precinct registers to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party, as such party is defined in Section 10-2 of this Act, or to the chair’s duly authorized representative. Within 30 days of the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, all boards of election commissioners shall give the precinct registers compiled prior to the general November election of 1982 to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
For the first registration under this Article, such precinct register shall be printed and available to any person upon application therefor at least three days before the first day upon which any voter may make application in writing to have any name erased from the register as provided by Section 6-44 of this Article. For subsequent registrations, such registers, except as otherwise provided in this Section for municipalities of more than 500,000, shall be printed and shall be available to any person upon application at least five days before the first day upon which any voter may make application in writing to have any name erased from the register.
Application to have a name upon such register erased may be made in the manner provided by Section 6-44 of this Article, and applications to erase names, complete registration, or to register or restore names shall be heard in the same manner as is provided by Section 6-45 of this Article, with application to the circuit court and appeal to the Supreme Court as provided in Sections 6-46 and 6-47. The rights conferred and the times specified by these Sections with respect to the first election under this Article shall also apply to succeeding registrations and elections. Provided, however, that in municipalities having a population of more than 500,000, and having a Board of Election Commissioners, as to all elections, registrations for which are made solely with the Board of Election Commissioners, and where no general precinct registrations were provided for or held within twenty-eight days before the election, an application to have a name upon such register erased, as provided for in Section 6-44, shall be made within two days after the publication of the printed precinct register, and the Board of Election Commissioners shall announce its decision on such applications within four days after said applications are made, and within four days after its decision on such applications shall cause a supplemental printed precinct register showing such correction as may be necessary by reason of such decision to be printed in like manner as hereinabove provided in Section 6-43 hereof, and upon application a copy of the same shall be given to any person applying therefor. Such list shall have printed on the bottom thereof the facsimile signatures of the members of the board of election commissioners. Said supplemental printed precinct register shall be prima facie evidence that the electors whose names appear thereon are entitled to vote. If the dates specified in this Article as to applications to complete or erase registrations or as to proceedings before the Board of Election Commissioners or the circuit court in the first registration under this Article shall not be applicable to any subsequent primary or regular or special election, the Board of Election Commissioners shall, with the approval of the circuit court, adopt and publish a schedule of dates which shall permit equal intervals of time therefor as are provided for such first registrations.
After action by the Board of Election Commissioners and by the circuit court, a supplemental list shall be prepared and made available in the manner provided by Section 6-48 of this Article.
Within 60 days after each general election the board of election commissioners shall indicate by italics, asterisk, or other means, on the list of registered voters in each precinct, each registrant who voted at that general election, and shall provide a copy of such list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, the board of election commissioners shall indicate by italics, asterisk, or other means, on the list of registered voters in each precinct, each registrant who voted at the general election of 1982, and shall provide a copy of such coded list to the chair of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
The board of election commissioners may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a list provided under either of the 2 preceding paragraphs.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-61) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-61)
Sec. 6-61. It shall be the duty of the clerk of any court where parties are tried or convicted of penitentiary offenses in the county where such city, village or incorporated town is located, to furnish monthly to such board of commissioners the names of all parties convicted or sentenced for any crime, the punishment of which is confinement in the penitentiary, and their place of residence if such fact be in the possession of such clerk.
(Source: P.A. 90-372, eff. 7-1-98.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-62) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-62)
Sec. 6-62. It shall be the duty of the person or officer having charge of the vital records of a city, village or incorporated town to furnish to the board of election commissioners, monthly, a report of the names and previous residences of all persons over 18 years of age that have died during the preceding month.
(Source: P.A. 96-1484, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-63) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-63)
Sec. 6-63. It shall be the duty of the board of election commissioners to strike the names of all such criminals and of all such deceased persons from the registers of the precinct in which any such person is registered, noting opposite such name the cause for which it was stricken.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-64) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-64)
Sec. 6-64. If either the original or duplicate registration card or both, of any elector, shall be lost, destroyed or mutilated in whole or in part, the board of election commissioners shall prepare two new registration cards, an original and a duplicate, and shall require the execution of a new registration affidavit by such elector, and if any such elector shall refuse to execute such affidavit within thirty days after the mailing of a notice to such elector at the last address from which he has registered, then the registration of such elector shall be cancelled. If either the original or duplicate registration cards, or both, of all registered voters of any city, village or incorporated town or any ward or precinct thereof shall be lost or destroyed, the board of election commissioners shall require a re-registration of electors of such city, ward or precinct.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-65) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-65)
Sec. 6-65. The duplicate registration record cards shall remain permanently in the office of the Board of Election Commissioners; shall be filed alphabetically without regard to wards or precincts; and shall be known as the master file. The master file may be kept in a computer-based voter registration file or paper format, provided a secondary digital back-up is kept off site. The digital file shall be searchable and remain current with all registration activity conducted by the Board of Election Commissioners. The original registration record cards shall constitute the official precinct registry of voters; shall be filed by wards and precincts; and shall be known as the precinct file. The original cards shall be delivered to the judges of election by the Board of Election Commissioners in a suitable binder or other device, which shall be locked and sealed in accordance with directions to be given by the Board of Election Commissioners and shall also be suitably indexed for convenient use by the precinct officers. The precinct files shall be delivered to the precinct officers for use at the polls, on the day of election and shall be returned to the Board of Election Commissioners immediately after the close of the polls. The board shall determine by rules the manner of delivery and return to such file. At all other times the precinct file shall be retained at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners except for such use of it as may be made under this Article with respect to registration not at the office of the Board of Election Commissioners.
(Source: P.A. 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-66) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-66)
Sec. 6-66. Upon application to vote each registered elector shall sign his name or make his mark as the case may be, on a certificate substantially as follows:
“CERTIFICATE OF REGISTERED VOTER
City of …………….. Ward …. Precinct …. Election ……………(Date)…….(Month)………..(Year) Registration Record ……. Checked by …………… Voter’s number ….
INSTRUCTION TO VOTERS
Sign this certificate and hand it to the election officers in charge. After the registration record has been checked, the officer will hand it back to you. Whereupon you shall present it to the officer in charge of the ballots.
I hereby certify that I am registered from the address below and am qualified to vote.
Signature of voter …………….
Residence address …………….”
An individual shall not be required to provide his social security number when applying for a ballot. He shall not be denied a ballot, nor shall his ballot be challenged, solely because of his refusal to provide his social security number. Nothing in this Act prevents an individual from being requested to provide his social security number when the individual applies for a ballot. If, however, the certificate contains a space for the individual’s social security number, the following notice shall appear on the certificate, immediately above such space, in bold-face capital letters, in type the size of which equals the largest type on the certificate:
“THE INDIVIDUAL APPLYING FOR A BALLOT WITH THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE HIS OR HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. HE OR SHE MAY NOT BE DENIED A BALLOT, NOR SHALL HIS OR HER BALLOT BE CHALLENGED, SOLELY BECAUSE OF HIS OR HER REFUSAL TO PROVIDE HIS OR HER SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.”
The applications of each State-wide political party at a primary election shall be separately printed upon paper of uniform quality, texture and size, but the applications of no 2 State-wide political parties shall be of the same color or tint. If the election authority provides computer generated applications with the precinct, ballot style, and voter’s name and address preprinted on the application, a single application may be used for State-wide political parties if it contains spaces or check-off boxes to indicate the political party. Such applications may contain spaces or check-off boxes permitting the voter to also request a primary ballot of any political party which is established only within a political subdivision and for which a primary is conducted on the same election day. Such applications shall not entitle the voter to vote in both the primary of a State-wide political party and the primary of a local political party with respect to the offices of the same political subdivision or to vote in the primary of more than one State-wide political party on the same day.
The judges in charge of the precinct registration files shall compare the signature upon such certificate with the signature on the registration record card as a means of identifying the voter. Unless satisfied by such comparison that the applicant to vote is the identical person who is registered under the same name, the judges shall ask such applicant the questions for identification which appear on the registration card, and if the applicant does not prove to the satisfaction of a majority of the judges of the election precinct that he is the identical person registered under the name in question then the vote of such applicant shall be challenged by a judge of election, and the same procedure followed as provided in this Article and Act for challenged voters.
In case the elector is unable to sign his name, a judge of election shall check the data on the registration card and shall check the address given, with the registered address, in order to determine whether he is entitled to vote.
One of the judges of election shall check the certificate of such applicant for a ballot after the registration record has been examined, and shall sign his initials on the certificate in the space provided therefor, and shall enter upon such certificate the number of the voter in the place provided therefor, and make an entry in the voting record space on the registration record, to indicate whether or not the applicant voted. Such judge shall then hand such certificate back to the applicant in case he is permitted to vote, and such applicant shall hand it to the judge of election in charge of the ballots. The certificates of the voters shall be filed in the order in which they are received and shall constitute an official poll record. The terms “poll lists” and “poll books”, where used in this Article and Act, shall be construed to apply to such official poll record.
After each general primary election the board of election commissioners shall indicate by color code or other means next to the name of each registrant on the list of registered voters in each precinct the primary ballot of a political party that the registrant requested at the general primary election. The board of election commissioners, within 60 days after that general primary election, shall provide a copy of this coded list to the chairman of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983, the board of election commissioners shall provide to the chairman of the county central committee of each established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative the list of registered voters in each precinct at the time of the general primary election of 1982 and shall indicate on such list by color code or other means next to the name of a registrant the primary ballot of a political party that the registrant requested at the general primary election of 1982.
The board of election commissioners may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a list provided under either of the 2 preceding paragraphs.
Where an elector makes application to vote by signing and presenting the certificate provided by this Section, and his registration card is not found in the precinct registry of voters, but his name appears as that of a registered voter in such precinct upon the printed precinct register as corrected or revised by the supplemental list, or upon the consolidated list, if any provided by this Article and whose name has not been erased or withdrawn from such register, the printed precinct register as corrected or revised by the supplemental list, or consolidated list, if any, shall be prima facie evidence of the elector’s right to vote upon compliance with the provisions hereinafter set forth in this Section. In such event it shall be the duty of one of the judges of election to require an affidavit by such person and 2 voters residing in the precinct before the judges of election that he is the same person whose name appears upon the printed precinct register as corrected or revised by the supplemental list, or consolidated list, if any, and that he resides in the precinct, stating the street and number of his residence, and upon the presentation of such affidavits, a certificate shall be issued to such elector, and upon the presentation of such certificate and affidavits, he shall be entitled to vote. Any elector whose name does not appear as a registered voter on the printed precinct register or supplemental list but who has a certificate issued by the board of election commissioners as provided in Section 6-43 of this Article, shall be entitled to vote upon the presentation of such certificate accompanied by the affidavits of 2 voters residing in the precinct that the elector is the same person described in such certificate and that he resides in the precinct, stating the street and number of his residence. Forms for all affidavits required hereunder shall be supplied by the board of election commissioners. All affidavits made under this paragraph shall be preserved and returned to the board of election commissioners in the manner provided by this Article and Article 18 of this Act. It shall be the duty of the board of election commissioners, within 30 days after such election, to take the steps provided by Section 6-64 of this Article for the execution of new registration affidavits by electors who have voted under the provisions of this paragraph.
When the board of election commissioners delivers to the judges of election for use at the polls a supplemental or consolidated list of the printed precinct register, it shall give a copy of the supplemental or consolidated list to the chair of a county central committee of an established political party or to the chair’s duly authorized representative.
Whenever 2 or more elections occur simultaneously, the election official or officials charged with the duty of providing application certificates may prescribe the form thereof so that a voter is required to execute only one, indicating in which of the elections he desires to vote.
After the signature has been verified, the judges shall determine in which political subdivisions the voter resides by use of the information contained on the voter registration cards or the separate registration lists or other means approved by the State Board of Elections and prepared and supplied by the election authority. The voter’s certificate shall be so marked by the judges as to show the respective ballots which the voter is given.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-67) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-67)
Sec. 6-67. Upon application to vote at a primary election each registered elector shall sign his name or mark and write his address on a certificate substantially the same as that used in the general election except that it shall have a place for party affiliation which is to be filled in by the elector, or by the officer in charge if the elector is unable to write. Such certificates when checked and initialed by the judge in charge, shall constitute the primary poll record. Such certificates at the close of the primary election shall be placed in an envelope, sealed and returned with the ballots. Nothing herein shall be construed to conflict with sections 7-44 and 7-45 of Article 7 of this Act.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-67.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-67.01)
Sec. 6-67.01. The provisions of this Article 6, so far as they require the registration of voters as a condition to their being allowed to vote shall not apply to persons otherwise entitled to vote, who are, at the time of the election, or at any time within 60 days prior to such election have been engaged in the military or naval service of the United States, and who appear personally at the polling place on election day and produce to the judges of election satisfactory evidence thereof, but such persons, if otherwise qualified to vote, shall be permitted to vote at such election without previous registration.
All such persons shall also make an affidavit which shall be in substantially the following form:
“State of Illinois)
)ss.
County of ……..)
………… Precinct …….. Ward
I, …., do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I am a citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years or over, and that within the past 60 days prior to the date of this election at which I am applying to vote, I have been engaged in the …. (military or naval) service of the United States; and I am qualified to vote under and by virtue of the Constitution and laws of the State of Illinois, and that I am a legally qualified voter of this precinct and ward except that I have, because of such service, been unable to register as a voter; that I now reside at …. (insert street and number, if any) in this precinct and ward, and that I have maintained a legal residence in this precinct and ward for 30 days and in the State 30 days next preceding this election.
……………….
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
……………….
Judge of Election.”

The affidavit of any such person shall be supported by the affidavit of a resident and qualified voter of such precinct and ward, which affidavit shall be in substantially the following form:
“State of Illinois)
)ss.
County of ……..)
………… Precinct …….. Ward
I, …, do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I am a resident of this precinct and ward and entitled to vote at this election; that I am acquainted with …. (name of the applicant); that I verily believe him to be an actual bona fide resident of this precinct and ward and that I verily believe that he has maintained a legal residence therein 30 days and in this State 30 days next preceding this election.
……………….
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
……………….
Judge of Election.”
The provisions of this Article 6, so far as they require the registration of voters as a condition to their being allowed to vote shall not apply to persons otherwise entitled to vote who have made and subscribed to the affidavit provided in paragraph (b) of Section 17-10 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-68) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-68)
Sec. 6-68. All affidavits made before judges of election under the provisions of this Article or of Article 14 of this Act shall be immediately returned to the office of the board of election commissioners. Such affidavits, before being so returned, shall be enclosed in an envelope provided for that purpose, which shall then be securely sealed with sealing wax or other adhesive material, and each of the judges shall write his name across the seal. No judge of election shall break the seal of, or open any envelope containing affidavits, or shall permit any person to open any such envelope or break the seal thereof while the same is in his custody.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-69) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-69)
Sec. 6-69. In the conduct of registrations subsequent to that first provided for under this Article, the board of election commissioners shall have authority to designate its officers and employees to take registrations at its office or at such other places as may be specified by such board under Section 6-51 of this Article. For registration at other places than the office of the board of election commissioners, the board may select 3 officers of registration, one of whom may be an officer or employee of the board of election commissioners, and of the other 2, one shall be a member of the political party represented by a majority of the commissioners and one a member of the political party represented by a minority of such commissioners. To the extent that the third officer is not a permanent officer or employee of the board of election commissioners, the appointment of such officer of registration shall be equally divided between the 2 leading political parties. Judges of election for any precinct within the area served by one place of registration shall be eligible for appointment as officers of registration, but application shall in all cases be made to the circuit court for the appointment and confirmation of such officers of registration, in the manner provided for judges of election by Section 14-5 of Article 14 of this Act.
All officers of registration appointed in the manner provided above and all officers and employees of the board of election commissioners designated to take registrations either at the office of the board of election commissioners, or elsewhere, shall be deemed officers of registration; shall take the oath prescribed by Section 6-33 of this Article; shall be considered officers of the circuit court; and shall be subject to the control provided for judges of election by Section 14-5 of Article 14 of this Act. The appointment of such registration officers shall be made for the same terms as Judges of election. All penalties imposed by this Act or Article upon judges of election or boards of registry with respect to the registration of voters or revision thereof or with respect to registration records, shall equally apply to deputy registrars, judges of registration and registration officers provided for by this Article.
(Source: P.A. 80-704.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-70) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-70)
Sec. 6-70. Such election commissioners and the executive director of the Board of Election Commissioners shall be paid by the county. In counties having a population of 500,000 or more, the city first adopting the provisions of this Act shall pay the salary of the assistant executive director. In all other counties such salary shall be paid by the county. In cities, villages and incorporated towns having a population less than 25,000 as determined by the last federal census, the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $1,800 per annum. If the population is 25,000 or more but less than 40,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $2,400 per annum, to be determined by the county board. If the population is 40,000 or more but less than 70,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $2,100 per annum, to be determined by the county board. If the population is 70,000 or more but less than 100,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $2,700 per annum, to be determined by the county board. If the population is 100,000 or more but less than 2,000,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $3,200 per annum, to be determined by the county board. The chair of a board of election commissioners, in counties with a population of less than 2,000,000, shall be paid by the county an additional amount equal to 10% of his salary as an election commissioner. If the population is less than 25,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $4,500 per annum. If the population is 25,000 or more but less than 40,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $8,000 per annum, and in such cities, villages and incorporated towns there may be employed one assistant executive director who shall receive a salary of not less than $6,000 per annum. If the population is 40,000 or more but less than 70,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $9,500 per annum, and in such cities, villages and incorporated towns there may be employed one assistant executive director who shall receive a salary of not less than $7,500 per annum. If the population is 70,000 or more but less than 100,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $11,000 per annum, and in such cities, villages and incorporated towns there may be employed one assistant executive director who shall receive a salary of not less than $8,000 per annum. If the population is 100,000 or more but less than 2,000,000 the executive director shall receive a salary of not less than $12,000 per annum, and in such cities, villages and incorporated towns there may be employed one assistant executive director who shall receive a salary of not less than $8,000 per annum. It shall be the duty of the Board of Election Commissioners in such cities, villages and incorporated towns to fix the salary of the executive director and assistant executive director at the time of appointment of the clerk. In cities, villages and incorporated towns with a population greater than 2,000,000 the election commissioners shall receive a salary of not less than $21,000, provided, however, that the chair of the Board of Election Commissioners shall receive a salary, as set by and from time to time changed by the Board of County Commissioners, of not less than $35,000 per annum and shall hold no other office. In cities, villages and incorporated towns with a population greater than 2,000,000, such other election commissioners shall hold no other office. In cities, villages and incorporated towns with a population greater than 2,000,000 the executive director and employees of the Board of Election Commissioners shall serve on a full-time basis and shall hold no other office. In cities, villages and incorporated towns with a population of greater than 2,000,000, no election commissioner, executive director nor employee shall participate in any manner, in any activity or interests of any political party or of any candidate for public office or for nomination thereof, nor participate in any political campaign for the nomination or election of candidates for public office. Violation of any provision hereof shall be cause for removal from office or dismissal, as the case may be; provided, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to interfere with the right of any person to vote for any candidate or upon any issue as his reason and conscience may dictate nor interfere with the duties of his office. All expenses incurred by such Board of Election Commissioners shall be paid by such city.
The salaries and expenditures are to be audited by the chief circuit judge, who may designate an independent external auditor to perform the task, and the salaries and expenditures shall be paid by the county or city treasurer, as the case may be, upon the warrant of the chief circuit judge of any money in the county or city treasury, as the case may be, not otherwise appropriated. It shall also be the duty of the governing authority of those counties and cities, respectively, to make provisions for the prompt payment of the salaries and expenditures.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-71) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-71)
Sec. 6-71. In the cities, villages and incorporated towns in counties having a population of 500,000 or more, which are operating under this Article, the compensation of deputy registrars and judges of registration provided for the first registration under this Article and officers of registration appointed in conformity with Section 6-69 of this Article for subsequent registration shall be not less than $20 nor more than $30 per day. In cities, villages and incorporated towns in counties having a population of less than 500,000, and operating under this Article, the compensation of the deputy registrars and judges of registration provided for the first registration under this Article, and officers of registration appointed in conformity with Section 6-69 of this Article for subsequent registrations shall be $17.50 per day. The compensation of such deputy registrars, judges of registration and officers of registration, shall be apportioned and paid in the manner provided by Article 14 of this Act for judges of election.
Each judge of registration who has performed all the duties and services required for the first registration under this Article shall be credited with 2 days’ service for the 2 days of general registration provided for by this Article. Each deputy registrar who has performed all the duties and services required for the first registration under this Article shall be credited with 4 days’ service for the 2 days of general registration and the 2 days of canvass as provided for by this Article.
Officers of registration authorized by Section 6-69 of this Article for registration subsequent to the first registration under this Article shall be credited with one day’s service for each registration, and, with the approval of the circuit court, may be credited with an additional day for such other services as the Board of Election Commissioners may require of them, an order of the circuit court in such cases to recite such additional services and to designate the officers of registration from whom such additional services are to be received, provided that in cities, villages and incorporated towns in counties having a population of 500,000 or more, which are operating under this Article, any such officer selected to conduct canvass shall be credited with not less than 2 days’ service for each canvass.
The State Board of Elections shall reimburse each board of election commissioners for the amount of the increase in compensation under this Section provided by this amendatory Act from funds appropriated for that purpose.
(Source: P.A. 81-850; 81-1149.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-72) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-72)
Sec. 6-72. Whenever this article (together with articles 14 and 18 of this Act) is adopted by any village or incorporated town, all its and their provisions shall be applicable and operative, except as in this article or in articles 14 and 18 of this Act modified.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-73) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-73)
Sec. 6-73. Whenever any city, village or incorporated town may adopt this Article (together with Articles 14 and 18 of this Act), and which city, village or incorporated town shall lie within any county in which another city shall have previously thereto adopted said Articles of this Act, then in such case the commissioners of election, appointed or which may be appointed for such last mentioned city, shall also be ex-officio commissioners of election for such first mentioned city, village or incorporated town, and shall have and exercise the same powers as if specially appointed for such city, village or town.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-74) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-74)
Sec. 6-74. The returns of the judges of election of such village or incorporated town, mentioned in the last section, in case of a village or town election for any officer of such village or town, shall be made to the same officer as otherwise required by law, who shall receipt therefor; and all such returns shall be canvassed by the election authority of such village or incorporated town, as established by law, with the same powers of investigation and examination by the election authority as is authorized by this act to the canvassing board of any such city.
(Source: P.A. 94-647, eff. 1-1-06.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-75) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-75)
Sec. 6-75. The returns of the judges of election of such village or incorporated towns, in case of all other elections therein, shall be made to the same officers, as required by this Article or by Articles 14 or 18 of this Act, of returns of elections held in a city, and such returns shall be canvassed and the result declared by the same canvassing board.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-76) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-76)
Sec. 6-76. All oaths in writing provided for in this Article or in Articles 14 or 18 of this Act, must have a jurat, or certificate of the officer taking the same, attached and signed by him, and said election commissioners and said judges of election are hereby empowered to administer all oaths and affirmations required in the administration of the affairs of their several offices.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-77) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-77)
Sec. 6-77. For the purpose of this Article the term “election” shall also include primary elections held in such city, village or incorporated town.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 2373.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-78) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-78)
Sec. 6-78. During the hours of registration or revision of registration no person shall bring, take, order or send into, or shall attempt to bring, take or send into any place of registration or revision of registration, any distilled or spirituous liquors whatever; or shall, at any such time and place drink or partake of such liquor.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-79)
Sec. 6-79. Computerization of voter records.
(a) The State Board of Elections shall design a registration record card that, except as otherwise provided in this Section, shall be used in duplicate by all election authorities in the State adopting a computer-based voter registration file as provided in this Section. The Board shall prescribe the form and specifications, including but not limited to the weight of paper, color, and print of the cards. The cards shall contain boxes or spaces for the information required under Sections 6-31.1 and 6-35; provided that the cards shall also contain: (i) A space for the person to fill in his or her Illinois driver’s license number if the person has a driver’s license; (ii) A space for a person without a driver’s license to fill in the last four digits of his or her social security number if the person has a social security number.

(b) The election authority may develop and implement a system to prepare, use, and maintain a computer-based voter registration file that includes a computer-stored image of the signature of each voter. The computer-based voter registration file may be used for all purposes for which the original registration cards are to be used. In the case of voter registration forms received via an online voter registration system, the original registration cards will include the signature received from the Secretary of State database. The electronic file shall be the master file.

(b-2) The election authority may develop and implement a system to maintain registration cards in digital form using digitized signatures, which may be stored in a computer-based voter registration file under subsection (b) of this Section. The making and signing of any form, including an application to register and a certificate authorizing cancellation of a registration or authorizing a transfer of registration may be by a signature written in ink or by a digitized signature.

(c) Any system created, used, and maintained under subsection (b) of this Section shall meet the following standards:

(1) Access to any computer-based voter registration file shall be limited to those persons authorized by the election authority, and each access to the computer-based voter registration file, other than an access solely for inquiry, shall be recorded.

(2) No copy, summary, list, abstract, or index of any computer-based voter registration file that includes any computer-stored image of the signature of any registered voter shall be made available to the public outside of the offices of the election authority.

(3) Any copy, summary, list, abstract, or index of any computer-based voter registration file that includes a computer-stored image of the signature of a registered voter shall be produced in such a manner that it cannot be reproduced.

(4) Each person desiring to vote shall sign an application for a ballot, and the signature comparison authorized in Articles 17 and 18 of this Code may be made to a copy of the computer-stored image of the signature of the registered voter.

(5) Any voter list produced from a computer-based voter registration file that includes computer-stored images of the signatures of registered voters and is used in a polling place during an election shall be preserved by the election authority in secure storage until the end of the second calendar year following the election in which it was used.

(d) Before the first election in which the election authority elects to use a voter list produced from the computer-stored images of the signatures of registered voters in a computer-based voter registration file for signature comparison in a polling place, the State Board of Elections shall certify that the system used by the election authority complies with the standards set forth in this Section. The State Board of Elections may request a sample poll list intended to be used in a polling place to test the accuracy of the list and the adequacy of the computer-stored images of the signatures of the registered voters.

(e) With respect to a jurisdiction that has copied all of its voter signatures into a computer-based registration file, all references in this Act or any other Act to the use, other than storage, of paper-based voter registration records shall be deemed to refer to their computer-based equivalents.

(f) Nothing in this Section prevents an election authority from submitting to the State Board of Elections a duplicate copy of some, as the State Board of Elections shall determine, or all of the data contained in each voter registration record that is part of the electronic master file. The duplicate copy of the registration record shall be maintained by the State Board of Elections under the same terms and limitations applicable to the election authority and shall be of equal legal dignity with the original registration record maintained by the election authority as proof of any fact contained in the voter registration record.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13; 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-100)
Sec. 6-100. Grace period. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, each election authority shall establish procedures for the registration of voters and for change of address during the period from the close of registration for an election until and including the day of the election. During this grace period, an unregistered qualified elector may register to vote, and a registered voter may submit a change of address form, in person in the office of the election authority, at a permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10, at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election, at a polling place on election day, or at a voter registration location specifically designated for this purpose by the election authority. Grace period registration and changes of address shall also be conducted for eligible residents in connection with voting at facilities under Section 19-12.2 of this Code. The election authority shall register that individual, or change a registered voter’s address, in the same manner as otherwise provided by this Article for registration and change of address.
If a voter who registers or changes address during this grace period wishes to vote at the election or primary occurring during the grace period. The election authority shall offer in-person grace period voting at the authority’s office, any permanent polling place established under Section 19A-10, and at any other early voting site beginning 15 days prior to the election, at a polling place on election day, where grace period registration is required by this Section; and may offer in-person grace period voting at additional hours and locations specifically designated for the purpose of grace period voting by the election authority. The election authority may allow grace period voting by mail only if the election authority has no ballots prepared at the authority’s office. Grace period voting shall be in a manner substantially similar to voting under Article 19A.
Within one day after a voter casts a grace period ballot, or within one day after the ballot is received by the election authority if the election authority allows grace period voting by mail, the election authority shall transmit by electronic means pursuant to a process established by the State Board of Elections the voter’s name, street address, e-mail address, and precinct, ward, township, and district numbers, as the case may be, to the State Board of Elections, which shall maintain those names and that information in an electronic format on its website, arranged by county and accessible to State and local political committees. The name of each person issued a grace period ballot shall also be placed on the appropriate precinct list of persons to whom vote by mail and early ballots have been issued, for use as provided in Sections 17-9 and 18-5.
A person who casts a grace period ballot shall not be permitted to revoke that ballot and vote another ballot with respect to that primary or election. Ballots cast by persons who register or change address during the grace period at a location other than their designated polling place on election day must be transmitted to and counted at the election authority’s central ballot counting location and shall not be transmitted to and counted at precinct polling places. The grace period ballots determined to be valid shall be added to the vote totals for the precincts for which they were cast in the order in which the ballots were opened.
In counties with a population of less than 100,000 that do not have electronic poll books, the election authority may opt out of registration in the polling place if the election authority establishes grace period registration and voting at other sites on election day at the following sites: (i) the election authority’s main office and (ii) a polling place in each municipality where 20% or more of the county’s residents reside if the election authority’s main office is not located in that municipality. The election authority may establish other grace period registration and voting sites on election day provided that the election authority has met the notice requirements of Section 19A-25 for permanent and temporary early voting sites.
(Source: P.A. 100-442, eff. 8-25-17.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6-105)
Sec. 6-105. First time voting. A person must vote for the first time in person and not a vote by mail ballot if the person registered to vote by mail, unless the person first provides the appropriate election authority with sufficient proof of identity and the election authority verifies the person’s proof of identity. Sufficient proof of identity shall be demonstrated by submission of the person’s driver’s license number or State identification card number or, if the person does not have either of those, verification by the last 4 digits of the person’s social security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other federal, State, or local government document that shows the person’s name and address. A person may also demonstrate sufficient proof of identity by submission of a photo identification issued by a college or university accompanied by either a copy of the applicant’s contract or lease for a residence or any postmarked mail delivered to the applicant at his or her current residence address. Persons who apply to register to vote by mail but provide inadequate proof of identity to the election authority shall be notified by the election authority that the registration has not been fully completed and that the person remains ineligible to vote by mail or in person until such proof is presented.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15.)

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Article 6A – County Board of Election Commissioners

(10 ILCS 5/6A-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 6A-1)
Sec. 6A-1. (a) Any county in which there is no city, village or incorporated town with a board of election commissioners may establish a county board of election commissioners either (1) by ordinance of the county board or (2) by vote of the electors of the county in accordance with subsection (a) of Section 6A-2.
The fact that some territory in a county is within the corporate limits of a city, village or incorporated town with a board of election commissioners does not prevent that county from establishing a county board of election commissioners in accordance with this Article if no portion of such city, village or incorporated town was within the county at the time of the establishment of the board of election commissioners for such city, village or incorporated town. If such a county establishes a county board of election commissioners pursuant to this Article, the county board of election commissioners shall, with respect to the territory in the county within the corporate limits of the city, village or incorporated town, supersede the board of election commissioners of that city, village or incorporated town.

(b) Any county with a population of more than 700,000 persons as of the 2010 federal decennial census that borders another state and borders no more than 2 other Illinois counties, shall be subject to a county board of election commissioners beginning 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly.

(c) Any county with a population of less than 200,000 but more than 175,000 persons as of the 2010 federal decennial census in which a city, village, or incorporated town with a board of election commissioners is located may establish a county board of election commissioners by vote of the electors of the county in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 6A-2. If such a county establishes a county board of election commissioners, the county board of election commissioners, with respect to the territory in the county within the corporate limits of the city, village, or incorporated town, shall supersede the board of election commissioners of that city, village, or incorporated town.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6A-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 6A-2)
Sec. 6A-2. Submission to voters.
(a) Whenever registered voters in a county described in subsection (a) of Section 6A-1, numbering at least 1,000 or 1/8 of the number voting at the last preceding general election in the county, whichever is less, petition the circuit court to submit to the electors of the county a proposition to establish a county board of election commissioners, the circuit court shall cause such proposition to be submitted to the electors of the county at the next succeeding general election.

(b) If the county board of a county described in subsection (c) of Section 6A-1 passes an ordinance or resolution establishing a county board of election commissioners, then the proposition to establish a county board of election commissioners shall be submitted to the electors of that county at the next possible general election. The board shall certify the ordinance or resolution and the proposition to the proper election officials who shall submit the proposition at the next general election in accordance with the general election law.

(c) The proposition shall be submitted in the same manner as provided in Article 6 for the adoption of Articles 6, 14 and 18 by cities, villages and incorporated towns, except that the question shall be stated: “Shall a board of election commissioners be established for …. County?”
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6A-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 6A-3)
Sec. 6A-3. Commissioners; filling vacancies.
(a) If the county board adopts an ordinance providing for the establishment of a county board of election commissioners, or if a majority of the votes cast on a proposition submitted in accordance with Section 6A-2(a) are in favor of a county board of election commissioners, a county board of election commissioners shall be appointed in the same manner as is provided in Article 6 for boards of election commissioners in cities, villages and incorporated towns, except that the county board of election commissioners shall be appointed by the chair of the county board rather than the circuit court. However, before any appointments are made, the appointing authority shall ascertain whether the county clerk desires to be a member of the county board of election commissioners. If the county clerk so desires, he shall be one of the members of the county board of election commissioners, and the appointing authority shall appoint only 2 other members.

(b) For any county board of election commissioners established under subsection (b) of Section 6A-1, within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly, the chief judge of the circuit court of the county shall appoint 5 commissioners. At least 4 of those commissioners shall be selected from the 2 major established political parties of the State, with at least 2 from each of those parties. Such appointment shall be entered of record in the office of the County Clerk and the State Board of Elections. Those first appointed shall hold their offices for the period of one, 2, and 3 years respectively, and the judge appointing them shall designate the term for which each commissioner shall hold his or her office, whether for one, 2 or 3 years except that no more than one commissioner from each major established political party may be designated the same term. After the initial term, each commissioner or his or her successor shall be appointed to a 3 year term. No elected official or former elected official who has been out of elected office for less than 2 years may be appointed to the board. Vacancies shall be filled by the chief judge of the circuit court within 30 days of the vacancy in a manner that maintains the foregoing political party representation.

(c) For any county board of election commissioners established under subsection (c) of Section 6A-1, within 30 days after the conclusion of the election at which the proposition to establish a county board of election commissioners is approved by the voters, the municipal board shall apply to the circuit court of the county for the chief judge of the circuit court to appoint 2 additional commissioners, one of whom shall be from each major established political party and neither of whom shall reside within the limits of the municipal board, so that 3 commissioners shall reside within the limits of the municipal board and 2 shall reside within the county but not within the municipality, as it may exist from time to time. Not more than 3 of the commissioners shall be members of the same major established political party. Vacancies shall be filled by the chief judge of the circuit court upon application of the remaining commissioners in a manner that maintains the foregoing geographical and political party representation.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6A-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 6A-4)
Sec. 6A-4. Transfer of records. Upon the opening of an office of a county board of election commissioners, the county clerk and any municipal board of election commissioners in the county shall turn over to such county board all registry books, registration record cards, poll books, tally sheets and ballot boxes and all other books, forms, blanks and stationery of every description in the clerk’s or municipal board’s possession in any way relating to elections or the holding of elections in the county and any unused appropriations related to elections or the holding of elections in the county. Thereupon, all functions, powers and duties of the county clerk, the county board, or the municipal board relating to elections in that county are transferred to the county board of election commissioners.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6A-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 6A-5)
Sec. 6A-5. The provisions of Articles 6, 14 and 18 of this Act relating to boards of election commissioners in cities, villages and incorporated towns shall, insofar as they can be made applicable, apply to and govern county boards of election commissioners established pursuant to this Article. A deputy registrar serving as such by virtue of his status as a municipal clerk, or a duly authorized deputy of a municipal clerk, of a municipality the territory of which lies in more than one county, where one such county is governed by a county board of election commissioners established pursuant to this Article, may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the municipality, regardless of which county the resident, municipal clerk or the duly authorized deputy of the municipal clerk lives in. However, the county board, in fixing the compensation of the members of the county board of election commissioners and of the executive director and assistant executive director, is not subject to the limitations of Section 6-70 and may provide for either an annual salary or a per diem compensation.
(Source: P.A. 85-958.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6A-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 6A-6)
Sec. 6A-6. Any references in this Act to the county clerk or the county board with respect to the registration of voters, filing of petitions, certification of candidates, preparation of ballots, establishment of election precincts, designation of polling places, or any other matter pertaining to the conduct of elections, shall, as applied to any county having a county board of election commissioners, be construed as referring to the county board of election commissioners.
(Source: P.A. 78-465.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/6A-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 6A-7)
Sec. 6A-7. Dissolution.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), any county which has established a board of election commissioners may subsequently vote to dissolve such board in the same manner as provided in Article 6 for cities, villages, and incorporated towns, except that the petition to the circuit court to submit to the vote of the electors of the county the proposition to dissolve the board of election commissioners shall be signed by at least 10% of the registered voters of the county.

(b) A county board in a county that has established a county board of election commissioners in accordance with subsection (a) of Section 6A-1 of this Code may, by ordinance or resolution, dissolve the county board of election commissioners and transfer its functions to the county clerk.
(Source: P.A. 100-628, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

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Article 7 – The Making of Nominations by Political Parties

(10 ILCS 5/7-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-1)
Sec. 7-1. Application of Article.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Article, the nomination of all candidates for all elective State, congressional, judicial, and county officers, State’s Attorneys (whether elected from a single county or from more than one county), city, village, and incorporated town and municipal officers, trustees of sanitary districts, township officers in townships of over 5,000 population coextensive with or included wholly within cities or villages not under the commission form of government, precinct, township, ward, and State central committeepersons, and delegates and alternate delegates to national nominating conventions by all political parties, as defined in Section 7-2 of this Article 7, shall be made in the manner provided in this Article 7 and not otherwise. The nomination of candidates for electors of President and Vice President of the United States shall be made only in the manner provided for in Section 7-9 of this Article.

(b) This Article 7 shall not apply to (i) the nomination of candidates for school elections and township elections, except in those townships specifically mentioned in subsection (a) and except in those cases in which a township central committee determines under Section 6A-2 of the Township Law of 1874 or Section 45-55 of the Township Code that its candidates for township offices shall be nominated by primary in accordance with this Article, (ii) the nomination of park commissioners in park districts organized under the Park District Code, (iii) the nomination of officers of cities and villages organized under special charters, or (iv) the nomination of municipal officers for cities, villages, and incorporated towns with a population of 5,000 or less, except where a city, village, or incorporated town with a population of 5,000 or less has by ordinance determined that political parties shall nominate candidates for municipal office in the city, village, or incorporated town by primary in accordance with this Article. In that event, the municipal clerk shall certify the ordinance to the proper election officials no later than November 15 in the year preceding the consolidated primary election.

(c) The words “township officers” or “township offices” shall be construed, when used in this Article, to include supervisors.

(d) As provided in Sections 3.1-25-20 through 3.1-25-60 of the Illinois Municipal Code, a village may adopt a system of nonpartisan primary and general elections for the election of village officers.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-2)
Sec. 7-2. A political party, which at the general election for State and county officers then next preceding a primary, polled more than 5 per cent of the entire vote cast in the State, is hereby declared to be a political party within the State, and shall nominate all candidates provided for in this Article 7 under the provisions hereof, and shall elect precinct, township, ward, and State central committeepersons as herein provided.
A political party, which at the general election for State and county officers then next preceding a primary, cast more than 5 per cent of the entire vote cast within any congressional district, is hereby declared to be a political party within the meaning of this Article, within such congressional district, and shall nominate its candidate for Representative in Congress, under the provisions hereof. A political party, which at the general election for State and county officers then next preceding a primary, cast more than 5 per cent of the entire vote cast in any county, is hereby declared to be a political party within the meaning of this Article, within said county, and shall nominate all county officers in said county under the provisions hereof, and shall elect precinct, township, and ward committeepersons, as herein provided.
A political party, which at the municipal election for city, village, or incorporated town officers then next preceding a primary, cast more than 5 per cent of the entire vote cast in any city, village, or incorporated town is hereby declared to be a political party within the meaning of this Article, within said city, village, or incorporated town, and shall nominate all city, village, or incorporated town officers in said city, village, or incorporated town under the provisions hereof to the extent and in the cases provided in Section 7-1.
A political party, which at the municipal election for town officers then next preceding a primary, cast more than 5 per cent of the entire vote cast in said town, is hereby declared to be a political party within the meaning of this Article, within said town, and shall nominate all town officers in said town under the provisions hereof to the extent and in the cases provided in Section 7-1.
A political party, which at the municipal election in any other municipality or political subdivision, (except townships and school districts), for municipal or other officers therein then next preceding a primary, cast more than 5 per cent of the entire vote cast in such municipality or political subdivision, is hereby declared to be a political party within the meaning of this Article, within said municipality or political subdivision, and shall nominate all municipal or other officers therein under the provisions hereof to the extent and in the cases provided in Section 7-1.
Provided, that no political organization or group shall be qualified as a political party hereunder, or given a place on a ballot, which organization or group is associated, directly or indirectly, with Communist, Fascist, Nazi, or other un-American principles and engages in activities or propaganda designed to teach subservience to the political principles and ideals of foreign nations or the overthrow by violence of the established constitutional form of government of the United States and the State of Illinois.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-3)
Sec. 7-3. In determining the total vote of a political party, whenever required by this Article 7, the test shall be the total vote cast by such political party for its candidate who received the greatest number of votes; provided however, that in applying this section to the vote cast for any candidate for an office for which cumulative voting is permitted, the total vote cast for such candidate shall be divided by that number which equals the greatest number of votes that could lawfully be cast for such candidate by one elector.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-4)
Sec. 7-4. The following words and phrases in this Article 7 shall, unless the same be inconsistent with the context, be construed as follows:
1. The word “primary” the primary elections provided for in this Article, which are the general primary, the consolidated primary, and for those municipalities which have annual partisan elections for any officer, the municipal primary held 6 weeks prior to the general primary election date in even numbered years.

2. The definition of terms in Section 1-3 of this Act shall apply to this Article.

3. The word “precinct” a voting district heretofore or hereafter established by law within which all qualified electors vote at one polling place.

4. The words “state office” or “state officer”, an office to be filled, or an officer to be voted for, by qualified electors of the entire state, including United States Senator and Congressman at large.

5. The words “congressional office” or “congressional officer”, representatives in Congress.

6. The words “county office” or “county officer,” include an office to be filled or an officer to be voted for, by the qualified electors of the entire county. “County office” or “county officer” also include the assessor and board of appeals and county commissioners and president of county board of Cook County, and county board members and the chair of the county board in counties subject to “An Act relating to the composition and election of county boards in certain counties”, enacted by the 76th General Assembly.

7. The words “city office” and “village office,” and “incorporated town office” or “city officer” and “village officer”, and “incorporated town officer” an office to be filled or an officer to be voted for by the qualified electors of the entire municipality, including aldermen.

8. The words “town office” or “town officer”, an office to be filled or an officer to be voted for by the qualified electors of an entire town.

9. The words “town” and “incorporated town” shall respectively be defined as in Section 1-3 of this Act.

10. The words “delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions” include all delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions whether they be elected from the state at large or from congressional districts or selected by State convention unless contrary and non-inclusive language specifically limits the term to one class.

11. “Judicial office” means a post held by a judge of the Supreme, Appellate or Circuit Court.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-5)
Sec. 7-5. (a) Primary elections shall be held on the dates prescribed in Article 2A.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, no primary shall be held for an established political party in any township, municipality, or ward thereof, where the nomination of such party for every office to be voted upon by the electors of such township, municipality, or ward thereof, is uncontested. Whenever a political party’s nomination of candidates is uncontested as to one or more, but not all, of the offices to be voted upon by the electors of a township, municipality, or ward thereof, then a primary shall be held for that party in such township, municipality, or ward thereof; provided that the primary ballot shall not include those offices within such township, municipality, or ward thereof, for which the nomination is uncontested. For purposes of this Article, the nomination of an established political party of a candidate for election to an office shall be deemed to be uncontested where not more than the number of persons to be nominated have timely filed valid nomination papers seeking the nomination of such party for election to such office.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, no primary election shall be held for an established political party for any special primary election called for the purpose of filling a vacancy in the office of representative in the United States Congress where the nomination of such political party for said office is uncontested. For the purposes of this Article, the nomination of an established political party of a candidate for election to said office shall be deemed to be uncontested where not more than the number of persons to be nominated have timely filed valid nomination papers seeking the nomination of such established party for election to said office. This subsection (c) shall not apply if such primary election is conducted on a regularly scheduled election day.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions in subsection (b) and (c) of this Section whenever a person who has not timely filed valid nomination papers and who intends to become a write-in candidate for a political party’s nomination for any office for which the nomination is uncontested files a written statement or notice of that intent with the State Board of Elections or the local election official with whom nomination papers for such office are filed, a primary ballot shall be prepared and a primary shall be held for that office. Such statement or notice shall be filed on or before the date established in this Article for certifying candidates for the primary ballot. Such statement or notice shall contain (i) the name and address of the person intending to become a write-in candidate, (ii) a statement that the person is a qualified primary elector of the political party from whom the nomination is sought, (iii) a statement that the person intends to become a write-in candidate for the party’s nomination, and (iv) the office the person is seeking as a write-in candidate. An election authority shall have no duty to conduct a primary and prepare a primary ballot for any office for which the nomination is uncontested, unless a statement or notice meeting the requirements of this Section is filed in a timely manner.

(e) The polls shall be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
(Source: P.A. 86-873.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-6)
Sec. 7-6. The expense of conducting each primary, including the per diem of judges, furnishing, warming, lighting and maintaining the polling place, and all other expenses necessarily incurred in the preparation for or conducting such primary shall be paid in the same manner, and by the same authorities or officers as provided in Sections 17-30 through 17-32 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-7)
Sec. 7-7. For the purpose of making nominations in certain instances as provided in this Article and this Act, the following committees are authorized and shall constitute the central or managing committees of each political party, viz: A State central committee, whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to, filling by appointment vacancies in nomination for statewide offices, including but not limited to the office of United States Senator, a congressional committee for each congressional district, a county central committee for each county, a municipal central committee for each city, incorporated town or village, a ward committeeperson for each ward in cities containing a population of 500,000 or more; a township committeeperson for each township or part of a township that lies outside of cities having a population of 200,000 or more, in counties having a population of 2,000,000 or more; a precinct committeeperson for each precinct in counties having a population of less than 2,000,000; a county board district committee for each county board district created under Division 2-3 of the Counties Code; a State’s Attorney committee for each group of 2 or more counties which jointly elect a State’s Attorney; a Superintendent of Multi-County Educational Service Region committee for each group of 2 or more counties which jointly elect a Superintendent of a Multi-County Educational Service Region; a judicial subcircuit committee in a judicial circuit divided into subcircuits for each judicial subcircuit in that circuit; and a board of review election district committee for each Cook County Board of Review election district.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-8)
Sec. 7-8. The State central committee shall be composed of one or two members from each congressional district in the State and shall be elected as follows:
State Central Committee

(a) Within 30 days after January 1, 1984 (the effective date of Public Act 83-33), the State central committee of each political party shall certify to the State Board of Elections which of the following alternatives it wishes to apply to the State central committee of that party.
Alternative A. At the primary in 1970 and at the general primary election held every 4 years thereafter, each primary elector may vote for one candidate of his party for member of the State central committee for the congressional district in which he resides. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected State central committeeperson from the district. A political party may, in lieu of the foregoing, by a majority vote of delegates at any State convention of such party, determine to thereafter elect the State central committeepersons in the manner following:
At the county convention held by such political party, State central committeepersons shall be elected in the same manner as provided in this Article for the election of officers of the county central committee, and such election shall follow the election of officers of the county central committee. Each elected ward, township or precinct committeeperson shall cast as his vote one vote for each ballot voted in his ward, township, part of a township or precinct in the last preceding primary election of his political party. In the case of a county lying partially within one congressional district and partially within another congressional district, each ward, township or precinct committeeperson shall vote only with respect to the congressional district in which his ward, township, part of a township or precinct is located. In the case of a congressional district which encompasses more than one county, each ward, township or precinct committeeperson residing within the congressional district shall cast as his vote one vote for each ballot voted in his ward, township, part of a township or precinct in the last preceding primary election of his political party for one candidate of his party for member of the State central committee for the congressional district in which he resides and the Chair of the county central committee shall report the results of the election to the State Board of Elections. The State Board of Elections shall certify the candidate receiving the highest number of votes elected State central committeeperson for that congressional district.
The State central committee shall adopt rules to provide for and govern the procedures to be followed in the election of members of the State central committee.
After August 6, 1999 (the effective date of Public Act 91-426), whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of Chair of a State central committee, or at the end of the term of office of Chair, the State central committee of each political party that has selected Alternative A shall elect a Chair who shall not be required to be a member of the State Central Committee. The Chair shall be a registered voter in this State and of the same political party as the State central committee.
Alternative B. Each congressional committee shall, within 30 days after the adoption of this alternative, appoint a person of the sex opposite that of the incumbent member for that congressional district to serve as an additional member of the State central committee until his or her successor is elected at the general primary election in 1986. Each congressional committee shall make this appointment by voting on the basis set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section. In each congressional district at the general primary election held in 1986 and every 4 years thereafter, the male candidate receiving the highest number of votes of the party’s male candidates for State central committeeman, and the female candidate receiving the highest number of votes of the party’s female candidates for State central committeewoman, shall be declared elected State central committeeman and State central committeewoman from the district. At the general primary election held in 1986 and every 4 years thereafter, if all a party’s candidates for State central committeemen or State central committeewomen from a congressional district are of the same sex, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected a State central committeeman or State central committeewoman from the district, and, because of a failure to elect one male and one female to the committee, a vacancy shall be declared to exist in the office of the second member of the State central committee from the district. This vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the congressional committee of the political party, and the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall be a resident of the congressional district and of the sex opposite that of the committeeman or committeewoman elected at the general primary election. Each congressional committee shall make this appointment by voting on the basis set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section.
The Chair of a State central committee composed as provided in this Alternative B must be selected from the committee’s members.
Except as provided for in Alternative A with respect to the selection of the Chair of the State central committee, under both of the foregoing alternatives, the State central committee of each political party shall be composed of members elected or appointed from the several congressional districts of the State, and of no other person or persons whomsoever. The members of the State central committee shall, within 41 days after each quadrennial election of the full committee, meet in the city of Springfield and organize by electing a Chair, and may at such time elect such officers from among their own number (or otherwise), as they may deem necessary or expedient. The outgoing chair of the State central committee of the party shall, 10 days before the meeting, notify each member of the State central committee elected at the primary of the time and place of such meeting. In the organization and proceedings of the State central committee, each State central committeeman and State central committeewoman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his or her congressional district by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the State central committee. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the State central committee of any political party, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the chairmen of the county central committees of the political party of the counties located within the congressional district in which the vacancy occurs and, if applicable, the ward and township committeepersons of the political party in counties of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants located within the congressional district. If the congressional district in which the vacancy occurs lies wholly within a county of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, the ward and township committeepersons of the political party in that congressional district shall vote to fill the vacancy. In voting to fill the vacancy, each chair of a county central committee and each ward and township committeeperson in counties of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants shall have one vote for each ballot voted in each precinct of the congressional district in which the vacancy exists of his or her county, township, or ward cast by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting to fill the vacancy in the State central committee. The person appointed to fill the vacancy shall be a resident of the congressional district in which the vacancy occurs, shall be a qualified voter, and, in a committee composed as provided in Alternative B, shall be of the same sex as his or her predecessor. A political party may, by a majority vote of the delegates of any State convention of such party, determine to return to the election of State central committeeman and State central committeewoman by the vote of primary electors. Any action taken by a political party at a State convention in accordance with this Section shall be reported to the State Board of Elections by the chair and secretary of such convention within 10 days after such action.
Ward, Township and Precinct Committeepersons

(b) At the primary in 1972 and at the general primary election every 4 years thereafter, each primary elector in cities having a population of 200,000 or over may vote for one candidate of his party in his ward for ward committeeperson. Each candidate for ward committeeperson must be a resident of and in the ward where he seeks to be elected ward committeeperson. The one having the highest number of votes shall be such ward committeeperson of such party for such ward. At the primary election in 1970 and at the general primary election every 4 years thereafter, each primary elector in counties containing a population of 2,000,000 or more, outside of cities containing a population of 200,000 or more, may vote for one candidate of his party for township committeeperson. Each candidate for township committeeperson must be a resident of and in the township or part of a township (which lies outside of a city having a population of 200,000 or more, in counties containing a population of 2,000,000 or more), and in which township or part of a township he seeks to be elected township committeeperson. The one having the highest number of votes shall be such township committeeperson of such party for such township or part of a township. At the primary in 1970 and at the general primary election every 2 years thereafter, each primary elector, except in counties having a population of 2,000,000 or over, may vote for one candidate of his party in his precinct for precinct committeeperson. Each candidate for precinct committeeperson must be a bona fide resident of the precinct where he seeks to be elected precinct committeeperson. The one having the highest number of votes shall be such precinct committeeperson of such party for such precinct. The official returns of the primary shall show the name of the committeeperson of each political party.
Terms of Committeepersons. All precinct committeepersons elected under the provisions of this Article shall continue as such committeepersons until the date of the primary to be held in the second year after their election. Except as otherwise provided in this Section for certain State central committeepersons who have 2 year terms, all State central committeepersons, township committeepersons and ward committeepersons shall continue as such committeepersons until the date of primary to be held in the fourth year after their election. However, a vacancy exists in the office of precinct committeeperson when a precinct committeeperson ceases to reside in the precinct in which he was elected and such precinct committeeperson shall thereafter neither have nor exercise any rights, powers or duties as committeeperson in that precinct, even if a successor has not been elected or appointed.

(c) The Multi-Township Central Committee shall consist of the precinct committeepersons of such party, in the multi-township assessing district formed pursuant to Section 2-10 of the Property Tax Code and shall be organized for the purposes set forth in Section 45-25 of the Township Code. In the organization and proceedings of the Multi-Township Central Committee each precinct committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his precinct by the primary electors of his party at the primary at which he was elected.
County Central Committee

(d) The county central committee of each political party in each county shall consist of the various township committeepersons, precinct committeepersons and ward committeepersons, if any, of such party in the county. In the organization and proceedings of the county central committee, each precinct committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his precinct by the primary electors of his party at the primary at which he was elected; each township committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his township or part of a township as the case may be by the primary electors of his party at the primary election for the nomination of candidates for election to the General Assembly immediately preceding the meeting of the county central committee; and in the organization and proceedings of the county central committee, each ward committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his ward by the primary electors of his party at the primary election for the nomination of candidates for election to the General Assembly immediately preceding the meeting of the county central committee.
Cook County Board of Review Election District Committee

(d-1) Each board of review election district committee of each political party in Cook County shall consist of the various township committeepersons and ward committeepersons, if any, of that party in the portions of the county composing the board of review election district. In the organization and proceedings of each of the 3 election district committees, each township committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his or her township or part of a township, as the case may be, by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the board of review election district committee; and in the organization and proceedings of each of the 3 election district committees, each ward committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his or her ward or part of that ward, as the case may be, by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the board of review election district committee.
Congressional Committee

(e) The congressional committee of each party in each congressional district shall be composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties composing the congressional district, except that in congressional districts wholly within the territorial limits of one county, the precinct committeepersons, township committeepersons and ward committeepersons, if any, of the party representing the precincts within the limits of the congressional district, shall compose the congressional committee. A State central committeeperson in each district shall be a member and the chair or, when a district has 2 State central committeepersons, a co-chairperson of the congressional committee, but shall not have the right to vote except in case of a tie.
In the organization and proceedings of congressional committees composed of precinct committeepersons or township committeepersons or ward committeepersons, or any combination thereof, each precinct committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his precinct by the primary electors of his party at the primary at which he was elected, each township committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his township or part of a township as the case may be by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the congressional committee, and each ward committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in each precinct of his ward located in such congressional district by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the congressional committee; and in the organization and proceedings of congressional committees composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties within such district, each chair of such county central committee shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his county by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the congressional committee.
Judicial District Committee

(f) The judicial district committee of each political party in each judicial district shall be composed of the chair of the county central committees of the counties composing the judicial district.
In the organization and proceedings of judicial district committees composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties within such district, each chair of such county central committee shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his county by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the judicial district committee.
Circuit Court Committee

(g) The circuit court committee of each political party in each judicial circuit outside Cook County shall be composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties composing the judicial circuit.
In the organization and proceedings of circuit court committees, each chair of a county central committee shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his county by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the circuit court committee.
Judicial Subcircuit Committee

(g-1) The judicial subcircuit committee of each political party in each judicial subcircuit in a judicial circuit divided into subcircuits shall be composed of (i) the ward and township committeepersons of the townships and wards composing the judicial subcircuit in Cook County and (ii) the precinct committeepersons of the precincts composing the judicial subcircuit in any county other than Cook County.
In the organization and proceedings of each judicial subcircuit committee, each township committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his township or part of a township, as the case may be, in the judicial subcircuit by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the judicial subcircuit committee; each precinct committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his precinct or part of a precinct, as the case may be, in the judicial subcircuit by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the judicial subcircuit committee; and each ward committeeperson shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his ward or part of a ward, as the case may be, in the judicial subcircuit by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the judicial subcircuit committee.
Municipal Central Committee

(h) The municipal central committee of each political party shall be composed of the precinct, township or ward committeepersons, as the case may be, of such party representing the precincts or wards, embraced in such city, incorporated town or village. The voting strength of each precinct, township or ward committeeperson on the municipal central committee shall be the same as his voting strength on the county central committee.
For political parties, other than a statewide political party, established only within a municipality or township, the municipal or township managing committee shall be composed of the party officers of the local established party. The party officers of a local established party shall be as follows: the chair and secretary of the caucus for those municipalities and townships authorized by statute to nominate candidates by caucus shall serve as party officers for the purpose of filling vacancies in nomination under Section 7-61; for municipalities and townships authorized by statute or ordinance to nominate candidates by petition and primary election, the party officers shall be the party’s candidates who are nominated at the primary. If no party primary was held because of the provisions of Section 7-5, vacancies in nomination shall be filled by the party’s remaining candidates who shall serve as the party’s officers.
Powers

(i) Each committee and its officers shall have the powers usually exercised by such committees and by the officers thereof, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article. The several committees herein provided for shall not have power to delegate any of their powers, or functions to any other person, officer or committee, but this shall not be construed to prevent a committee from appointing from its own membership proper and necessary subcommittees.

(j) The State central committee of a political party which elects its members by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of this Section shall adopt a plan to give effect to the delegate selection rules of the national political party and file a copy of such plan with the State Board of Elections when approved by a national political party.

(k) For the purpose of the designation of a proxy by a Congressional Committee to vote in place of an absent State central committeeman or committeewoman at meetings of the State central committee of a political party which elects its members by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of this Section, the proxy shall be appointed by the vote of the ward and township committeepersons, if any, of the wards and townships which lie entirely or partially within the Congressional District from which the absent State central committeeman or committeewoman was elected and the vote of the chairmen of the county central committees of those counties which lie entirely or partially within that Congressional District and in which there are no ward or township committeepersons. When voting for such proxy, the county chair, ward committeeperson or township committeeperson, as the case may be, shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his county, ward or township, or portion thereof within the Congressional District, by the primary electors of his party at the primary at which he was elected. However, the absent State central committeeman or committeewoman may designate a proxy when permitted by the rules of a political party which elects its members by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of this Section.
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person is ineligible to hold the position of committeeperson in any committee established pursuant to this Section if he or she is statutorily ineligible to vote in a general election because of conviction of a felony. When a committeeperson is convicted of a felony, the position occupied by that committeeperson shall automatically become vacant.
(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17; 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-8.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-8.01)
Sec. 7-8.01. The county board district committee of each political party in each county board district created pursuant to “An Act relating to the composition and election of county boards in certain counties”, enacted by the 76th General Assembly, shall consist of the precinct committeepersons of the precincts included in the county board district.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-8.02) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-8.02)
Sec. 7-8.02. The State’s Attorney committee for each group of counties which jointly elect a State’s Attorney and the Superintendent of Multi-County Educational Service Region committee for each group of counties which jointly elect a Superintendent of a Multi-County Educational Service Region shall consist of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties composing such group of counties. In the organization and proceedings of a State’s Attorney or Superintendent of Multi-County Educational Service Region committee, each chair of a county central committee shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his or her county by the primary electors of his or her party at the last primary of an even-numbered year.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-8.03)
Sec. 7-8.03. State central committees; discrimination and harassment policies. No later than 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 100th General Assembly, each State central committee of an established statewide political party shall establish and maintain a policy that includes, at a minimum: (i) a prohibition on discrimination and harassment; (ii) details on how an individual can report an allegation of discrimination or harassment; (iii) a prohibition on retaliation for reporting discrimination or harassment allegations; and (iv) the consequences of a violation of the prohibition on sexual harassment and the consequences for knowingly making a false report.
A State central committee, or its appropriate designee, shall notify the Board of the adoption of the required policies.
The requirements of this Section shall not prohibit a political committee from considering political affiliation, as permitted by law and the United States Constitution, when hiring or retaining a person as an employee, consultant, independent contractor, or volunteer.
(Source: P.A. 100-588, eff. 6-8-18.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-9)
Sec. 7-9. County central committee; county and State conventions.
(a) On the 29th day next succeeding the primary at which committeepersons are elected, the county central committee of each political party shall meet within the county and proceed to organize by electing from its own number a chair and either from its own number, or otherwise, such other officers as such committee may deem necessary or expedient. Such meeting of the county central committee shall be known as the county convention.
The chair of each county committee shall within 10 days after the organization, forward to the State Board of Elections, the names and post office addresses of the officers, precinct committeepersons and representative committeepersons elected by his political party.
The county convention of each political party shall choose delegates to the State convention of its party, if the party chooses to hold a State convention; but in any county having within its limits any city having a population of 200,000, or over the delegates from such city shall be chosen by wards, the ward committeepersons from the respective wards choosing the number of delegates to which such ward is entitled on the basis prescribed in paragraph (e) of this Section such delegates to be members of the delegation to the State convention from such county. In all counties containing a population of 2,000,000 or more outside of cities having a population of 200,000 or more, the delegates from each of the townships or parts of townships as the case may be shall be chosen by townships or parts of townships as the case may be, the township committeepersons from the respective townships or parts of townships as the case may be choosing the number of delegates to which such townships or parts of townships as the case may be are entitled, on the basis prescribed in paragraph (e) of this Section such delegates to be members of the delegation to the State convention from such county.
Each member of the State Central Committee of a political party which elects its members by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of Section 7-8 shall be a delegate to the State Convention, if the party chooses to hold a State convention, ex officio.
Each member of the State Central Committee of a political party which elects its members by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of Section 7-8 may appoint 2 delegates to the State Convention, if the party chooses to hold a State convention, who must be residents of the member’s Congressional District.

(b) State conventions may be held within 180 days after the general primary in the year 2000 and every 4 years thereafter. In the year 1998, and every 4 years thereafter, the chair of a State central committee may issue a call for a State convention within 180 days after the general primary.
The State convention of each political party, if the party chooses to hold a State convention, has power to make nominations of candidates of its political party for the electors of President and Vice President of the United States, and to adopt any party platform, and, to the extent determined by the State central committee as provided in Section 7-14, to choose and select delegates and alternate delegates at large to national nominating conventions. The State Central Committee may adopt rules to provide for and govern the procedures of the State convention.

(c) The chair and secretary of each State convention, if the party chooses to hold a State convention, shall, within 2 days thereafter, transmit to the State Board of Elections of this State a certificate setting forth the names and addresses of all persons nominated by such State convention for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, and of any persons selected by the State convention for delegates and alternate delegates at large to national nominating conventions; and the names of such candidates so chosen by such State convention for electors of President and Vice President of the United States, shall be caused by the State Board of Elections to be printed upon the official ballot at the general election, in the manner required by law, and shall be certified to the various county clerks of the proper counties in the manner as provided in Section 7-60 of this Article 7 for the certifying of the names of persons nominated by any party for State offices. If and as long as this Act prescribes that the names of such electors be not printed on the ballot, then the names of such electors shall be certified in such manner as may be prescribed by the parts of this Act applicable thereto.

(d) Each convention, if the party chooses to hold a State convention, may perform all other functions inherent to such political organization and not inconsistent with this Article.

(e) At least 33 days before the date of a State convention, if the party chooses to hold a State convention, the chair of the State central committee of each political party shall file in the principal office of the State Board of Elections a call for the State convention. Such call shall state, among other things, the time and place (designating the building or hall) for holding the State convention. Such call shall be signed by the chair and attested by the secretary of the committee. In such convention each county shall be entitled to one delegate for each 500 ballots voted by the primary electors of the party in such county at the primary to be held next after the issuance of such call; and if in such county, less than 500 ballots are so voted or if the number of ballots so voted is not exactly a multiple of 500, there shall be one delegate for such group which is less than 500, or for such group representing the number of votes over the multiple of 500, which delegate shall have 1/500 of one vote for each primary vote so represented by him. The call for such convention shall set forth this paragraph (e) of Section 7-9 in full and shall direct that the number of delegates to be chosen be calculated in compliance herewith and that such number of delegates be chosen.

(f) All precinct, township and ward committeepersons when elected as provided in this Section shall serve as though elected at large irrespective of any changes that may be made in precinct, township or ward boundaries and the voting strength of each committeeperson shall remain as provided in this Section for the entire time for which he is elected.

(g) The officers elected at any convention provided for in this Section shall serve until their successors are elected as provided in this Act.

(h) A special meeting of any central committee may be called by the chair, or by not less than 25% of the members of such committee, by giving 5 days notice to members of such committee in writing designating the time and place at which such special meeting is to be held and the business which it is proposed to present at such special meeting.

(i) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, whenever a vacancy exists in the office of precinct committeeperson because no one was elected to that office or because the precinct committeeperson ceases to reside in the precinct or for any other reason, the chair of the county central committee of the appropriate political party may fill the vacancy in such office by appointment of a qualified resident of the county and the appointed precinct committeeperson shall serve as though elected; however, no such appointment may be made between the general primary election and the 30th day after the general primary election.

(j) If the number of Congressional Districts in the State of Illinois is reduced as a result of reapportionment of Congressional Districts following a federal decennial census, the State Central Committeemen and Committeewomen of a political party which elects its State Central Committee by either Alternative A or by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of Section 7-8 who were previously elected shall continue to serve as if no reapportionment had occurred until the expiration of their terms.
(Source: P.A. 99-522, eff. 6-30-16; 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-9.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-9.1)
Sec. 7-9.1. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, whenever a vacancy exists in the office of delegate to a State or national nominating convention by reason of death or for any other reason, then the alternate receiving the highest vote shall succeed to the vacated office and exercise all the rights and prerogatives and discharge all the duties of the office. The vacated office of alternate shall be filled by the congressional committee of the district.

(b) Vacancies, whether temporary or permanent, in the office of delegate to the national nominating convention of a political party whose State Central Committee uses Alternative B of Section 7-14.1 shall be filled by alternate delegates in the following order:

1. Alternates from the same District with same Presidential preference;

2. Alternates from other Districts with same Presidential preference;

3. Alternate at-large delegates with same Presidential preference;

4. Alternates from the same District with different Presidential preference;

5. Alternates from other Districts with different Presidential preference;

6. Alternate at-large delegates with different Presidential preference.

Unpledged delegates shall be replaced by unpledged alternates.
Each delegate shall certify in writing the order of his succession of alternates to the chair of the State’s delegation.
The delegation shall, as soon as practicable, fill a vacancy in the position of alternate delegate by choosing, in accord with its rules, a person of the same Presidential preference and from the same political subdivision.
The alternate succeeding to the vacated office shall exercise all the rights and prerogatives of the office and discharge all the duties of the office.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-10)
Sec. 7-10. Form of petition for nomination. The name of no candidate for nomination, or State central committeeperson, or township committeeperson, or precinct committeeperson, or ward committeeperson or candidate for delegate or alternate delegate to national nominating conventions, shall be printed upon the primary ballot unless a petition for nomination has been filed in his behalf as provided in this Article in substantially the following form:
We, the undersigned, members of and affiliated with the …. party and qualified primary electors of the …. party, in the …. of …., in the county of …. and State of Illinois, do hereby petition that the following named person or persons shall be a candidate or candidates of the …. party for the nomination for (or in case of committeepersons for election to) the office or offices hereinafter specified, to be voted for at the primary election to be held on (insert date).
Name Office Address
John Jones Governor Belvidere, Ill.
Jane James
Lieutenant Governor Peoria, Ill.
Thomas Smith Attorney General Oakland, Ill.

Name……………… Address…………………..

State of Illinois)
) ss.
County of……..)
I, …., do hereby certify that I reside at No. …. street, in the …. of …., county of …., and State of ….., that I am 18 years of age or older, that I am a citizen of the United States, and that the signatures on this sheet were signed in my presence, and are genuine, and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the persons so signing were at the time of signing the petitions qualified voters of the …. party, and that their respective residences are correctly stated, as above set forth.
…………………….
Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).
…………………….

Each sheet of the petition other than the statement of candidacy and candidate’s statement shall be of uniform size and shall contain above the space for signatures an appropriate heading giving the information as to name of candidate or candidates, in whose behalf such petition is signed; the office, the political party represented and place of residence; and the heading of each sheet shall be the same.
Such petition shall be signed by qualified primary electors residing in the political division for which the nomination is sought in their own proper persons only and opposite the signature of each signer, his residence address shall be written or printed. The residence address required to be written or printed opposite each qualified primary elector’s name shall include the street address or rural route number of the signer, as the case may be, as well as the signer’s county, and city, village or town, and state. However the county or city, village or town, and state of residence of the electors may be printed on the petition forms where all of the electors signing the petition reside in the same county or city, village or town, and state. Standard abbreviations may be used in writing the residence address, including street number, if any. At the bottom of each sheet of such petition shall be added a circulator statement signed by a person 18 years of age or older who is a citizen of the United States, stating the street address or rural route number, as the case may be, as well as the county, city, village or town, and state; and certifying that the signatures on that sheet of the petition were signed in his or her presence and certifying that the signatures are genuine; and either (1) indicating the dates on which that sheet was circulated, or (2) indicating the first and last dates on which the sheet was circulated, or (3) certifying that none of the signatures on the sheet were signed more than 90 days preceding the last day for the filing of the petition and certifying that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief the persons so signing were at the time of signing the petitions qualified voters of the political party for which a nomination is sought. Such statement shall be sworn to before some officer authorized to administer oaths in this State.
No petition sheet shall be circulated more than 90 days preceding the last day provided in Section 7-12 for the filing of such petition.
The person circulating the petition, or the candidate on whose behalf the petition is circulated, may strike any signature from the petition, provided that:

(1) the person striking the signature shall initial the petition at the place where the signature is struck; and

(2) the person striking the signature shall sign a certification listing the page number and line number of each signature struck from the petition. Such certification shall be filed as a part of the petition.

Such sheets before being filed shall be neatly fastened together in book form, by placing the sheets in a pile and fastening them together at one edge in a secure and suitable manner, and the sheets shall then be numbered consecutively. The sheets shall not be fastened by pasting them together end to end, so as to form a continuous strip or roll. All petition sheets which are filed with the proper local election officials, election authorities or the State Board of Elections shall be the original sheets which have been signed by the voters and by the circulator thereof, and not photocopies or duplicates of such sheets. Each petition must include as a part thereof, a statement of candidacy for each of the candidates filing, or in whose behalf the petition is filed. This statement shall set out the address of such candidate, the office for which he is a candidate, shall state that the candidate is a qualified primary voter of the party to which the petition relates and is qualified for the office specified (in the case of a candidate for State’s Attorney it shall state that the candidate is at the time of filing such statement a licensed attorney-at-law of this State), shall state that he has filed (or will file before the close of the petition filing period) a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, shall request that the candidate’s name be placed upon the official ballot, and shall be subscribed and sworn to by such candidate before some officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds in the State and shall be in substantially the following form:
Statement of Candidacy
Name Address Office District Party
John Jones 102 Main St. Governor Statewide Republican

Belvidere,

Illinois

State of Illinois)
) ss.
County of …….)
I, …., being first duly sworn, say that I reside at …. Street in the city (or village) of …., in the county of …., State of Illinois; that I am a qualified voter therein and am a qualified primary voter of the …. party; that I am a candidate for nomination (for election in the case of committeeperson and delegates and alternate delegates) to the office of …. to be voted upon at the primary election to be held on (insert date); that I am legally qualified (including being the holder of any license that may be an eligibility requirement for the office I seek the nomination for) to hold such office and that I have filed (or I will file before the close of the petition filing period) a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official primary ballot for nomination for (or election to in the case of committeepersons and delegates and alternate delegates) such office.
Signed ………………….
Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by …., who is to me personally known, on (insert date).
Signed ………………..
(Official Character)
(Seal, if officer has one.)

The petitions, when filed, shall not be withdrawn or added to, and no signatures shall be revoked except by revocation filed in writing with the State Board of Elections, election authority or local election official with whom the petition is required to be filed, and before the filing of such petition. Whoever forges the name of a signer upon any petition required by this Article is deemed guilty of a forgery and on conviction thereof shall be punished accordingly.
A candidate for the offices listed in this Section must obtain the number of signatures specified in this Section on his or her petition for nomination.

(a) Statewide office or delegate to a national nominating convention. If a candidate seeks to run for statewide office or as a delegate or alternate delegate to a national nominating convention elected from the State at-large, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least 5,000 but not more than 10,000 signatures.

(b) Congressional office or congressional delegate to a national nominating convention. If a candidate seeks to run for United States Congress or as a congressional delegate or alternate congressional delegate to a national nominating convention elected from a congressional district, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party in his or her congressional district. In the first primary election following a redistricting of congressional districts, a candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least 600 signatures of qualified primary electors of the candidate’s political party in his or her congressional district.

(c) County office. If a candidate seeks to run for any countywide office, including but not limited to county board chairperson or county board member, elected on an at-large basis, in a county other than Cook County, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party who cast votes at the last preceding general election in his or her county. If a candidate seeks to run for county board member elected from a county board district, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party in the county board district. In the first primary election following a redistricting of county board districts or the initial establishment of county board districts, a candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party in the entire county who cast votes at the last preceding general election divided by the total number of county board districts comprising the county board; provided that in no event shall the number of signatures be less than 25.

(d) County office; Cook County only.

(1) If a candidate seeks to run for countywide office in Cook County, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party who cast votes at the last preceding general election in Cook County.

(2) If a candidate seeks to run for Cook County Board Commissioner, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party in his or her county board district. In the first primary election following a redistricting of Cook County Board of Commissioners districts, a candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party in the entire county who cast votes at the last preceding general election divided by the total number of county board districts comprising the county board; provided that in no event shall the number of signatures be less than 25.

(3) If a candidate seeks to run for Cook County Board of Review Commissioner, which is elected from a district pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 5-5 of the Property Tax Code, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the total number of registered voters in his or her board of review district in the last general election at which a commissioner was regularly scheduled to be elected from that board of review district. In no event shall the number of signatures required be greater than the requisite number for a candidate who seeks countywide office in Cook County under subsection (d)(1) of this Section. In the first primary election following a redistricting of Cook County Board of Review districts, a candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least 4,000 signatures or at least the number of signatures required for a countywide candidate in Cook County, whichever is less, of the qualified electors of his or her party in the district.

(e) Municipal or township office. If a candidate seeks to run for municipal or township office, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party in the municipality or township. If a candidate seeks to run for alderman of a municipality, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party of the ward. In the first primary election following redistricting of aldermanic wards or trustee districts of a municipality or the initial establishment of wards or districts, a candidate’s petition for nomination must contain the number of signatures equal to at least 0.5% of the total number of votes cast for the candidate of that political party who received the highest number of votes in the entire municipality at the last regular election at which an officer was regularly scheduled to be elected from the entire municipality, divided by the number of wards or districts. In no event shall the number of signatures be less than 25.

(f) State central committeeperson. If a candidate seeks to run for State central committeeperson, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least 100 signatures of the primary electors of his or her party of his or her congressional district.

(g) Sanitary district trustee. If a candidate seeks to run for trustee of a sanitary district in which trustees are not elected from wards, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the primary electors of his or her party from the sanitary district. If a candidate seeks to run for trustee of a sanitary district in which trustees are elected from wards, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the primary electors of his or her party in the ward of that sanitary district. In the first primary election following redistricting of sanitary districts elected from wards, a candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the signatures of 150 qualified primary electors of his or her ward of that sanitary district.

(h) Judicial office. If a candidate seeks to run for judicial office in a district, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain the number of signatures equal to 0.4% of the number of votes cast in that district for the candidate for his or her political party for the office of Governor at the last general election at which a Governor was elected, but in no event less than 500 signatures. If a candidate seeks to run for judicial office in a circuit or subcircuit, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain the number of signatures equal to 0.25% of the number of votes cast for the judicial candidate of his or her political party who received the highest number of votes at the last general election at which a judicial officer from the same circuit or subcircuit was regularly scheduled to be elected, but in no event less than 1,000 signatures in circuits and subcircuits located in the First Judicial District or 500 signatures in every other Judicial District.

(i) Precinct, ward, and township committeeperson. If a candidate seeks to run for precinct committeeperson, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least 10 signatures of the primary electors of his or her party for the precinct. If a candidate seeks to run for ward committeeperson, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain no less than the number of signatures equal to 10% of the primary electors of his or her party of the ward, but no more than 16% of those same electors; provided that the maximum number of signatures may be 50 more than the minimum number, whichever is greater. If a candidate seeks to run for township committeeperson, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain no less than the number of signatures equal to 5% of the primary electors of his or her party of the township, but no more than 8% of those same electors; provided that the maximum number of signatures may be 50 more than the minimum number, whichever is greater.

(j) State’s attorney or regional superintendent of schools for multiple counties. If a candidate seeks to run for State’s attorney or regional Superintendent of Schools who serves more than one county, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the primary electors of his or her party in the territory comprising the counties.

(k) Any other office. If a candidate seeks any other office, then the candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the registered voters of the political subdivision, district, or division for which the nomination is made or 25 signatures, whichever is greater.
For purposes of this Section the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total vote cast, in the applicable district, for the candidate for that political party who received the highest number of votes, statewide, at the last general election in the State at which electors for President of the United States were elected. For political subdivisions, the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total vote cast for the candidate for that political party who received the highest number of votes in the political subdivision at the last regular election at which an officer was regularly scheduled to be elected from that subdivision. For wards or districts of political subdivisions, the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total vote cast for the candidate for that political party who received the highest number of votes in the ward or district at the last regular election at which an officer was regularly scheduled to be elected from that ward or district.

A “qualified primary elector” of a party may not sign petitions for or be a candidate in the primary of more than one party.
The changes made to this Section of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly are declarative of existing law, except for item (3) of subsection (d).
Petitions of candidates for nomination for offices herein specified, to be filed with the same officer, may contain the names of 2 or more candidates of the same political party for the same or different offices. In the case of the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor, a joint petition including one candidate for each of those offices must be filed.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-10.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-10.1)
Sec. 7-10.1. Each petition or certificate of nomination shall include as a part thereof, a statement for each of the candidates filing, or in whose behalf the petition or certificate of nomination is filed, said statement shall be subscribed and sworn to by such candidate or nominee before some officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds in this State and shall be in substantially the following form:
United States of America )
) ss
State of Illinois )
I, …. do swear that I am a citizen of the United States and the State of Illinois, that I am not affiliated directly or indirectly with any communist organization or any communist front organization, or any foreign political agency, party, organization or government which advocates the overthrow of constitutional government by force or other means not permitted under the Constitution of the United States or the constitution of this State; that I do not directly or indirectly teach or advocate the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this State or any unlawful change in the form of the governments thereof by force or any unlawful means.
…………………..
Subscribed and sworn to by me on (insert date).
…………………..
(Notary Public)
My commission expires: …..
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-10.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-10.2)
Sec. 7-10.2. In the designation of the name of a candidate on a petition for nomination or certificate of nomination the candidate’s given name or names, initial or initials, a nickname by which the candidate is commonly known, or a combination thereof, may be used in addition to the candidate’s surname. If a candidate has changed his or her name, whether by a statutory or common law procedure in Illinois or any other jurisdiction, within 3 years before the last day for filing the petition or certificate for that office, whichever is applicable, then (i) the candidate’s name on the petition or certificate must be followed by “formerly known as (list all prior names during the 3-year period) until name changed on (list date of each such name change)” and (ii) the petition or certificate must be accompanied by the candidate’s affidavit stating the candidate’s previous names during the period specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those names was changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds for denying certification of the candidate’s name for the ballot or removing the candidate’s name from the ballot, as appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent’s or parents’ surname, marriage to assume a spouse’s surname, or dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of marriage to assume a former surname. No other designation such as a political slogan, as defined by Section 7-17, title or degree, or nickname suggesting or implying possession of a title, degree or professional status, or similar information may be used in connection with the candidate’s surname.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 94-1090, eff. 6-1-07.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-10.3) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-10.3)
Sec. 7-10.3. (A) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (C) of this Section, a candidate for delegate or alternate delegate to a national nominating convention shall file with the State Board of Elections at the time of filing the statement of candidacy described in Section 7-10, a statement declaring the name of his preference for President of the United States or that he is uncommitted.

(B) If more candidates for delegate or alternate delegate in a congressional district than have been allocated to that district file statements designating the same presidential candidate as their preference for President of the United States, the presidential candidate so designated or his authorized representative may, within 10 days after the last day for filing such statements, file an affidavit designating which of such candidates he wants to be listed on the ballot as being committed to the presidential candidate. Candidates for delegate or alternate delegate not designated on an affidavit by the presidential candidate shall be listed on the ballot as uncommitted. In no event may the designated person’s filing of the affidavit leave fewer candidates listed on the ballot as being committed to him than the number of delegates or alternate delegates allocated to the district.

(C) The State central committee of a political party may choose to file a statement with the State Board of Elections not less than 30 days prior to the first day for filing the statement of candidacy described in Section 7-10, specifying that a candidate for delegate or alternate delegate shall not be required to file an official declaration statement pursuant to this Section.

If the State central committee of a political party specifies that any such official declaration statement is not required to be filed by the candidates for delegates and alternate delegates to the national nominating convention of any such political party, then no such declaration statement shall be required to be made.
(Source: P.A. 85-903.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-11)
Sec. 7-11. Any candidate for President of the United States may have his name printed upon the primary ballot of his political party by filing in the office of the State Board of Elections not more than 113 and not less than 106 days prior to the date of the general primary, in any year in which a Presidential election is to be held, a petition signed by not less than 3000 or more than 5000 primary electors, members of and affiliated with the party of which he is a candidate, and no candidate for President of the United States, who fails to comply with the provisions of this Article shall have his name printed upon any primary ballot: Provided, however, that if the rules or policies of a national political party conflict with such requirements for filing petitions for President of the United States in a presidential preference primary, the Chair of the State central committee of such national political party shall notify the State Board of Elections in writing, citing by reference the rules or policies of the national political party in conflict, and in such case the Board shall direct such petitions to be filed in accordance with the delegate selection plan adopted by the state central committee of such national political party. Provided, further, unless rules or policies of a national political party otherwise provide, the vote for President of the United States, as herein provided for, shall be for the sole purpose of securing an expression of the sentiment and will of the party voters with respect to candidates for nomination for said office, and the vote of the state at large shall be taken and considered as advisory to the delegates and alternates at large to the national conventions of respective political parties; and the vote of the respective congressional districts shall be taken and considered as advisory to the delegates and alternates of said congressional districts to the national conventions of the respective political parties.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-11.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-11.1)
Sec. 7-11.1. Whenever a vacancy in any elective county office is to be filled by election pursuant to Section 25-11 of this Code or Section 2-6003 of the Counties Code, nominations shall be made and any vacancy in nomination for a county office shall be filled pursuant to this Section:

(1) If the vacancy in office occurs before the first date provided in Section 7-12 for filing nomination papers for the primary in the next even numbered year following the commencement of the term, nominations for the election for filling such vacancy shall be made pursuant to this Article 7 as provided for other county offices.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3.5), if the vacancy in office occurs during the time provided in Section 7-12 for filing nomination papers for county offices for the primary in the next even-numbered year following commencement of the term of office in which such vacancy occurs, the time for filing nomination papers for such office for the primary shall not be more than 91 days and not less than 85 days prior to the date of the primary election.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3.5), if the vacancy in office occurs after the last day provided in Section 7-12 for filing nomination papers for any elective county office a vacancy in nomination shall be deemed to have occurred and the county central committee or the appropriate county board district committee of each established political party shall nominate, by resolution, a candidate to fill such vacancy in nomination for election to such office at such general election. In the nomination proceedings to fill such vacancy in nomination, each member of the county central committee, or the county board district committee, as the case may be, shall have the voting strength as set forth in Sections 7-8 and 7-8.01, respectively. The name of the candidate so nominated shall not appear on the ballot at the general primary election. Such vacancy in nomination shall be filled prior to the date of certification of candidates for the general election.

(3.5) If the vacancy in the Office of President of the Cook County Board occurs on or after the first day provided in Section 7-12 for filing nomination papers for the primary in the next even-numbered year following the commencement of the term, a vacancy in nomination shall be deemed to have occurred and the county central committee of each established political party shall nominate, by resolution, a candidate to fill such vacancy in nomination for the election to such office at such general election. In the nomination proceedings to fill such vacancy in nomination, each member of the county central committee shall have the voting strength as set forth in Section 7-8. The office shall not appear on the ballot at the general primary election. Any vacancy in nomination occurring on or after the primary and prior to certification must be filled prior to the date of certification. Any vacancy in nomination occurring after certification but prior to 15 days before the general election shall be filled within 8 days after the event creating the vacancy in nomination.

(4) The resolution to fill the vacancy shall be duly acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgments of deeds and shall include, upon its face, the following information:

(a) the name of the original nominee and the office vacated;

(b) the date on which the vacancy occurred;

(c) the name and address of the nominee selected to fill the vacancy and the date of selection.

The resolution to fill the vacancy shall be accompanied by a Statement of Candidacy, as prescribed in Section 7-10, completed by the selected nominee and a receipt indicating that such nominee has filed a Statement of Economic Interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.
The provisions of Sections 10-8 through 10-10.1 relating to objections to nomination papers, hearings on objections and judicial review, shall also apply to and govern objections to nomination papers and resolutions for filling vacancies in nomination filed pursuant to this Section.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the nomination and election provided for in this Section shall be governed by this Code.
(Source: P.A. 101-188, eff. 8-2-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-12)
Sec. 7-12. All petitions for nomination shall be filed by mail or in person as follows:

(1) Where the nomination is to be made for a State, congressional, or judicial office, or for any office a nomination for which is made for a territorial division or district which comprises more than one county or is partly in one county and partly in another county or counties (including the Fox Metro Water Reclamation District), then, except as otherwise provided in this Section, such petition for nomination shall be filed in the principal office of the State Board of Elections not more than 113 and not less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary, but, in the case of petitions for nomination to fill a vacancy by special election in the office of representative in Congress from this State, such petition for nomination shall be filed in the principal office of the State Board of Elections not more than 85 days and not less than 82 days prior to the date of the primary.
Where a vacancy occurs in the office of Supreme, Appellate or Circuit Court Judge within the 3-week period preceding the 106th day before a general primary election, petitions for nomination for the office in which the vacancy has occurred shall be filed in the principal office of the State Board of Elections not more than 92 nor less than 85 days prior to the date of the general primary election.
Where the nomination is to be made for delegates or alternate delegates to a national nominating convention, then such petition for nomination shall be filed in the principal office of the State Board of Elections not more than 113 and not less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary; provided, however, that if the rules or policies of a national political party conflict with such requirements for filing petitions for nomination for delegates or alternate delegates to a national nominating convention, the chair of the State central committee of such national political party shall notify the Board in writing, citing by reference the rules or policies of the national political party in conflict, and in such case the Board shall direct such petitions to be filed in accordance with the delegate selection plan adopted by the state central committee of such national political party.

(2) Where the nomination is to be made for a county office or trustee of a sanitary district then such petition shall be filed in the office of the county clerk not more than 113 nor less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary.

(3) Where the nomination is to be made for a municipal or township office, such petitions for nomination shall be filed in the office of the local election official, not more than 99 nor less than 92 days prior to the date of the primary; provided, where a municipality’s or township’s boundaries are coextensive with or are entirely within the jurisdiction of a municipal board of election commissioners, the petitions shall be filed in the office of such board; and provided, that petitions for the office of multi-township assessor shall be filed with the election authority.

(4) The petitions of candidates for State central committeeperson shall be filed in the principal office of the State Board of Elections not more than 113 nor less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary.

(5) Petitions of candidates for precinct, township or ward committeepersons shall be filed in the office of the county clerk not more than 113 nor less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary.

(6) The State Board of Elections and the various election authorities and local election officials with whom such petitions for nominations are filed shall specify the place where filings shall be made and upon receipt shall endorse thereon the day and hour on which each petition was filed. All petitions filed by persons waiting in line as of 8:00 a.m. on the first day for filing, or as of the normal opening hour of the office involved on such day, shall be deemed filed as of 8:00 a.m. or the normal opening hour, as the case may be. Petitions filed by mail and received after midnight of the first day for filing and in the first mail delivery or pickup of that day shall be deemed as filed as of 8:00 a.m. of that day or as of the normal opening hour of such day, as the case may be. All petitions received thereafter shall be deemed as filed in the order of actual receipt. However, 2 or more petitions filed within the last hour of the filing deadline shall be deemed filed simultaneously. Where 2 or more petitions are received simultaneously, the State Board of Elections or the various election authorities or local election officials with whom such petitions are filed shall break ties and determine the order of filing, by means of a lottery or other fair and impartial method of random selection approved by the State Board of Elections. Such lottery shall be conducted within 9 days following the last day for petition filing and shall be open to the public. Seven days written notice of the time and place of conducting such random selection shall be given by the State Board of Elections to the chair of the State central committee of each established political party, and by each election authority or local election official, to the County Chair of each established political party, and to each organization of citizens within the election jurisdiction which was entitled, under this Article, at the next preceding election, to have pollwatchers present on the day of election. The State Board of Elections, election authority or local election official shall post in a conspicuous, open and public place, at the entrance of the office, notice of the time and place of such lottery. The State Board of Elections shall adopt rules and regulations governing the procedures for the conduct of such lottery. All candidates shall be certified in the order in which their petitions have been filed. Where candidates have filed simultaneously, they shall be certified in the order determined by lot and prior to candidates who filed for the same office at a later time.

(7) The State Board of Elections or the appropriate election authority or local election official with whom such a petition for nomination is filed shall notify the person for whom a petition for nomination has been filed of the obligation to file statements of organization, reports of campaign contributions, and annual reports of campaign contributions and expenditures under Article 9 of this Act. Such notice shall be given in the manner prescribed by paragraph (7) of Section 9-16 of this Code.

(8) Nomination papers filed under this Section are not valid if the candidate named therein fails to file a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act in relation to his candidacy with the appropriate officer by the end of the period for the filing of nomination papers unless he has filed a statement of economic interests in relation to the same governmental unit with that officer within a year preceding the date on which such nomination papers were filed. If the nomination papers of any candidate and the statement of economic interest of that candidate are not required to be filed with the same officer, the candidate must file with the officer with whom the nomination papers are filed a receipt from the officer with whom the statement of economic interests is filed showing the date on which such statement was filed. Such receipt shall be so filed not later than the last day on which nomination papers may be filed.

(9) Any person for whom a petition for nomination, or for committeeperson or for delegate or alternate delegate to a national nominating convention has been filed may cause his name to be withdrawn by request in writing, signed by him and duly acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgments of deeds, and filed in the principal or permanent branch office of the State Board of Elections or with the appropriate election authority or local election official, not later than the date of certification of candidates for the consolidated primary or general primary ballot. No names so withdrawn shall be certified or printed on the primary ballot. If petitions for nomination have been filed for the same person with respect to more than one political party, his name shall not be certified nor printed on the primary ballot of any party. If petitions for nomination have been filed for the same person for 2 or more offices which are incompatible so that the same person could not serve in more than one of such offices if elected, that person must withdraw as a candidate for all but one of such offices within the 5 business days following the last day for petition filing. A candidate in a judicial election may file petitions for nomination for only one vacancy in a subcircuit and only one vacancy in a circuit in any one filing period, and if petitions for nomination have been filed for the same person for 2 or more vacancies in the same circuit or subcircuit in the same filing period, his or her name shall be certified only for the first vacancy for which the petitions for nomination were filed. If he fails to withdraw as a candidate for all but one of such offices within such time his name shall not be certified, nor printed on the primary ballot, for any office. For the purpose of the foregoing provisions, an office in a political party is not incompatible with any other office.

(10)

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, no primary shall be held for an established political party in any township, municipality, or ward thereof, where the nomination of such party for every office to be voted upon by the electors of such township, municipality, or ward thereof, is uncontested. Whenever a political party’s nomination of candidates is uncontested as to one or more, but not all, of the offices to be voted upon by the electors of a township, municipality, or ward thereof, then a primary shall be held for that party in such township, municipality, or ward thereof; provided that the primary ballot shall not include those offices within such township, municipality, or ward thereof, for which the nomination is uncontested. For purposes of this Article, the nomination of an established political party of a candidate for election to an office shall be deemed to be uncontested where not more than the number of persons to be nominated have timely filed valid nomination papers seeking the nomination of such party for election to such office.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of any other statute, no primary election shall be held for an established political party for any special primary election called for the purpose of filling a vacancy in the office of representative in the United States Congress where the nomination of such political party for said office is uncontested. For the purposes of this Article, the nomination of an established political party of a candidate for election to said office shall be deemed to be uncontested where not more than the number of persons to be nominated have timely filed valid nomination papers seeking the nomination of such established party for election to said office. This subsection (b) shall not apply if such primary election is conducted on a regularly scheduled election day.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions in subparagraph (a) and (b) of this paragraph (10), whenever a person who has not timely filed valid nomination papers and who intends to become a write-in candidate for a political party’s nomination for any office for which the nomination is uncontested files a written statement or notice of that intent with the State Board of Elections or the local election official with whom nomination papers for such office are filed, a primary ballot shall be prepared and a primary shall be held for that office. Such statement or notice shall be filed on or before the date established in this Article for certifying candidates for the primary ballot. Such statement or notice shall contain (i) the name and address of the person intending to become a write-in candidate, (ii) a statement that the person is a qualified primary elector of the political party from whom the nomination is sought, (iii) a statement that the person intends to become a write-in candidate for the party’s nomination, and (iv) the office the person is seeking as a write-in candidate. An election authority shall have no duty to conduct a primary and prepare a primary ballot for any office for which the nomination is uncontested unless a statement or notice meeting the requirements of this Section is filed in a timely manner.

(11) If multiple sets of nomination papers are filed for a candidate to the same office, the State Board of Elections, appropriate election authority or local election official where the petitions are filed shall within 2 business days notify the candidate of his or her multiple petition filings and that the candidate has 3 business days after receipt of the notice to notify the State Board of Elections, appropriate election authority or local election official that he or she may cancel prior sets of petitions. If the candidate notifies the State Board of Elections, appropriate election authority or local election official, the last set of petitions filed shall be the only petitions to be considered valid by the State Board of Elections, election authority or local election official. If the candidate fails to notify the State Board of Elections, election authority or local election official then only the first set of petitions filed shall be valid and all subsequent petitions shall be void.

(12) All nominating petitions shall be available for public inspection and shall be preserved for a period of not less than 6 months.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19; 101-523, eff. 8-23-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-12.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-12.1)
Sec. 7-12.1. The provisions of Sections 10-8 through 10-10.1 relating to objections to certificates of nomination and nomination papers, hearings on objections, and judicial review, shall also apply to and govern objections to petitions for nomination filed under this Article, except as otherwise provided in Section 7-13 for cases to which it is applicable.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 597.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-13)
Sec. 7-13. The board of election commissioners in cities of 500,000 or more population having such board, shall constitute an electoral board for the hearing and passing upon objections to nomination petitions for ward committeepersons.
Such objections shall be filed in the office of the county clerk within 5 business days after the last day for filing nomination papers. The objection shall state the name and address of the objector, who may be any qualified elector in the ward, the specific grounds of objection and the relief requested of the electoral board. Upon the receipt of the objection, the county clerk shall forthwith transmit such objection and the petition of the candidate to the board of election commissioners. The board of election commissioners shall forthwith notify the objector and candidate objected to of the time and place for hearing hereon. After a hearing upon the validity of such objections, the board shall certify to the county clerk its decision stating whether or not the name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballot and the county clerk in his or her certificate to the board of election commissioners shall leave off of the certificate the name of the candidate for ward committeeperson that the election commissioners order not to be printed on the ballot. However, the decision of the board of election commissioners is subject to judicial review as provided in Section 10-10.1.
The county electoral board composed as provided in Section 10-9 shall constitute an electoral board for the hearing and passing upon objections to nomination petitions for precinct and township committeepersons. Such objections shall be filed in the office of the county clerk within 5 business days after the last day for filing nomination papers. The objection shall state the name and address of the objector who may be any qualified elector in the precinct or in the township or part of a township that lies outside of a city having a population of 500,000 or more, the specific grounds of objection and the relief requested of the electoral board. Upon the receipt of the objection the county clerk shall forthwith transmit such objection and the petition of the candidate to the chair of the county electoral board. The chair of the county electoral board shall forthwith notify the objector, the candidate whose petition is objected to and the other members of the electoral board of the time and place for hearing thereon. After hearing upon the validity of such objections the board shall certify its decision to the county clerk stating whether or not the name of the candidate shall be printed on the ballot, and the county clerk, in his or her certificate to the board of election commissioners, shall leave off of the certificate the name of the candidate ordered by the board not to be printed on the ballot, and the county clerk shall also refrain from printing on the official primary ballot, the name of any candidate whose name has been ordered by the electoral board not to be printed on the ballot. However, the decision of the board is subject to judicial review as provided in Section 10-10.1.
In such proceedings the electoral boards have the same powers as other electoral boards under the provisions of Section 10-10 of this Act and their decisions are subject to judicial review under Section 10-10.1.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-13.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-13.1)
Sec. 7-13.1. Certification of Candidates-Consolidated primary. Not less than 68 days before the date of the consolidated primary, each local election official of each political subdivision required to nominate candidates for the respective offices by primary shall certify to each election authority whose duty it is to prepare the official ballot for the consolidated primary in such political subdivision the names of all candidates in whose behalf nomination papers have been filed in the office of such local election official and direct the election authority to place upon the official ballot for the consolidated primary election the names of such candidates in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon the certification. However, subject to appeal, the names of candidates whose nomination papers have been held invalid by the appropriate electoral board provided in Section 10-9 of this Code shall not be so certified. The certification shall be modified as necessary to comply with the requirements of any other statute or any ordinance adopted pursuant to Article VII of the Constitution prescribing specific provisions for nonpartisan elections, including without limitation Articles 3, 4 and 5 of “The Municipal Code”.
The names of candidates shall be listed on the certification for the respective offices in the order in which the candidates have filed their nomination papers, or as determined by lot, or as otherwise specified by statute.
In every instance where applicable, the following shall also be indicated in the certification:
(1) Where there is to be more than one candidate elected to an office from a political subdivision or district;

(2) Where a voter has the right to vote for more than one candidate for an office;

(3) The terms of the office to be on the ballot, when a vacancy is to be filled for less than a full term, or when offices of a particular subdivision to be on the ballot at the same election are to be filled for different terms;

(4) The territory in which a candidate is required by law to reside, when such residency requirement is not identical to the territory of the political subdivision from which the candidate is to be elected or nominated;

(5) Where a candidate’s nominating papers or petitions have been objected to and the objection has been sustained by the electoral board established in Section 10-10, the words “OBJECTION SUSTAINED” shall be placed under the title of the office being sought by the candidate and the name of the aggrieved candidate shall not appear; and

(6) Where a candidate’s nominating papers or petitions have been objected to and the decision of the electoral board established in Section 10-10 is either unknown or known to be in judicial review, the words “OBJECTION PENDING” shall be placed under the title of the office being sought by the candidate and next to the name of the candidate.
The local election official shall issue an amended certification whenever it is discovered that the original certification is in error.
(Source: P.A. 95-699, eff. 11-9-07; 96-1008, eff. 7-6-10.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-14)
Sec. 7-14. Not less than 68 days before the date of the general primary the State Board of Elections shall meet and shall examine all petitions filed under this Article 7, in the office of the State Board of Elections. The State Board of Elections shall then certify to the county clerk of each county, the names of all candidates whose nomination papers or certificates of nomination have been filed with the Board and direct the county clerk to place upon the official ballot for the general primary election the names of such candidates in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon the certification.
The State Board of Elections shall, in its certificate to the county clerk, certify the names of the offices, and the names of the candidates in the order in which the offices and names shall appear upon the primary ballot; such names to appear in the order in which petitions have been filed in the office of the State Board of Elections except as otherwise provided in this Article.
Not less than 62 days before the date of the general primary, each county clerk shall certify the names of all candidates whose nomination papers have been filed with such clerk and declare that the names of such candidates for the respective offices shall be placed upon the official ballot for the general primary in the order in which such nomination papers were filed with the clerk, or as determined by lot, or as otherwise specified by statute. Each county clerk shall place a copy of the certification on file in his or her office and at the same time issue to the board of election commissioners a copy of the certification that has been filed in the county clerk’s office, together with a copy of the certification that has been issued to the clerk by the State Board of Elections, with directions to the board of election commissioners to place upon the official ballot for the general primary in that election jurisdiction the names of all candidates that are listed on such certification in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon such certifications.
The certification shall indicate, where applicable, the following:

(1) The political party affiliation of the candidates for the respective offices;

(2) If there is to be more than one candidate elected or nominated to an office from the State, political subdivision or district;

(3) If the voter has the right to vote for more than one candidate for an office;

(4) The term of office, if a vacancy is to be filled for less than a full term or if the offices to be filled in a political subdivision or district are for different terms.

The State Board of Elections or the county clerk, as the case may be, shall issue an amended certification whenever it is discovered that the original certification is in error.
Subject to appeal, the names of candidates whose nomination papers have been held invalid by the appropriate electoral board provided in Section 10-9 of this Code shall not be certified.
(Source: P.A. 96-1008, eff. 7-6-10.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-14.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-14.1)
Sec. 7-14.1. Delegates and alternate delegates to national nominating conventions shall be chosen according to one of the following alternative methods of allocating delegates for election. The State central committee of each political party established pursuant to this Article 7 shall certify to the State Board of Elections, not less than 30 days prior to the first date for filing of petitions for election as delegate or alternate delegate to a national nominating convention, which of the following alternatives it wishes to be utilized in allocating the delegates and alternate delegates to which Illinois will be entitled at its national nominating convention. The State Board of Elections shall meet promptly and, not less than 20 days prior to the first date for filing of such petitions, shall publish and certify to the county clerk in each county the number of delegates or alternate delegates to be elected from each congressional district or from the State at large or State convention of a political party, as the case may be, according to the method chosen by each State central committee. If a State central committee fails to certify to the State Board of Elections its choice of one of the following methods prior to the aforementioned meeting of the State Board of Elections, the State Board of Elections shall certify delegates for that political party pursuant to whichever of the alternatives below was used by that political party pursuant to whichever of the alternatives below was used by that political party in the most recent year in which delegates were selected, subject to any subsequent amendments.
Prior to the aforementioned meeting of the State Board of Elections at which the Board shall publish and certify to the county clerk the number of delegates or alternate delegates to be elected from each congressional district or the State at large or State convention, the Secretary of State shall ascertain from the call of the national convention of each political party the number of delegates and alternate delegates to which Illinois will be entitled at the respective national nominating conventions. The Secretary of State shall report the number of delegates and alternate delegates to which Illinois will be entitled at the respective national nominating conventions to the State Board of Elections convened as aforesaid to be utilized by the State Board of Elections in calculating the number of delegates and alternates to be elected from each congressional district in the State at large or State convention, as the case may be.
Alternative A: The State Board of Elections shall allocate the number of delegates and alternate delegates to which the State is entitled among the congressional districts in the State.

1. Of the number of delegates to which the State is entitled, 10, plus those remaining unallocated under paragraph 2, shall be delegates at large. The State central committee of the appropriate political party shall determine whether the delegates at large shall be (a) elected in the primary from the State at large, (b) selected by the State convention, or (c) chosen by a combination of these 2 methods. If the State central committee determines that all or a specified number of the delegates at large shall be elected in the primary, the committee shall file with the Board a report of such determination at the same time it certifies the alternative it wishes to use in allocating its delegates.

2. All delegates other than the delegates at large shall be elected from the congressional districts. Two delegates shall be allocated from this number to each district. After reserving 10 delegates to be delegates at large and allocating 2 delegates to each district, the Board shall allocate the remaining delegates to the congressional districts pursuant to the following formula:

(a) For each district, the number of remaining delegates shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the vote cast in the congressional district for the party’s nominee in the last Presidential election, and the denominator of which is the vote cast in the State for the party’s nominee in the last Presidential election.

(b) The Board shall first allocate to each district a number of delegates equal to the whole number in the product resulting from the multiplication procedure in subparagraph (a).

(c) The Board shall then allocate any remaining delegates, one to each district, in the order of the largest fractional remainder in the product resulting from the multiplication procedure in subparagraph (a), omitting those districts for which that product is less than 1.875.

(d) The Board shall then allocate any remaining delegates, one to each district, in the order of the largest fractional remainder in the product resulting from the multiplication procedure in subparagraph (a), among those districts for which that product is at least one but less than 1.875.

(e) Any delegates remaining unallocated shall be delegates at large and shall be selected as determined by the State central committee under paragraph 1 of this Alternative A.

3. The alternate delegates at large shall be allocated in the same manner as the delegates at large. The alternate delegates other than the alternate delegates at large shall be allocated in the same manner as the delegates other than the delegates at large.
Alternative B: the chair of the State central committee shall file with the State Board of Elections a statement of the number of delegates and alternate delegates to which the State is entitled and the number of such delegates and alternate delegates to be elected from congressional districts. The State Board of Elections shall allocate such number of delegates and alternate delegates, as the case may be, among the congressional districts in the State for election from the congressional districts.
The Board shall utilize the sum of 1/3 of each of the following formulae to determine the number of delegates and alternate delegates, as the case may be, to be elected from each congressional district:

(1) Formula 1 shall be determined by multiplying paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) together as follows:

(a) The fraction derived by dividing the population of the district by the population of the State and adding to that fraction the following: 1/2 of the fraction calculated by dividing the total district vote for the party’s candidate in the most recent presidential election by the total statewide vote for that candidate in that election, plus 1/2 of the fraction calculated by dividing the total district vote for the party’s candidate in the second most recent Presidential election by the total statewide vote for that candidate in that election;

(b) 1/2;

(c) The number of delegates or alternate delegates, as the case may be, to which the State is entitled at the party’s national nominating convention.

(2) Formula 2 shall be determined by multiplying paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) together as follows:

(a) The fraction calculated by dividing the total numbers of votes in the district for the party’s candidate in the most recent Gubernatorial election by the total statewide vote for that candidate in that election, plus, the fraction calculated by dividing the total district vote for the party’s candidate in the most recent presidential election by the total statewide vote for that candidate in that election;

(b) 1/2;

(c) The number of delegates or alternate delegates, as the case may be, to which the State is entitled at the party’s national nominating convention.

(3) Formula 3 shall be determined by multiplying paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) together as follows:

(a) 1/2 of the fraction calculated by dividing the total district vote for the party’s candidate in the most recent presidential election by the total statewide vote for that candidate in that election, plus 1/2 of the fraction calculated by dividing the total district vote for the party’s candidate in the second most recent presidential election by the total statewide vote for that candidate in that election. This sum shall be added to the fraction calculated by dividing the total voter registration of the party in the district by the total voter registration of the party in the State as of January 1 of the year prior to the year in which the national nominating convention is held;

(b) 1/2;

(c) The number of delegates or alternate delegates, as the case may be, to which the State is entitled at the party’s national nominating convention.

Fractional numbers of delegates and alternate delegates shall be rounded upward in rank order to the next whole number, largest fraction first, until the total number of delegates and alternate delegates, respectively, to be so chosen have been allocated.
The remainder of the delegates and alternate delegates shall be selected as determined by the State central committee of the party and shall be certified to the State Board of Elections by the chair of the State central committee.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, with respect to all aspects of the selection of delegates and alternate delegates to a national nominating convention under Alternative B, this Code shall be superseded by the delegate selection rules and policies of the national political party including, but not limited to, the development of an affirmative action plan.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-14.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-14.2)
Sec. 7-14.2. Delegates and alternate delegates to national conventions other than national nominating conventions shall be chosen according to procedures established by the appropriate State central committee of a political party established pursuant to this Article 7, which may include the procedure prescribed by Section 7-14.1 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 80-1122.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-14a) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-14a)
Sec. 7-14a. Where there are 2 or more additional judgeships created in any judicial district or circuit, to be filled at the same general election and to be elected from the same district, circuit or county, each such additional judgeship shall be designated by the State Board of Elections by a letter of the alphabet beginning with the letter “A”. Such designation shall be made no later than one day prior to the first day for filing of nominating petitions for such additional judgeships. Each candidate for such additional judgeship shall specify to the State Board of Elections upon the filing of his nominating petitions the judgeship for which he seeks nomination. Such candidates shall be nominated and elected for the judgeships which they have designated.
(Source: P.A. 85-903.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-15)
Sec. 7-15. At least 60 days prior to each general and consolidated primary, the election authority shall provide public notice, calculated to reach elderly voters and voters with disabilities, of the availability of registration and voting aids under the Federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, of the availability of assistance in marking the ballot, procedures for voting by a vote by mail ballot, and procedures for early voting by personal appearance. At least 20 days before the general primary the county clerk of each county, and not more than 30 nor less than 10 days before the consolidated primary the election authority, shall prepare in the manner provided in this Act, a notice of such primary which notice shall state the time and place of holding the primary, the hours during which the polls will be open, the offices for which candidates will be nominated at such primary and the political parties entitled to participate therein, notwithstanding that no candidate of any such political party may be entitled to have his name printed on the primary ballot. Such notice shall also include the list of addresses of precinct polling places for the consolidated primary unless such list is separately published by the election authority not less than 10 days before the consolidated primary.
In counties, municipalities, or towns having fewer than 500,000 inhabitants notice of the general primary shall be published once in two or more newspapers published in the county, municipality or town, as the case may be, or if there is no such newspaper, then in any two or more newspapers published in the county and having a general circulation throughout the community.
In counties, municipalities, or towns having 500,000 or more inhabitants notice of the general primary shall be published at least 15 days prior to the primary by the same authorities and in the same manner as notice of election for general elections are required to be published in counties, municipalities or towns of 500,000 or more inhabitants under this Act.
Notice of the consolidated primary shall be published once in one or more newspapers published in each political subdivision having such primary, and if there is no such newspaper, then published once in a local, community newspaper having general circulation in the subdivision, and also once in a newspaper published in the county wherein the political subdivisions, or portions thereof, having such primary are situated.
(Source: P.A. 98-1171, eff. 6-1-15; 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-16)
Sec. 7-16. Each election authority in each county shall prepare and cause to be printed the primary ballot of each political party for each precinct in his respective jurisdiction.
The election authority shall, at least 45 days prior to the date of the primary election, have a sufficient number of ballots printed so that such ballots will be available for mailing 45 days prior to the primary election to persons who have filed application for a ballot under the provisions of Article 20 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-17)
Sec. 7-17. Candidate ballot name procedures.
(a) Each election authority in each county shall cause to be printed upon the general primary ballot of each party for each precinct in his jurisdiction the name of each candidate whose petition for nomination or for committeeperson has been filed in the office of the county clerk, as herein provided; and also the name of each candidate whose name has been certified to his office by the State Board of Elections, and in the order so certified, except as hereinafter provided.
It shall be the duty of the election authority to cause to be printed upon the consolidated primary ballot of each political party for each precinct in his jurisdiction the name of each candidate whose name has been certified to him, as herein provided and which is to be voted for in such precinct.

(b) In the designation of the name of a candidate on the primary ballot the candidate’s given name or names, initial or initials, a nickname by which the candidate is commonly known, or a combination thereof, may be used in addition to the candidate’s surname. If a candidate has changed his or her name, whether by a statutory or common law procedure in Illinois or any other jurisdiction, within 3 years before the last day for filing the petition for nomination, nomination papers, or certificate of nomination for that office, whichever is applicable, then (i) the candidate’s name on the primary ballot must be followed by “formerly known as (list all prior names during the 3-year period) until name changed on (list date of each such name change)” and (ii) the petition, papers, or certificate must be accompanied by the candidate’s affidavit stating the candidate’s previous names during the period specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those names was changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds for denying certification of the candidate’s name for the ballot or removing the candidate’s name from the ballot, as appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent’s or parents’ surname, marriage to assume a spouse’s surname, or dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of marriage to assume a former surname. No other designation such as a political slogan, title, or degree, or nickname suggesting or implying possession of a title, degree or professional status, or similar information may be used in connection with the candidate’s surname. For purposes of this Section, a “political slogan” is defined as any word or words expressing or connoting a position, opinion, or belief that the candidate may espouse, including but not limited to, any word or words conveying any meaning other than that of the personal identity of the candidate. A candidate may not use a political slogan as part of his or her name on the ballot, notwithstanding that the political slogan may be part of the candidate’s name.

(c) The State Board of Elections, a local election official, or an election authority shall remove any candidate’s name designation from a ballot that is inconsistent with subsection (b) of this Section. In addition, the State Board of Elections, a local election official, or an election authority shall not certify to any election authority any candidate name designation that is inconsistent with subsection (b) of this Section.
(d) If the State Board of Elections, a local election official, or an election authority removes a candidate’s name designation from a ballot under subsection (c) of this Section, then the aggrieved candidate may seek appropriate relief in circuit court.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-18)
Sec. 7-18. The primary ballot of each political party shall be separately printed upon paper of uniform quality, texture and size, but the primary ballot of no two political parties shall be of the same color or tint.
The election authority shall, at least 15 days prior to the date of the primary, post in a conspicuous place in his office an announcement of the color of the primary ballots of the respective parties, and, in the case of the general primary, shall also publish such announcement for at least 1 week in at least 2 newspapers of general circulation published in the county. In the case of the consolidated primary, the election authority shall publish such announcement at the same time and in the manner provided for notice of the consolidated primary in Section 7-15 of this Article.
(Source: P.A. 81-963.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-19) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-19)
Sec. 7-19. The primary ballot of each political party for each precinct shall be arranged and printed substantially in the manner following:

1. Designating words. At the top of the ballot shall be printed in large capital letters, words designating the ballot, if a Republican ballot, the designating words shall be: “REPUBLICAN PRIMARY BALLOT”; if a Democratic ballot the designating words shall be: “DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BALLOT”; and in like manner for each political party.

2. Order of Names, Directions to Voters, etc. Beginning not less than one inch below designating words, the name of each office to be filled shall be printed in capital letters. Such names may be printed on the ballot either in a single column or in 2 or more columns and in the following order, to-wit:
President of the United States, State offices, congressional offices, delegates and alternate delegates to be elected from the State at large to National nominating conventions, delegates and alternate delegates to be elected from congressional districts to National nominating conventions, member or members of the State central committee, trustees of sanitary districts, county offices, judicial officers, city, village and incorporated town offices, town offices, or of such of the said offices as candidates are to be nominated for at such primary, and precinct, township or ward committeepersons. If two or more columns are used, the foregoing offices to and including member of the State central committee shall be listed in the left-hand column and Senatorial offices, as defined in Section 8-3, shall be the first offices listed in the second column.
Below the name of each office shall be printed in small letters the directions to voters: “Vote for one”; “Vote for not more than two”; “Vote for not more than three”. If no candidate or candidates file for an office and if no person or persons file a declaration as a write-in candidate for that office, then below the title of that office the election authority instead shall print “No Candidate”.
Next to the name of each candidate for delegate or alternate delegate to a national nominating convention shall appear either (a) the name of the candidate’s preference for President of the United States or the word “uncommitted” or (b) no official designation, depending upon the action taken by the State central committee pursuant to Section 7-10.3 of this Act.
Below the name of each office shall be printed in capital letters the names of all candidates, arranged in the order in which their petitions for nominations were filed, except as otherwise provided in Sections 7-14 and 7-17 of this Article. Opposite and in front of the name of each candidate shall be printed a square and all squares upon the primary ballot shall be of uniform size. The names of each team of candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, however, shall be printed within a bracket, and a single square shall be printed in front of the bracket. Spaces between the names of candidates under each office shall be uniform and sufficient spaces shall separate the names of candidates for one office from the names of candidates for another office, to avoid confusion and to permit the writing in of the names of other candidates.
Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this Section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-20) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-20)
Sec. 7-20. On the back or outside of the primary ballot of each precinct, so as to appear when folded, shall be printed the words “Primary Ballot,” followed by designation of said precinct, the date of the primary and a facsimile of the signature of the election authority who furnished the ballots.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-21) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-21)
Sec. 7-21. The election authority shall transmit or cause to be delivered to the primary judges, and to the respective local election officials prior to the consolidated primary, specimen ballots of each political party, substantially in the form of the official primary ballots, to be used at such primary, which specimen ballot shall be printed upon paper of a different texture and color from the official primary ballot. In units of local government having fewer than 500,000 inhabitants the election authority shall have published in two or more newspapers published in the county, municipality or town, as the case may be, or if there is no such newspaper, then in any two or more newspapers published in the county and having general circulation throughout the community, at least 5 days prior to the general primary, a true copy of the specimen ballot, and the primary judges shall post one of each such specimen ballots at the polling place. In counties, municipalities or towns having 500,000 or more inhabitants the primary judges shall post not less than 5 of each such specimen ballots in the precinct, and one of each such specimen ballots at the polling place. For the consolidated primary, the local election official shall have the duty to make such publication with respect to the ballots for his unit of local government, and may make his publication as part of the announcement heretofore required.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-22) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-22)
Sec. 7-22. Primary ballot boxes shall be furnished by the same authorities and in the same manner and shall be of the same style and description as ballot boxes furnished for the purpose of general elections, under the provisions of this Act.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-23)
Sec. 7-23. All necessary primary poll books, official poll records, tally sheets, return blanks, stationery and other necessary primary supplies shall be furnished by the same authorities upon whom is imposed the duty of furnishing such supplies at general elections, by this Act.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-24) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-24)
Sec. 7-24. The primary poll books shall be substantially in the following form:
Primary poll books of the primary held in the …. precinct of the county of …. on (insert date).
Party Affiliation
.

Residence Repub- Demo- Prohibi- Social-

Street and lican crat tionist ist
Name of Voter number
.
1 John Jones x
2 Richard Smith x
3 John Doe x
4 Richard Roe x
5 Charles Lee x
……………………………………………………..
This is to certify that the above and foregoing is a correct list of primary voters at a primary held on (insert date) in the …. precinct, in …. county, and State of Illinois. That at the primary the undersigned judges served as required by law and are entitled to pay therefor.
Dated (insert date).
………………………. ……………………….
………………………. ……………………….
………………………. ……………………….
Judges of primary
The primary poll books shall otherwise be in form and shall contain the same certificates as nearly as may be as the poll books used in the general election and shall be signed and attested in the same manner, as nearly as may be, as the poll books used for the purpose of general elections. If Article 4, 5 or 6 of this Act applies to any such primary the official poll record provided for in such applicable Article shall be used in lieu of poll books.
(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-25) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-25)
Sec. 7-25. The tally sheets for each political party participating in the primary election shall be substantially in the following form:
“Tally sheet for ….(name of political party) for the …. precinct, in the county of …. for a primary held on the …. day of …. A.D. …..”
The names of candidates for nomination and for State central committeepersons, township, and precinct and ward committeepersons, and delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions, shall be placed on the tally sheets of each political party by the primary judges, in the order in which they appear on the ballot.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-26) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-26)
Sec. 7-26. The judges of general elections for state and county officers are hereby constituted the judges of primary elections in their respective precincts, under the provisions of this Article.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-27) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-27)
Sec. 7-27. It is hereby made the duty of the respective judges of general elections to act as judges of primary elections in their respective precincts until their successors, as judges of general elections, are duly appointed and qualified.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-28) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-28)
Sec. 7-28. If, at the time for opening of a primary, one of the primary judges be absent, or refuse to act, the judges present shall appoint some qualified primary elector of the precinct to act in his place. If two of the primary judges be absent or refuse to act, the judge present shall fill the vacancies in the same manner, as above provided. If all of the primary judges be absent, or refuse to act, the primary electors present, who reside in the precinct, shall select the appropriate number of themselves to act as primary judges. The judges so selected and appointed shall take the same oath, have the same powers, and perform the same duties and be subject to the same penalties as regularly constituted election judges.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-30) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-30)
Sec. 7-30. Previous to any vote being taken, the primary judges shall severally subscribe and take an oath or affirmation in the following form, to-wit:
“I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of primary judge, according to the best of my ability, and that I have resided in this State for 30 days, (and only in the case of a primary judge in counties of less than 500,000 inhabitants, have resided in this precinct for the 30 days next preceding this primary), (and in the case of a registered voter, am entitled to vote at this primary).”
All persons subscribing the oath and all persons actually serving as primary judges, whether sworn or not, shall be deemed to be and are hereby declared to be officers of the circuit court of their respective counties.
(Source: P.A. 91-352, eff. 1-1-00; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-31) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-31)
Sec. 7-31. In case there is no notary public present at the opening of a primary, or in case such notary public is appointed one of the primary judges, the primary judges may administer the oath or affirmation to each other.
(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1135.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-32) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-32)
Sec. 7-32. The primary judges, except as otherwise provided in this article, shall perform the same duties, have the same powers, and be subject to the same penalties as judges of general elections under this Act.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-33) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-33)
Sec. 7-33. Primary judges shall receive the same pay, and shall be paid by the same authorities and in the same manner as judges of general elections under this Act.
(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-34) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-34)
Sec. 7-34. Pollwatchers in a primary election shall be authorized in the following manner:
(1) Each established political party shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. Such pollwatchers must be affiliated with the political party for which they are pollwatching and must be a registered voter in Illinois.

(2) Each candidate shall be entitled to appoint two pollwatchers per precinct. For Federal, State, county, township, and municipal primary elections, the pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(3) Each organization of citizens within the county or political subdivision, which has among its purposes or interests the investigation or prosecution of election frauds, and which shall have registered its name and address and the names and addresses of its principal officers with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the primary election, shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. For all primary elections, the pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(3.5) Each State nonpartisan civic organization within the county or political subdivision shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct, provided that no more than 2 pollwatchers appointed by State nonpartisan civic organizations shall be present in a precinct polling place at the same time. Each organization shall have registered the names and addresses of its principal officers with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the primary election. The pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois. For the purpose of this paragraph, a “State nonpartisan civic organization” means any corporation, unincorporated association, or organization that:

(i) as part of its written articles of incorporation, bylaws, or charter or by separate written declaration, has among its stated purposes the provision of voter information and education, the protection of individual voters’ rights, and the promotion of free and equal elections;

(ii) is organized or primarily conducts its activities within the State of Illinois; and

(iii) continuously maintains an office or business location within the State of Illinois, together with a current listed telephone number (a post office box number without a current listed telephone number is not sufficient).

(4) Each organized group of proponents or opponents of a ballot proposition, which shall have registered the name and address of its organization or committee and the name and address of its chair with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the primary election, shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. The pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(5) In any primary election held to nominate candidates for the offices of a municipality of less than 3,000,000 population that is situated in 2 or more counties, a pollwatcher who is a resident of a county in which any part of the municipality is situated shall be eligible to serve as a pollwatcher in any polling place located within such municipality, provided that such pollwatcher otherwise complies with the respective requirements of subsections (1) through (4) of this Section and is a registered voter whose residence is within Illinois.
All pollwatchers shall be required to have proper credentials. Such credentials shall be printed in sufficient quantities, shall be issued by and under the facsimile signature(s) of the election authority and shall be available for distribution at least 2 weeks prior to the election. Such credentials shall be authorized by the real or facsimile signature of the State or local party official or the candidate or the presiding officer of the civic organization or the chair of the proponent or opponent group, as the case may be.
Pollwatcher credentials shall be in substantially the following form:

POLLWATCHER CREDENTIALS
TO THE JUDGES OF ELECTION:
In accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, the undersigned hereby appoints ……….. (name of pollwatcher) at ………. (address) in the county of ……….., ………. (township or municipality) of ……….. (name), State of Illinois and who is duly registered to vote from this address, to act as a pollwatcher in the ……….. precinct of the ………. ward (if applicable) of the ……….. (township or municipality) of ……….. at the ……….. election to be held on (insert date).
…………………… (Signature of Appointing Authority)
…………………… TITLE (party official, candidate,
civic organization president,
proponent or opponent group chair)
Under penalties provided by law pursuant to Section 29-10 of the Election Code, the undersigned pollwatcher certifies that he or she resides at ………….. (address) in the county of ………, ……… (township or municipality) of ………. (name), State of Illinois, and is duly registered to vote in Illinois.
……………………… ……………………..
(Precinct and/or Ward in (Signature of Pollwatcher)
Which Pollwatcher Resides)

Pollwatchers must present their credentials to the Judges of Election upon entering the polling place. Pollwatcher credentials properly executed and signed shall be proof of the qualifications of the pollwatcher authorized thereby. Such credentials are retained by the Judges and returned to the Election Authority at the end of the day of election with the other election materials. Once a pollwatcher has surrendered a valid credential, he may leave and reenter the polling place provided that such continuing action does not disrupt the conduct of the election. Pollwatchers may be substituted during the course of the day, but established political parties, candidates, qualified civic organizations and proponents and opponents of a ballot proposition can have only as many pollwatchers at any given time as are authorized in this Article. A substitute must present his signed credential to the judges of election upon entering the polling place. Election authorities must provide a sufficient number of credentials to allow for substitution of pollwatchers. After the polls have closed, pollwatchers shall be allowed to remain until the canvass of votes is completed; but may leave and reenter only in cases of necessity, provided that such action is not so continuous as to disrupt the canvass of votes.
Candidates seeking office in a district or municipality encompassing 2 or more counties shall be admitted to any and all polling places throughout such district or municipality without regard to the counties in which such candidates are registered to vote. Actions of such candidates shall be governed in each polling place by the same privileges and limitations that apply to pollwatchers as provided in this Section. Any such candidate who engages in an activity in a polling place which could reasonably be construed by a majority of the judges of election as campaign activity shall be removed forthwith from such polling place.
Candidates seeking office in a district or municipality encompassing 2 or more counties who desire to be admitted to polling places on election day in such district or municipality shall be required to have proper credentials. Such credentials shall be printed in sufficient quantities, shall be issued by and under the facsimile signature of the election authority of the election jurisdiction where the polling place in which the candidate seeks admittance is located, and shall be available for distribution at least 2 weeks prior to the election. Such credentials shall be signed by the candidate.
Candidate credentials shall be in substantially the following form:

CANDIDATE CREDENTIALS
TO THE JUDGES OF ELECTION:
In accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, I …… (name of candidate) hereby certify that I am a candidate for ……. (name of office) and seek admittance to ……. precinct of the ……. ward (if applicable) of the ……. (township or municipality) of ……. at the ……. election to be held on (insert date).
……………………. …………………..
(Signature of Candidate) OFFICE FOR WHICH
CANDIDATE SEEKS
NOMINATION OR
ELECTION

Pollwatchers shall be permitted to observe all proceedings and view all reasonably requested records relating to the conduct of the election, provided the secrecy of the ballot is not impinged, and to station themselves in a position in the voting room as will enable them to observe the judges making the signature comparison between the voter application and the voter registration record card; provided, however, that such pollwatchers shall not be permitted to station themselves in such close proximity to the judges of election so as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election and shall not, in any event, be permitted to handle election materials. Pollwatchers may challenge for cause the voting qualifications of a person offering to vote and may call to the attention of the judges of election any incorrect procedure or apparent violations of this Code.
If a majority of the judges of election determine that the polling place has become too overcrowded with pollwatchers so as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election, the judges shall, by lot, limit such pollwatchers to a reasonable number, except that each candidate and each established or new political party shall be permitted to have at least one pollwatcher present.
Representatives of an election authority, with regard to an election under its jurisdiction, the State Board of Elections, and law enforcement agencies, including but not limited to a United States Attorney, a State’s attorney, the Attorney General, and a State, county, or local police department, in the performance of their official election duties, shall be permitted at all times to enter and remain in the polling place. Upon entering the polling place, such representatives shall display their official credentials or other identification to the judges of election.
Uniformed police officers assigned to polling place duty shall follow all lawful instructions of the judges of election.
The provisions of this Section shall also apply to supervised casting of vote by mail ballots as provided in Section 19-12.2 of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-35) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-35)
Sec. 7-35. The election authority shall cause to be delivered to the primary judges of each precinct not less than 12 hours before the time fixed for the opening of the polls, the official primary ballot of each political party, and the number thereof for each political party in each precinct shall be 100 for each 50 votes cast in said precinct by said political party at the last preceding general primary election.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-36) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-36)
Sec. 7-36. The official primary ballots shall be put in separate sealed packages with marks on the outside thereof clearly designating the precinct for which they are intended, and the number of ballots enclosed for each political party and a receipt therefor shall be given by the primary judge to whom such ballots are delivered, which receipt shall be filed by the proper election authority in his office.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-37) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-37)
Sec. 7-37. The election authority shall provide and retain in his office until after the primary, an ample supply of extra primary ballots for each political party in each precinct, and if, at any time before or during the primary, ballots of any precinct shall be lost, destroyed or exhausted, on written application, signed by the primary judges of said precinct, or any of them, he shall immediately cause to be delivered to said primary judges such supply of extra ballots as may be required to comply with the provision of this article.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-38) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-38)
Sec. 7-38. The primaries herein provided for shall be held at the regular polling places now established, or which may hereafter be established, for the purposes of a general election.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-39) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-39)
Sec. 7-39. Upon the opening of the polls one of the primary judges shall make proclamation of the same. And at least thirty (30) minutes before the closing of the polls proclamation shall be made in like manner that the polls will be closed in half an hour.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-40) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-40)
Sec. 7-40. (a) Before voting begins, the ballot box shall be emptied and shall be opened and shown to those present to be empty, after which it shall be locked and the key delivered to one of the primary judges, and such ballot box shall not be removed from public view from the time it is shown to be empty until after the close of the polls. This paragraph (a) applies whenever permanent type ballot boxes are used, and does not apply when ballot boxes are used in accordance with paragraph (b) of this Section.

(b) The election authority charged with providing ballot boxes for the conduct of an election under this Article may provide non-permanent type ballot boxes as authorized under Section 15-1, paragraph (b), and Section 15-4, paragraph (b). When such ballot boxes are used, prior to the commencement of voting and before any ballots are deposited therein, the judges shall examine each such sealed ballot box, show it to those present and insure that it is in fact sealed and empty; the sealed slot shall be broken open before those present and the box inspected to insure that it is empty and such ballot box shall not be removed from public view from the time it is so inspected until after the close of the polls. The sealed opening on the side of the box shall not be unsealed or opened until after the close of the polls.
(Source: P.A. 77-6.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-41) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-41)
Sec. 7-41. (a) All officers upon whom is imposed by law the duty of designating and providing polling places for general elections, shall provide in each such polling place so designated and provided, a sufficient number of booths for such primary election, which booths shall be provided with shelves, such supplies and pencils as will enable the voter to prepare his ballot for voting and in which voters may prepare their ballots screened from all observation as to the manner in which they do so. Such booths shall be within plain view of the election officers and both they and the ballot boxes shall be within plain view of those within the proximity of the voting booths. No person other than election officers and the challengers allowed by law and those admitted for the purpose of voting, as hereinafter provided, shall be permitted within the proximity of the voting booths, except by authority of the primary officers to keep order and enforce the law.

(b) The number of such voting booths shall not be less than one to every seventy-five voters or fraction thereof, who voted at the last preceding election in the precinct or election district.

(c) No person shall do any electioneering or soliciting of votes on primary day within any polling place or within one hundred feet of any polling place, or, at the option of a church or private school, on any of the property of that church or private school that is a polling place. Election officers shall place 2 or more cones, small United States national flags, or some other marker a distance of 100 horizontal feet from each entrance to the room used by voters to engage in voting, which shall be known as the polling room. If the polling room is located within a building that is a private business, a public or private school, or a church or other organization founded for the purpose of religious worship and the distance of 100 horizontal feet ends within the interior of the building, then the markers shall be placed outside of the building at each entrance used by voters to enter that building on the grounds adjacent to the thoroughfare or walkway. If the polling room is located within a public or private building with 2 or more floors and the polling room is located on the ground floor, then the markers shall be placed 100 horizontal feet from each entrance to the polling room used by voters to engage in voting. If the polling room is located in a public or private building with 2 or more floors and the polling room is located on a floor above or below the ground floor, then the markers shall be placed a distance of 100 feet from the nearest elevator or staircase used by voters on the ground floor to access the floor where the polling room is located. The area within where the markers are placed shall be known as a campaign free zone, and electioneering is prohibited pursuant to this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, a church or private school may choose to apply the campaign free zone to its entire property, and, if so, the markers shall be placed near the boundaries on the grounds adjacent to the thoroughfares or walkways leading to the entrances used by the voters. At or near the door of each polling place, the election judges shall place signage indicating the proper entrance to the polling place. In addition, the election judges shall ensure that a sign identifying the location of the polling place is placed on a nearby public roadway. The State Board of Elections shall establish guidelines for the placement of polling place signage.
The area on polling place property beyond the campaign free zone, whether publicly or privately owned, is a public forum for the time that the polls are open on an election day. At the request of election officers any publicly owned building must be made available for use as a polling place. A person shall have the right to congregate and engage in electioneering on any polling place property while the polls are open beyond the campaign free zone, including but not limited to, the placement of temporary signs. This subsection shall be construed liberally in favor of persons engaging in electioneering on all polling place property beyond the campaign free zone for the time that the polls are open on an election day.

(d) The regulation of electioneering on polling place property on an election day, including but not limited to the placement of temporary signs, is an exclusive power and function of the State. A home rule unit may not regulate electioneering and any ordinance or local law contrary to subsection (c) is declared void. This is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.
(Source: P.A. 95-699, eff. 11-9-07.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-42) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-42)
Sec. 7-42. (a) Any person entitled to vote at such primary shall, on the day of such primary, with the consent of his employer be entitled to absent himself from any service or employment in which he is then engaged or employed for a period of two hours between the time of opening and closing the polls. The employer may specify the hours during which said employe may absent himself.

(b) Beginning the 15th day before the primary election or on the day of the primary election, any student entitled to vote at such primary shall be entitled to be absent from school for a period of 2 hours during the school day in order to vote. The school may specify the hours during which the eligible student may be absent. A student who is absent from school under this subsection (b) is not considered absent for the purpose of calculating enrollment under Section 18-8.15 of the School Code.
(Source: P.A. 101-624, eff. 6-1-20.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-43) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-43)
Sec. 7-43. Every person having resided in this State 6 months and in the precinct 30 days next preceding any primary therein who shall be a citizen of the United States of the age of 18 or more years shall be entitled to vote at such primary.
The following regulations shall be applicable to primaries:
No person shall be entitled to vote at a primary:

(a) Unless he declares his party affiliations as required by this Article.

(b) (Blank).

(c) (Blank).

(c.5) If that person has participated in the town political party caucus, under Section 45-50 of the Township Code, of another political party by signing an affidavit of voters attending the caucus within 45 days before the first day of the calendar month in which the primary is held.

(d) (Blank).
In cities, villages and incorporated towns having a board of election commissioners only voters registered as provided by Article 6 of this Act shall be entitled to vote at such primary.

No person shall be entitled to vote at a primary unless he is registered under the provisions of Articles 4, 5 or 6 of this Act, when his registration is required by any of said Articles to entitle him to vote at the election with reference to which the primary is held.
A person (i) who filed a statement of candidacy for a partisan office as a qualified primary voter of an established political party or (ii) who voted the ballot of an established political party at a general primary election may not file a statement of candidacy as a candidate of a different established political party or as an independent candidate for a partisan office to be filled at the general election immediately following the general primary for which the person filed the statement or voted the ballot. A person may file a statement of candidacy for a partisan office as a qualified primary voter of an established political party regardless of any prior filing of candidacy for a partisan office or voting the ballot of an established political party at any prior election.
(Source: P.A. 97-681, eff. 3-30-12; 98-463, eff. 8-16-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-44) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-44)
Sec. 7-44. Any person desiring to vote at a primary shall state his name, residence and party affiliation to the primary judges, one of whom shall thereupon announce the same in a distinct tone of voice, sufficiently loud to be heard by all persons in the polling place. When article 4, 5 or 6 is applicable the Certificate of Registered Voter therein prescribed shall be made and signed and the official poll record shall be made. If the person desiring to vote is not challenged, one of the primary judges shall give to him one, and only one, primary ballot of the political party with which he declares himself affiliated, on the back of which such primary judge shall endorse his initials in such manner that they may be seen when the primary ballot is properly folded. If the person desiring to vote is challenged he shall not receive a primary ballot from the primary judges until he shall have established his right to vote as hereinafter provided. No person who refuses to state his party affiliation shall be allowed to vote at a primary.
A person who declares his party affiliation with a statewide established political party and requests a primary ballot of such party may nonetheless also declare his affiliation with a political party established only within a political subdivision, and may also vote in the primary of such local party on the same election day, provided that such voter may not vote in both such party primaries with respect to offices of the same political subdivision. However, no person declaring his affiliation with a statewide established political party may vote in the primary of any other statewide political party on the same election day.
(Source: P.A. 81-1535.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-45) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-45)
Sec. 7-45. Whenever a person offering to vote at a primary is challenged, and is not personally known to the judges of election to have the qualifications required in this Article to vote, the person so challenged shall make and subscribe an affidavit in the following form, which shall be presented to and retained by the primary judges and returned by them affixed to the primary poll book or with the official poll record:
State of Illinois)
)ss.
County of …….)
I, …., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years or over, and am qualified to vote under and by virtue of the Constitution and laws of the State of Illinois, and am a legally qualified voter of the precinct; that I now reside at ….(insert street and number, if any) in this precinct, and am a member of and affiliated with the …. party; that I have not voted at a primary of another political party within a period of 23 calendar months prior to the calendar month in which this primary is being held; and that I voted at the …. city, village, incorporated town, or town primary, with the …. political party at the …. election held in …., …. which the …. political party was entitled at such primary to make nominations of candidates for city, village, incorporated town or town offices only, and for no other offices, and that the name or names of no candidate or candidates of the …. political party (the political party with which the primary elector declares himself affiliated) were, at such city, village, incorporated town or town primary, printed on the primary ballot; that I have not signed the petition for nomination of a candidate of a political party with which I am not affiliated, and that I have not signed the nominating papers of an independent candidate for any office for which office candidates for nomination are voted for at this primary.
…………………….
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this …. day of …., ….
…………………….
Judge of Primary
In addition to such affidavit the person so challenged shall provide to the judges of election proof of residence by producing two forms of identification showing the person’s current residence address, provided that such identification may include not more than one piece of mail addressed to the person at his current residence address and postmarked not earlier than 30 days prior to the date of the primary election, or the person shall produce the affidavit of one voter of the precinct, who shall be a qualified voter at such primary, and who shall be personally known or proved to the judges to be a voter in the precinct, which affidavit shall be in the following form:
State of Illinois)
)ss.
County of……..)
I,…., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am a voter of this precinct and entitled to vote at this primary; that I am acquainted with ….(name of the party challenged), whose right to vote at this primary has been challenged; that I know him or her to be an actual bona fide resident of this precinct, and that he has resided herein 30 days, and I verily believe he or she has resided in this State 30 days next preceding this primary; that I verily believe he or she is a member of and affiliated with the …. party.
…………………….
Subscribed and sworn to before me, this …. day of …., ….
…………………….
Judge of Primary
(Source: P.A. 86-867.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-46) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-46)
Sec. 7-46. On receiving from the primary judges a primary ballot of his party, the primary elector shall forthwith and without leaving the polling place, retire alone to one of the voting booths and prepare such primary ballot by marking a cross (X) in the square in front of and opposite the name of each candidate of his choice for each office to be filled, and for delegates and alternate delegates to national nominating conventions, and for committeepersons, if committeepersons are being elected at such primary. A cross (X) in the square in front of the bracket enclosing the names of a team of candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor counts as one vote for each of those candidates.
Any primary elector may, instead of voting for any candidate for nomination or for committeeperson or for delegate or alternate delegate to national nominating conventions, whose name is printed on the primary ballot, write in the name of any other person affiliated with such party as a candidate for the nomination for any office, or for committeeperson, or for delegates or alternate delegates to national nominating conventions, and indicate his choice of such candidate or committeeperson or delegate or alternate delegate, by placing to the left of and opposite the name thus written a square and placing in the square a cross (X). A primary elector, however, may not by this method vote separately for Governor and Lieutenant Governor but must write in the names of candidates of his or her choice for both offices and indicate his or her choice of those names by placing a single square to the left of those names and placing in that square a cross (X).
Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-47) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-47)
Sec. 7-47. Before leaving the booth, the primary elector shall fold his primary ballot in such manner as to conceal the marks thereon. Such voter shall then vote forthwith by handing the primary judge the primary ballot received by such voter. Thereupon the primary judge shall deposit such primary ballot in the ballot box. One of the judges shall thereupon enter in the primary poll book the name of the primary elector, his residence and his party affiliation or shall make the entries on the official poll record as required by articles 4, 5 and 6, if any one of them is applicable.
Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 2220.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-47.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-47.1)
Sec. 7-47.1. (a) In the case of an emergency, as determined by the State Board of Elections, or if the Board determines that all potential polling places have been surveyed by the election authority and that no accessible polling place, as defined by rule of the State Board of Elections, is available within a precinct nor is the election authority able to make a polling place within the precinct temporarily accessible, the Board, upon written application by the election authority, is authorized to grant an exemption from the accessibility requirements of the Federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (Public Law 98-435). Such exemption shall be valid for a period of 2 years.

(b) Any temporarily or permanently physically disabled voter who, because of structural features of the building in which the polling place is located, is unable to access or enter the polling place, may request that 2 judges of election of opposite party affiliation deliver a ballot to him or her at the point where he or she is unable to continue forward motion toward the polling place; but, in no case, shall a ballot be delivered to the voter beyond 50 feet of the entrance to the building in which the polling place is located. Such request shall be made to the election authority not later than the close of business at the election authority’s office on the day before the election and on a form prescribed by the State Board of Elections. The election authority shall notify the judges of election for the appropriate precinct polling places of such requests.
Weather permitting, 2 judges of election shall deliver to the disabled voter the ballot which he or she is entitled to vote, a portable voting booth or other enclosure that will allow such voter to mark his or her ballot in secrecy, and a marking device.

(c) The voter must complete the entire voting process, including the application for ballot from which the judges of election shall compare the voter’s signature with the signature on his or her registration record card in the precinct binder.
After the voter has marked his or her ballot and placed it in the ballot envelope (or folded it in the manner prescribed for paper ballots), the 2 judges of election shall return the ballot to the polling place and give it to the judge in charge of the ballot box who shall deposit it therein.
Pollwatchers as provided in Sections 7-34 and 17-23 of this Code shall be permitted to accompany the judges and observe the above procedure.
No assistance may be given to such voter in marking his or her ballot, unless the voter requests assistance and completes the affidavit required by Section 17-14 of this Code.
(Source: P.A. 84-808.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-48) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-48)
Sec. 7-48. Any primary elector who may declare upon oath, properly witnessed and with his or her signature or mark affixed, that he or she requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, physical disability or inability to read, write or speak the English language, shall, upon request, be assisted in marking his or her primary ballot in the same manner as provided by this Act for general elections.
(Source: P.A. 84-808.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-49) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-49)
Sec. 7-49. After the opening of the polls at a primary no adjournment shall be had nor recess taken until the canvass of all the votes is completed and the returns carefully enveloped and sealed.
Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.
(Source: Laws 1965, p. 2220.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-50) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-50)
Sec. 7-50. The votes shall be canvassed in the room or place where the primary is held and the primary judges shall not allow the ballot box or any of the ballots, or the primary poll book, or any of the tally sheets to be removed or carried away from such room or polling place until the canvass of the votes is completed and the returns carefully enveloped and sealed.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-51) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-51)
Sec. 7-51. If the primary elector marks more names upon the primary ballot than there are persons to be nominated as candidates for an office, or for State central committeepersons, or precinct committeepersons, or township committeepersons, or ward committeepersons, or delegates or alternate delegates to National nominating conventions, or if for any reason it is impossible to determine the primary elector’s choice of a candidate for the nomination for an office, or committeeperson, or delegate, his primary ballot shall not be counted for the nomination for such office or committeeperson.
No primary ballot, without the endorsement of the judge’s initials thereon, shall be counted.
No judge shall omit to endorse his initials on a primary ballot, as required by this Article, nor shall any person not authorized so to do initial a primary ballot knowing that he is not so authorized.
Primary ballots not counted shall be marked “defective” on the back thereof; and primary ballots to which objections have been made by either of the primary judges or challengers shall be marked “objected to” on the back thereof; and a memorandum, signed by the primary judges, stating how it was counted, shall be written on the back of each primary ballot so marked; and all primary ballots marked “defective” or “objected to” shall be enclosed in an envelope and securely sealed, and so marked and endorsed as to clearly disclose its contents. The envelope to be used for enclosing ballots marked “defective” or “objected to” shall bear upon its face, in not less than 1 1/2 inch type, the legend: “This envelope is for use after 6:00 P.M. only.” The envelope to be used for enclosing ballots spoiled by voters while attempting to vote shall bear upon its face, in not less than 1 1/2 inch type, the legend: “This envelope is for use before 6:00 P.M. only.”
All primary ballots not voted, and all that have been spoiled by voters while attempting to vote, shall be returned to the proper election authority by the primary judges, and a receipt taken therefor, and shall be preserved 2 months. Such official shall keep a record of the number of primary ballots delivered for each polling place, and he or they shall also enter upon such record the number and character of primary ballots returned, with the time when and the persons by whom they are returned.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-52) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-52)
Sec. 7-52. Immediately upon closing the polls, the primary judges shall proceed to canvass the votes in the manner following:

(1) They shall separate and count the ballots of each political party.

(2) They shall then proceed to ascertain the number of names entered on the applications for ballot under each party affiliation.

(3) If the primary ballots of any political party exceed the number of applications for ballot by voters of such political party, the primary ballots of such political party shall be folded and replaced in the ballot box, the box closed, well shaken and again opened and one of the primary judges, who shall be blindfolded, shall draw out so many of the primary ballots of such political party as shall be equal to such excess. Such excess ballots shall be marked “Excess-Not Counted” and signed by a majority of the judges and shall be placed in the “After 6:00 p.m. Defective Ballots Envelope”. The number of excess ballots shall be noted in the remarks section of the Certificate of Results. “Excess” ballots shall not be counted in the total of “defective” ballots.

(4) The primary judges shall then proceed to count the primary ballots of each political party separately; and as the primary judges shall open and read the primary ballots, 3 of the judges shall carefully and correctly mark upon separate tally sheets the votes which each candidate of the party whose name is written or printed on the primary ballot has received, in a separate column for that purpose, with the name of such candidate, the name of his political party and the name of the office for which he is a candidate for nomination at the head of such column. The same column, however, shall be used for both names of the same team of candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.
Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this Section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.
(Source: P.A. 96-1018, eff. 1-1-11; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-53) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-53)
Sec. 7-53. As soon as the ballots of a political party shall have been read and the votes of the political party counted, as provided in the last above section, the 3 judges in charge of the tally sheets shall foot up the tally sheets so as to show the total number of votes cast for each candidate of the political party and for each candidate for State Central committeeperson and precinct committeeperson, township committeeperson or ward committeeperson, and delegate and alternate delegate to National nominating conventions, and certify the same to be correct. Thereupon, the primary judges shall set down in a certificate of results on the tally sheet, under the name of the political party, the name of each candidate voted for upon the primary ballot, written at full length, the name of the office for which he is a candidate for nomination or for committeeperson, or delegate or alternate delegate to National nominating conventions, the total number of votes which the candidate received, and they shall also set down the total number of ballots voted by the primary electors of the political party in the precinct. The certificate of results shall be made substantially in the following form:
……………. Party
At the primary election held in the …. precinct of the (1) *township of …., or (2) *City of …., or (3) *…. ward in the city of …. on (insert date), the primary electors of the …. party voted …. ballots, and the respective candidates whose names were written or printed on the primary ballot of the …. party, received respectively the following votes:
Name of No. of
Candidate, Title of Office, Votes
John Jones Governor 100
Jane James Lieutenant Governor 100
Sam Smith Governor 70
Samantha Smythe Lieutenant Governor 70
Frank Martin Attorney General 150
William Preston Rep. in Congress 200
Frederick John Circuit Judge 50
*Fill in either (1), (2) or (3).
And so on for each candidate.
We hereby certify the above and foregoing to be true and correct.
Dated (insert date).
……………………………..
Name

Address
……………………………..
Name

Address
……………………………..
Name

Address
……………………………..
Name

Address
……………………………..
Name

Address
Judges of Primary

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this Section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 and Article 24A, whichever is applicable.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-54) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-54)
Sec. 7-54. After the votes of a political party have been counted and set down and the tally sheets footed and the entry made in the primary poll books or return, as above provided, all the primary ballots of said political party, except those marked “defective” or “objected to” shall be securely bound, lengthwise and in width, with a soft cord having a minimum tensile strength of 60 pounds separately for each political party in the order in which said primary ballots have been read, and shall thereupon be carefully sealed in an envelope, which envelope shall be endorsed as follows:
“Primary ballots of the…. party of the…. precinct of the county of…. and State of Illinois.”
Below each endorsement, each primary judge shall write his name.
Immediately thereafter the judges shall designate one of their number to go to the nearest telephone and report to the office of the county clerk or board of election commissioners (as the case may be) the results of such primary. Such clerk or board shall keep his or its office open after the close of the polls until he or it has received from each precinct under his or its jurisdiction the report above provided for. Immediately upon receiving such report such clerk or board shall cause the same to be posted in a public place in his or its office for inspection by the public. Immediately after making such report such judge shall return to the polling place.
Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.
(Source: P.A. 81-1433.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-55) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-55)
Sec. 7-55. The primary poll books or the official poll record, and the tally sheets with the certificates of the primary judges written thereon, together with the envelopes containing the ballots, including the envelope containing the ballots marked “defective” or “objected to”, shall be carefully enveloped and sealed up together, properly endorsed, and the primary judges shall elect 2 judges (one from each of the major political parties), who shall immediately deliver the same to the clerk from whom the primary ballots were obtained, which clerk shall safely keep the same for 2 months, and thereafter shall safely keep the poll books until the next primary. Each election authority shall keep the office of the election authority, or any receiving stations designated by such authority, open for at least 12 consecutive hours after the polls close, or until the judges of each precinct under the jurisdiction of the election authority have delivered to the election authority all the above materials sealed up together and properly endorsed as provided herein. Materials delivered to the election authority which are not in the condition required by this Section shall not be accepted by the election authority until the judges delivering the same make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the materials by the election authority, the judges delivering the same shall take a receipt signed by the election authority and stamped with the time and date of such delivery. The election judges whose duty it is to deliver any materials as above provided shall, in the event such materials cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.
The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall deliver a copy of each tally sheet to the county chairmen of the two largest political parties.
Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 and Article 24A, whichever is applicable.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-56) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-56)
Sec. 7-56. As soon as complete returns are delivered to the proper election authority, the returns shall be canvassed for all primary elections as follows. The election authority acting as the canvassing board pursuant to Section 1-8 of this Code shall also open and canvass the returns of a primary. Upon the completion of the canvass of the returns by the election authority, the election authority shall make a tabulated statement of the returns for each political party separately, stating in appropriate columns and under proper headings, the total number of votes cast in said county for each candidate for nomination or election by said party, including candidates for President of the United States and for State central committeepersons, and for delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions, and for precinct committeepersons, township committeepersons, and for ward committeepersons. Within 2 days after the completion of said canvass by the election authority, the county clerk shall mail to the State Board of Elections a certified copy of such tabulated statement of returns. The election authority shall also determine and set down as to each precinct the number of ballots voted by the primary electors of each party at the primary.
In the case of the nomination or election of candidates for offices, including President of the United States and the State central committeepersons, and delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions, certified tabulated statement of returns for which are filed with the State Board of Elections, said returns shall be canvassed by the election authority. And, provided, further, that within 5 days after said returns shall be canvassed by the said Board, the Board shall cause to be published in one daily newspaper of general circulation at the seat of the State government in Springfield a certified statement of the returns filed in its office, showing the total vote cast in the State for each candidate of each political party for President of the United States, and showing the total vote for each candidate of each political party for President of the United States, cast in each of the several congressional districts in the State.
Within 48 hours of conducting a canvass, as required by this Code, of the consolidated primary, the election authority shall deliver an original certificate of results to each local election official, with respect to whose political subdivisions nominations were made at such primary, for each precinct in his jurisdiction in which such nominations were on the ballot. Such original certificate of results need not include any offices or nominations for any other political subdivisions.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-56.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-56.1)
Sec. 7-56.1. The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall, upon request, and by mail if so requested, furnish free of charge to any candidate for State office, including State Senator and Representative in the General Assembly, whose name appeared upon the primary ballot within the jurisdiction of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, a copy of the abstract of votes by precinct for all candidates for the office for which such person was a candidate. Such abstract shall be furnished no later than 2 days after the receipt of the request or 8 days after the completing of the canvass, whichever is later.
(Source: P.A. 78-775.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-56.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-56.2)
Sec. 7-56.2. The provisions of this Article 7 governing the conduct of primaries for the nomination of officers of units of local government at the consolidated primary of odd numbered years, shall also govern the conduct of those municipal primaries held in even numbered years 6 weeks before the date of the general primary election pursuant to Article 2A of this Code. In applying the provisions of this Article to those even numbered year municipal elections, references to the “election” shall be construed to refer to the municipal election to be held on the day of the general primary, and references to the “consolidated primary” shall be construed to refer to the municipal primary of the even numbered year.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-57) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-57)
Sec. 7-57. The death of any candidate prior to, or on, the date of the primary shall not affect the canvass of the ballots. If the result of such canvass discloses that such candidate, if he had lived, would have been nominated, such candidate shall be declared nominated.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-58) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-58)
Sec. 7-58. Each county clerk or board of election commissioners shall, upon completion of the canvassing of the returns, make and transmit to the State Board of Elections and to each election authority whose duty it is to print the official ballot for the election for which the nomination is made a proclamation of the results of the primary. The proclamation shall state the name of each candidate of each political party so nominated or elected, as shown by the returns, together with the name of the office for which he or she was nominated or elected, including precinct, township and ward committeepersons, and including in the case of the State Board of Elections, candidates for State central committeepersons, and delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions. If a notice of contest is filed, the election authority shall, within one business day after receiving a certified copy of the court’s judgment or order, amend its proclamation accordingly and proceed to file an amended proclamation with the appropriate election authorities and with the State Board of Elections.
The State Board of Elections shall issue a certificate of election to each of the persons shown by the returns and the proclamation thereof to be elected State central committeepersons, and delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions; and the county clerk shall issue a certificate of election to each person shown by the returns to be elected precinct, township or ward committeeperson. The certificate issued to such precinct committeeperson shall state the number of ballots voted in his or her precinct by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary at which he or she was elected. The certificate issued to such township committeeperson shall state the number of ballots voted in his or her township or part of a township, as the case may be, by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary at which he or she was elected. The certificate issued to such ward committeeperson shall state the number of ballots voted in his or her ward by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary at which he or she was elected.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-59) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-59)
Sec. 7-59. (a) The person receiving the highest number of votes at a primary as a candidate of a party for the nomination for an office shall be the candidate of that party for such office, and his name as such candidate shall be placed on the official ballot at the election then next ensuing; provided, that where there are two or more persons to be nominated for the same office or board, the requisite number of persons receiving the highest number of votes shall be nominated and their names shall be placed on the official ballot at the following election.
Except as otherwise provided by Section 7-8 of this Act, the person receiving the highest number of votes of his party for State central committeeperson of his congressional district shall be declared elected State central committeeperson from said congressional district.
Unless a national political party specifies that delegates and alternate delegates to a National nominating convention be allocated by proportional selection representation according to the results of a Presidential preference primary, the requisite number of persons receiving the highest number of votes of their party for delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions from the State at large, and the requisite number of persons receiving the highest number of votes of their party for delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions in their respective congressional districts shall be declared elected delegates and alternate delegates to the National nominating conventions of their party.
A political party which elects the members to its State Central Committee by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of Section 7-8 shall select its congressional district delegates and alternate delegates to its national nominating convention by proportional selection representation according to the results of a Presidential preference primary in each congressional district in the manner provided by the rules of the national political party and the State Central Committee, when the rules and policies of the national political party so require.
A political party which elects the members to its State Central Committee by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of Section 7-8 shall select its at large delegates and alternate delegates to its national nominating convention by proportional selection representation according to the results of a Presidential preference primary in the whole State in the manner provided by the rules of the national political party and the State Central Committee, when the rules and policies of the national political party so require.
The person receiving the highest number of votes of his party for precinct committeeperson of his precinct shall be declared elected precinct committeeperson from said precinct.
The person receiving the highest number of votes of his party for township committeeperson of his township or part of a township as the case may be, shall be declared elected township committeeperson from said township or part of a township as the case may be. In cities where ward committeepersons are elected, the person receiving the highest number of votes of his party for ward committeeperson of his ward shall be declared elected ward committeeperson from said ward.
When two or more persons receive an equal and the highest number of votes for the nomination for the same office or for committeeperson of the same political party, or where more than one person of the same political party is to be nominated as a candidate for office or committeeperson, if it appears that more than the number of persons to be nominated for an office or elected committeeperson have the highest and an equal number of votes for the nomination for the same office or for election as committeeperson, the election authority by which the returns of the primary are canvassed shall decide by lot which of said persons shall be nominated or elected, as the case may be. In such case the election authority shall issue notice in writing to such persons of such tie vote stating therein the place, the day (which shall not be more than 5 days thereafter) and the hour when such nomination or election shall be so determined.

(b) Write-in votes shall be counted only for persons who have filed notarized declarations of intent to be write-in candidates with the proper election authority or authorities not later than 61 days prior to the primary. However, whenever an objection to a candidate’s nominating papers or petitions for any office is sustained under Section 10-10 after the 61st day before the election, then write-in votes shall be counted for that candidate if he or she has filed a notarized declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate for that office with the proper election authority or authorities not later than 7 days prior to the election.
Forms for the declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate shall be supplied by the election authorities. Such declaration shall specify the office for which the person seeks nomination or election as a write-in candidate.
The election authority or authorities shall deliver a list of all persons who have filed such declarations to the election judges in the appropriate precincts prior to the primary.

(c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, where the number of candidates whose names have been printed on a party’s ballot for nomination for or election to an office at a primary is less than the number of persons the party is entitled to nominate for or elect to the office at the primary, a person whose name was not printed on the party’s primary ballot as a candidate for nomination for or election to the office, is not nominated for or elected to that office as a result of a write-in vote at the primary unless the number of votes he received equals or exceeds the number of signatures required on a petition for nomination for that office; or unless the number of votes he receives exceeds the number of votes received by at least one of the candidates whose names were printed on the primary ballot for nomination for or election to the same office.

(2) Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply where the number of candidates whose names have been printed on the party’s ballot for nomination for or election to the office at the primary equals or exceeds the number of persons the party is entitled to nominate for or elect to the office at the primary.

(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-60) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-60)
Sec. 7-60. Not less than 74 days before the date of the general election, the State Board of Elections shall certify to the county clerks the names of each of the candidates who have been nominated as shown by the proclamation of the State Board of Elections as a canvassing board or who have been nominated to fill a vacancy in nomination and direct the election authority to place upon the official ballot for the general election the names of such candidates in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon the certification, except as otherwise provided in this Section.
Not less than 68 days before the date of the general election, each county clerk shall certify the names of each of the candidates for county offices who have been nominated as shown by the proclamation of the county election authority or who have been nominated to fill a vacancy in nomination and declare that the names of such candidates for the respective offices shall be placed upon the official ballot for the general election in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon the certification, except as otherwise provided by this Section. Each county clerk shall place a copy of the certification on file in his or her office and at the same time issue to the State Board of Elections a copy of such certification. In addition, each county clerk in whose county there is a board of election commissioners shall, not less than 68 days before the date of the general election, issue to such board a copy of the certification that has been filed in the county clerk’s office, together with a copy of the certification that has been issued to the clerk by the State Board of Elections, with directions to the board of election commissioners to place upon the official ballot for the general election in that election jurisdiction the names of all candidates that are listed on such certifications, in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon such certifications, except as otherwise provided in this Section.
Whenever there are two or more persons nominated by the same political party for multiple offices for any board, the name of the candidate of such party receiving the highest number of votes in the primary election as a candidate for such office, as shown by the official election returns of the primary, shall be certified first under the name of such offices, and the names of the remaining candidates of such party for such offices shall follow in the order of the number of votes received by them respectively at the primary election as shown by the official election results.
No person who is shown by the final proclamation to have been nominated or elected at the primary as a write-in candidate shall have his or her name certified unless such person shall have filed with the certifying office or board within 10 days after the election authority’s proclamation a statement of candidacy pursuant to Section 7-10, a statement pursuant to Section 7-10.1, and a receipt for the filing of a statement of economic interests in relation to the unit of government to which he or she has been elected or nominated.
Each county clerk and board of election commissioners shall determine by a fair and impartial method of random selection the order of placement of established political party candidates for the general election ballot. Such determination shall be made within 30 days following the canvass and proclamation of the results of the general primary in the office of the county clerk or board of election commissioners and shall be open to the public. Seven days written notice of the time and place of conducting such random selection shall be given, by each such election authority, to the County Chair of each established political party, and to each organization of citizens within the election jurisdiction which was entitled, under this Article, at the next preceding election, to have pollwatchers present on the day of election. Each election authority shall post in a conspicuous, open and public place, at the entrance of the election authority office, notice of the time and place of such lottery. However, a board of election commissioners may elect to place established political party candidates on the general election ballot in the same order determined by the county clerk of the county in which the city under the jurisdiction of such board is located.
Each certification shall indicate, where applicable, the following:

(1) The political party affiliation of the candidates for the respective offices;

(2) If there is to be more than one candidate elected to an office from the State, political subdivision or district;

(3) If the voter has the right to vote for more than one candidate for an office;

(4) The term of office, if a vacancy is to be filled for less than a full term or if the offices to be filled in a political subdivision are for different terms.
The State Board of Elections or the county clerk, as the case may be, shall issue an amended certification whenever it is discovered that the original certification is in error.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-60.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-60.1)
Sec. 7-60.1. Certification of candidates – consolidated election. Each local election official of a political subdivision in which candidates for the respective local offices are nominated at the consolidated primary shall, no later than 5 days following the canvass and proclamation of the results of the consolidated primary, certify to each election authority whose duty it is to prepare the official ballot for the consolidated election in that political subdivision the names of each of the candidates who have been nominated as shown by the proclamation of the appropriate election authority or who have been nominated to fill a vacancy in nomination and direct the election authority to place upon the official ballot for the consolidated election the names of such candidates in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon the certification, except as otherwise provided by this Section.
Whenever there are two or more persons nominated by the same political party for multiple offices for any board, the name of the candidate of such party receiving the highest number of votes in the consolidated primary election as a candidate for such consolidated primary, shall be certified first under the name of such office, and the names of the remaining candidates of such party for such offices shall follow in the order of the number of votes received by them respectively at the consolidated primary election as shown by the official election results.
No person who is shown by the election authority’s proclamation to have been nominated at the consolidated primary as a write-in candidate shall have his or her name certified unless such person shall have filed with the certifying office or board within 5 days after the election authority’s proclamation a statement of candidacy pursuant to Section 7-10 and a statement pursuant to Section 7-10.1.
Each board of election commissioners of the cities in which established political party candidates for city offices are nominated at the consolidated primary shall determine by a fair and impartial method of random selection the order of placement of the established political party candidates for the consolidated ballot. Such determination shall be made within 5 days following the canvass and proclamation of the results of the consolidated primary and shall be open to the public. Three days written notice of the time and place of conducting such random selection shall be given, by each such election authority, to the County Chair of each established political party, and to each organization of citizens within the election jurisdiction which was entitled, under this Article, at the next preceding election, to have pollwatchers present on the day of election. Each election authority shall post in a conspicuous, open and public place, at the entrance of the election authority office, notice of the time and place of such lottery.
Each local election official of a political subdivision in which established political party candidates for the respective local offices are nominated by primary shall determine by a fair and impartial method of random selection the order of placement of the established political party candidates for the consolidated election ballot and, in the case of certain municipalities having annual elections, on the general primary ballot for election. Such determination shall be made prior to the canvass and proclamation of results of the consolidated primary or special municipal primary, as the case may be, in the office of the local election official and shall be open to the public. Three days written notice of the time and place of conducting such random selection shall be given, by each such local election official, to the County Chair of each established political party, and to each organization of citizens within the election jurisdiction which was entitled, under this Article, at the next preceding election, to have pollwatchers present on the day of election. Each local election official shall post in a conspicuous, open and public place notice of such lottery. Immediately thereafter, the local election official shall certify the ballot placement order so determined to the proper election authorities charged with the preparation of the consolidated election, or general primary, ballot for that political subdivision.
Not less than 68 days before the date of the consolidated election, each local election official of a political subdivision in which established political party candidates for the respective local offices have been nominated by caucus or have been nominated because no primary was required to be held shall certify to each election authority whose duty it is to prepare the official ballot for the consolidated election in that political subdivision the names of each of the candidates whose certificates of nomination or nomination papers have been filed in his or her office and direct the election authority to place upon the official ballot for the consolidated election the names of such candidates in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon the certification. Such local election official shall, prior to certification, determine by a fair and impartial method of random selection the order of placement of the established political party candidates for the consolidated election ballot. Such determination shall be made in the office of the local election official and shall be open to the public. Three days written notice of the time and place of conducting such random selection shall be given by each such local election official to the county chair of each established political party, and to each organization of citizens within the election jurisdiction which was entitled, under this Article, at the next preceding election, to have pollwatchers present on the day of election. Each local election official shall post in a conspicuous, open and public place, at the entrance of the office, notice of the time and place of such lottery. The local election official shall certify the ballot placement order so determined as part of his official certification of candidates to the election authorities whose duty it is to prepare the official ballot for the consolidated election in that political subdivision.
The certification shall indicate, where applicable, the following:

(1) The political party affiliation of the candidates for the respective offices;

(2) If there is to be more than one candidate elected or nominated to an office from the State, political subdivision or district;

(3) If the voter has the right to vote for more than one candidate for an office;

(4) The term of office, if a vacancy is to be filled for less than a full term or if the offices to be filled in a political subdivision or district are for different terms.
The local election official shall issue an amended certification whenever it is discovered that the original certification is in error.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-61) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-61)
Sec. 7-61. Whenever a special election is necessary the provisions of this Article are applicable to the nomination of candidates to be voted for at such special election.
In cases where a primary election is required the officer or board or commission whose duty it is under the provisions of this Act relating to general elections to call an election, shall fix a date for the primary for the nomination of candidates to be voted for at such special election. Notice of such primary shall be given at least 15 days prior to the maximum time provided for the filing of petitions for such a primary as provided in Section 7-12.
Any vacancy in nomination under the provisions of this Article 7 occurring on or after the primary and prior to certification of candidates by the certifying board or officer, must be filled prior to the date of certification. Any vacancy in nomination occurring after certification but prior to 15 days before the general election shall be filled within 8 days after the event creating the vacancy. The resolution filling the vacancy shall be sent by U. S. mail or personal delivery to the certifying officer or board within 3 days of the action by which the vacancy was filled; provided, if such resolution is sent by mail and the U. S. postmark on the envelope containing such resolution is dated prior to the expiration of such 3 day limit, the resolution shall be deemed filed within such 3 day limit. Failure to so transmit the resolution within the time specified in this Section shall authorize the certifying officer or board to certify the original candidate. Vacancies shall be filled by the officers of a local municipal or township political party as specified in subsection (h) of Section 7-8, other than a statewide political party, that is established only within a municipality or township and the managing committee (or legislative committee in case of a candidate for State Senator or representative committee in the case of a candidate for State Representative in the General Assembly or State central committee in the case of a candidate for statewide office, including but not limited to the office of United States Senator) of the respective political party for the territorial area in which such vacancy occurs.
The resolution to fill a vacancy in nomination shall be duly acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgements of deeds and shall include, upon its face, the following information:

(a) the name of the original nominee and the office vacated;

(b) the date on which the vacancy occurred;

(c) the name and address of the nominee selected to fill the vacancy and the date of selection.
The resolution to fill a vacancy in nomination shall be accompanied by a Statement of Candidacy, as prescribed in Section 7-10, completed by the selected nominee and a receipt indicating that such nominee has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.
The provisions of Section 10-8 through 10-10.1 relating to objections to certificates of nomination and nomination papers, hearings on objections, and judicial review, shall apply to and govern objections to resolutions for filling a vacancy in nomination.
Any vacancy in nomination occurring 15 days or less before the consolidated election or the general election shall not be filled. In this event, the certification of the original candidate shall stand and his name shall appear on the official ballot to be voted at the general election.
A vacancy in nomination occurs when a candidate who has been nominated under the provisions of this Article 7 dies before the election (whether death occurs prior to, on or after the day of the primary), or declines the nomination; provided that nominations may become vacant for other reasons.
If the name of no established political party candidate was printed on the consolidated primary ballot for a particular office and if no person was nominated as a write-in candidate for such office, a vacancy in nomination shall be created which may be filled in accordance with the requirements of this Section. If the name of no established political party candidate was printed on the general primary ballot for a particular office and if no person was nominated as a write-in candidate for such office, a vacancy in nomination shall be filled only by a person designated by the appropriate committee of the political party and only if that designated person files nominating petitions with the number of signatures required for an established party candidate for that office within 75 days after the day of the general primary. The circulation period for those petitions begins on the day the appropriate committee designates that person. The person shall file his or her nominating petitions, statements of candidacy, notice of appointment by the appropriate committee, and receipt of filing his or her statement of economic interests together. These documents shall be filed at the same location as provided in Section 7-12. The electoral boards having jurisdiction under Section 10-9 to hear and pass upon objections to nominating petitions also shall hear and pass upon objections to nomination petitions filed by candidates under this paragraph.
A candidate for whom a nomination paper has been filed as a partisan candidate at a primary election, and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such primary election, is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of another political party.
A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such caucus, is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of another political party.
In the proceedings to nominate a candidate to fill a vacancy or to fill a vacancy in the nomination, each precinct, township, ward, county or congressional district, as the case may be, shall through its representative on such central or managing committee, be entitled to one vote for each ballot voted in such precinct, township, ward, county or congressional district, as the case may be, by the primary electors of its party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting at which such vacancy is to be filled.
For purposes of this Section, the words “certify” and “certification” shall refer to the act of officially declaring the names of candidates entitled to be printed upon the official ballot at an election and directing election authorities to place the names of such candidates upon the official ballot. “Certifying officers or board” shall refer to the local election official, election authority or the State Board of Elections, as the case may be, with whom nomination papers, including certificates of nomination and resolutions to fill vacancies in nomination, are filed and whose duty it is to “certify” candidates.
(Source: P.A. 96-809, eff. 1-1-10; 96-848, eff. 1-1-10.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-62) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-62)
Sec. 7-62. In cities having a board of election commissioners, the duties herein imposed upon the county, city, incorporated town or village clerk, as the case may be, shall be discharged by the board of election commissioners in the same manner, as near as may be, and to the same extent and with like effect that the similar duties imposed by this Article are discharged by the county, city, incorporated town or village clerk, as the case may be; and the ballots for the nomination of all candidates to be voted for in such city shall be printed by the board of election commissioners and the returns of the primary held in such city shall be made to such board of election commissioners.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-63) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-63)
Sec. 7-63. Any candidate whose name appears upon the primary ballot of any political party may contest the election of the candidate or candidates nominated for the office for which he or she was a candidate by his or her political party, upon the face of the returns, by filing with the clerk of the circuit court a petition in writing, setting forth the grounds of contest, which petition shall be verified by the affidavit of the petitioner or other person, and which petition shall be filed within 10 days after the completion of the canvass of the returns by the election authority making the final canvass of returns. The contestant shall also file with that election authority (and if for the nomination for an office, certified tabulated statements of the returns of which are to be filed with the State Board of Elections, also with the election authorities in whose jurisdiction the election was held), a notice of the pendency of the contest.
If the contest relates to an office involving more than one county, the venue of the contest is (a) in the county in which the alleged grounds of the contest exist or (b) if grounds for the contest are alleged to exist in more than one county, then in any of those counties or in the county in which any defendant resides.
Authority and jurisdiction are hereby vested in the circuit court, to hear and determine primary contests. When a petition to contest a primary is filed in the office of the clerk of the court, the petition shall forthwith be presented to a judge thereof, who shall note thereon the date of presentation, and shall note thereon the day when the petition will be heard, which shall not be more than 10 days thereafter.
Summons shall forthwith issue to each defendant named in the petition and shall be served for the same manner as is provided for other civil cases. Summons may be issued and served in any county in the State. The case may be heard and determined by the circuit court at any time not less than 5 days after service of process, and shall have preference in the order of hearing to all other cases. The petitioner shall give security for all costs.
Any defendant may file a counterclaim in the same manner as in other civil cases.
The court shall ascertain and declare by a judgment to be entered of record, the result of such election. The judgment of the court shall be appealable as in other civil cases. A certified copy of the judgment shall forthwith be made by the clerk of the court and transmitted to the election authority canvassing the returns for such office, and in case of contest, if for nomination for an office, tabulated statements of returns for which are filed with the State Board of Elections, also in the office of the election authorities having jurisdiction. The proper election authority or authorities, as the case may be, shall correct the returns or the tabulated statement of returns in accordance with the judgment.
(Source: P.A. 94-647, eff. 1-1-06.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-64) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-64)
Sec. 7-64. Nothing in this article contained shall be construed to prevent the nomination of independent candidates by petition, as is now or may hereafter be provided by this Act or any other law.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-65) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-65)
Sec. 7-65. The invalidity of any portion of this Article 7 shall not affect the validity of any other portion hereof, which can be given effect without such invalid part.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 253.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-66)
Sec. 7-66. Precinct tabulation optical scan technology voting equipment.
If the election authority has adopted the use of Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting equipment pursuant to Article 24B of this Code, and the provisions of the Article are in conflict with the provisions of this Article 7, the provisions of Article 24B shall govern the procedures followed by the election authority, its judges of elections, and all employees and agents. In following the provisions of Article 24B, the election authority is authorized to develop and implement procedures to fully utilize Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting equipment authorized by the State Board of Elections as long as the procedure is not in conflict with either Article 24B or the administrative rules of the State Board of Elections.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-67)
Sec. 7-67. Nominations; regional superintendents of schools.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, this Section shall apply only to the making of nominations for established party candidates for regional superintendent of schools in the 2014 general primary election.

(b) A candidate’s petition for nomination must contain at least 200 signatures or the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the primary electors of his or her party in the territory comprising the county or counties, whichever is less. For purposes of this subsection, the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total votes cast in the applicable district for the candidate for that political party who received the highest number of votes, statewide, at the last general election in the State at which electors for President of the United States were elected.

(c) Petitions for nomination for regional superintendent of schools shall be filed no earlier than December 16, 2013, and no later than December 23, 2013.

(d) Petitions for single-county districts shall be filed with the county election authority. Petitions for multi-county districts shall be filed with the State Board of Elections. Signatures and circulator statements on petitions for nomination filed with the State Board of Elections or county election authority during the filing period for nominations shall not be deemed invalid for the sole reason that the petitions were circulated between 90 and 111 days before the last day for filing petitions.

(e) In the case of a conflict between the provisions of this Section and any other provision of this Code, the provisions of this Section shall control.
(Source: P.A. 98-594, eff. 11-15-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-68)
Sec. 7-68. Nominations for special election for Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, or Treasurer.

(a) Whenever a special election for the office of Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, or Treasurer is to be held pursuant to Section 25-5 of this Code, nominations shall be made and any vacancy in nomination shall be filled pursuant to this Section.

(1) If the vacancy in office or failure to qualify for the office occurs before the first date provided in Section 7-12 for filing nomination papers for the primary in the next even-numbered year following the commencement of the term, the nominations for the special election shall be made as otherwise provided in this Article 7. The nomination for the office to be filled by special election shall appear on the regular ballot at the primary election, and shall not require the use of a separate ballot.

(2) If the vacancy in office or failure to qualify occurs on or after the first day provided in Section 7-12 for filing nomination papers for the primary in the next even-numbered year following the commencement of the term, a vacancy in nomination shall be deemed to have occurred and the State central committee of each established political party shall nominate, by resolution, a candidate to fill such vacancy in nomination for the election to such office at such general election.
The resolution to fill the vacancy in nomination shall include the following information:

(A) the names of the original office holder and the office;

(B) the date on which the vacancy in nomination occurred;

(C) the name and address of the nominee selected to fill the vacancy in nomination and the date of selection.

The resolution to fill the vacancy in nomination shall be accompanied by a Statement of Candidacy, as prescribed in Section 7-10, completed by the selected nominee and a receipt indicating that such nominee has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

(b) Any vacancy in nomination occurring on or after the primary and prior to certification must be filled prior to the date of certification. Any vacancy in nomination occurring after certification but prior to 15 days before the general election shall be filled within 8 days after the event creating the vacancy in nomination.

(c) The provisions of Sections 10-8 through 10-10.1 relating to objections to nomination papers, hearings on objections and judicial review, shall also apply to and govern objections to nomination papers and resolutions for filling vacancies in nomination filed pursuant to this Section.

(d) Unless otherwise specified herein, the nomination and special election provided for in this Section shall be governed by this Code.
(Source: P.A. 98-1170, eff. 1-12-15.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/7-100)
Sec. 7-100. Definition of a vote.
(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the purpose of this Article, a person casts a valid vote on a punch card ballot when:

(1) A chad on the card has at least one corner detached from the card;

(2) The fibers of paper on at least one edge of the chad are broken in a way that permits unimpeded light to be seen through the card; or

(3) An indentation on the chad from the stylus or other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote based on the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to any pattern or frequency of indentations on other ballot positions from the same ballot card.

(b) Write-in votes shall be counted in a manner consistent with the existing provisions of this Code.

(c) For purposes of this Section, a “chad” is that portion of a ballot card that a voter punches or perforates with a stylus or other designated marking device to manifest his or her vote for a particular ballot position on a ballot card as defined in subsection (a).

(d) Prior to the original counting of any punch card ballots, an election judge may not alter a punch card ballot in any manner, including, but not limited to, the removal or manipulation of chads.
(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05.)

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Article 7A – Judges’ Declaration of Intent to Seek Retention in Office

(10 ILCS 5/7A-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 7A-1)
Sec. 7A-1. Any Supreme, Appellate or Circuit Judge who has been elected to that office and who seeks to be retained in that office under subsection (d) of Section 12 of Article VI of the Constitution shall file a declaration of candidacy to succeed himself in the office of the Secretary of State not less than 6 months before the general election preceding the expiration of his term of office. Within 3 business days thereafter, the Secretary of State shall certify to the State Board of Elections the names of all incumbent judges who were eligible to stand for retention at the next general election but failed to timely file a declaration of candidacy to succeed themselves in office or, having timely filed such a declaration, withdrew it. The State Board of Elections may rely upon the certification from the Secretary of State (a) to determine when vacancies in judicial office exist and (b) to determine the judicial positions for which elections will be held. The Secretary of State, not less than 63 days before the election, shall certify the Judge’s candidacy to the proper election officials. The names of Judges seeking retention shall be submitted to the electors, separately and without party designation, on the sole question whether each Judge shall be retained in office for another term. The retention elections shall be conducted at general elections in the appropriate Judicial District, for Supreme and Appellate Judges, and in the circuit for Circuit Judges. The affirmative vote of three-fifths of the electors voting on the question shall elect the Judge to the office for a term commencing on the first Monday in December following his election.
Upon certification of a Judge’s candidacy for retention by the Secretary of State, the judicial candidate may file a written request with the Secretary of State for redaction of the judicial candidate’s home address information from the candidate’s declaration of candidacy for retention. After receipt of the candidate’s written request, the Secretary of State shall redact or cause redaction of the judicial candidate’s home address from the candidate’s declaration of candidacy for retention within 5 business days. For the purposes of this subsection, “home address” has the meaning as defined in Section 1-10 of the Judicial Privacy Act.
(Source: P.A. 96-886, eff. 1-1-11; 97-847, eff. 9-22-12.)

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Article 8 – Nominations of Members of the General Assembly

(10 ILCS 5/8-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-1)
Sec. 8-1. The nomination of all candidates for members of the General Assembly by all political parties as defined in Section 8-2 of this article shall be made in the manner provided in this article 8 and not otherwise.
The name of no person, nominated by a party required hereunder to make nominations of candidates for members of the General Assembly shall be placed upon the official ballot to be voted at the general election as a candidate unless such person shall have been nominated for such office under the provisions of this article 8.
(Source: P.A. 82-750.)

(10 ILCS 5/8-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-2)
Sec. 8-2. The term “political party” as used in this article shall mean a political party which, at the next preceding election for governor, polled at least five per cent of the entire vote cast in the State; Provided, that no political organization or group shall be qualified as a political party hereunder, or given a place on a ballot, which organization or group is associated, directly or indirectly, with Communist, Fascist, Nazi or other un-American principles and engages in activities or propaganda designed to teach subservience to the political principles and ideals of foreign nations or the overthrow by violence of the established constitutional form of government of the United States and the State of Illinois.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-3)
Sec. 8-3. The following words and phrases in this article shall, unless the same be inconsistent with the context, be construed as follows:
(1) The terms “legislative office”, “legislative officer” or “legislator” shall mean a State Senator or Representative in the General Assembly.

(2) The term “legislative district” shall mean the territorial area from which a State Senator is to be elected.

(3) The term “representative district” shall mean the territorial area from which a Representative in the General Assembly is to be elected.
(Source: P.A. 82-750.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-4)
Sec. 8-4. The nomination of candidates for legislative offices shall be made at the general primary election.
(Source: P.A. 95-6, eff. 6-20-07.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-5)
Sec. 8-5. There shall be constituted one legislative committee for each political party in each legislative district and one representative committee for each political party in each representative district. Legislative and representative committees shall be composed as follows:
In legislative or representative districts within or including a portion of any county containing 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, the legislative or representative committee of a political party shall consist of the committeepersons of such party representing each township or ward of such county any portion of which township or ward is included within such legislative or representative district and the chair of each county central committee of such party of any county containing less than 2,000,000 inhabitants any portion of which county is included within such legislative or representative district.
In the remainder of the State, the legislative or representative committee of a political party shall consist of the chair of each county central committee of such party, any portion of which county is included within such legislative or representative district; but if a legislative or representative district comprises only one county, or part of a county, its legislative or representative committee shall consist of the chair of the county central committee and 2 members of the county central committee who reside in the legislative or representative district, as the case may be, elected by the county central committee.
Within 180 days after the primary of the even-numbered year immediately following the decennial redistricting required by Section 3 of Article IV of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, the ward committeepersons, township committeepersons or chairmen of county central committees within each of the redistricted legislative and representative districts shall meet and proceed to organize by electing from among their own number a chair and, either from among their own number or otherwise, such other officers as they may deem necessary or expedient. The ward committeepersons, township committeepersons or chairmen of county central committees shall determine the time and place (which shall be in the limits of such district) of such meeting. Immediately upon completion of organization, the chair shall forward to the State Board of Elections the names and addresses of the chair and secretary of the committee. A vacancy shall occur when a member dies, resigns or ceases to reside in the county, township or ward which he represented.
Within 180 days after the primary of each other even-numbered year, each legislative committee and representative committee shall meet and proceed to organize by electing from among its own number a chair, and either from its own number or otherwise, such other officers as each committee may deem necessary or expedient. Immediately upon completion of organization, the chair shall forward to the State Board of Elections, the names and addresses of the chair and secretary of the committee. The outgoing chair of such committee shall notify the members of the time and place (which shall be in the limits of such district) of such meeting. A vacancy shall occur when a member dies, resigns, or ceases to reside in the county, township or ward, which he represented.
If any change is made in the boundaries of any precinct, township or ward, the committeeperson previously elected therefrom shall continue to serve, as if no boundary change had occurred, for the purpose of acting as a member of a legislative or representative committee until his successor is elected or appointed.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-6)
Sec. 8-6. In legislative or representative districts wholly contained within counties having 2,000,000 or more inhabitants each member of each legislative or representative committee shall in its organization and proceedings be entitled to one vote for each ballot voted in that portion of his township or ward in the legislative or representative district by the primary electors of his party at the last primary at which members of the General Assembly were nominated. If a portion of the legislative or representative district is within a county containing 2,000,000 or more inhabitants then each legislative or representative committee member shall be entitled to vote as follows: (a) in the portion of the district lying within a county of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, each committeeperson shall be entitled to one vote for each ballot voted in that portion of his township or ward in the legislative or representative district by primary electors of his party at the last primary at which township or ward committeepersons were elected; (b) in the portion of the district lying outside a county of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, each chair of a county central committee shall be entitled to one vote for each ballot voted in that portion of his county in the legislative or representative district by the primary electors of his party at the last primary at which members of the General Assembly were nominated. In the remainder of the State, each member shall be entitled to cast one vote for each ballot voted in that portion of his county in the legislative or representative district by the primary electors of his party at the last primary at which members of the General Assembly were nominated. However, in counties under 2,000,000 population, if the legislative or representative district comprises only one county, or part of a county, each legislative or representative committee member shall be entitled to cast one vote.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-7)
Sec. 8-7. The various political party committees now in existence are hereby recognized and shall exercise the powers and perform the duties herein prescribed until committeepersons are chosen, in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-8)
Sec. 8-8. Form of petition for nomination. The name of no candidate for nomination shall be printed upon the primary ballot unless a petition for nomination shall have been filed in his behalf as provided for in this Section. Each such petition shall include as a part thereof the oath required by Section 7-10.1 of this Act and a statement of candidacy by the candidate filing or in whose behalf the petition is filed. This statement shall set out the address of such candidate, the office for which he is a candidate, shall state that the candidate is a qualified primary voter of the party to which the petition relates, is qualified for the office specified and has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, shall request that the candidate’s name be placed upon the official ballot and shall be subscribed and sworn by such candidate before some officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds in this State and may be in substantially the following form:
State of Illinois)
) ss.
County ……….)
I, …., being first duly sworn, say that I reside at …. street in the city (or village of) …. in the county of …. State of Illinois; that I am a qualified voter therein and am a qualified primary voter of …. party; that I am a candidate for nomination to the office of …. to be voted upon at the primary election to be held on (insert date); that I am legally qualified to hold such office and that I have filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official primary ballot for nomination for such office.
Signed ………………..
Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by …., who is to me personally known, on (insert date).
Signed …. (Official Character)
(Seal if officer has one.)
The receipt issued by the Secretary of State indicating that the candidate has filed the statement of economic interests required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act must be filed with the petitions for nomination as provided in subsection (8) of Section 7-12 of this Code.
All petitions for nomination for the office of State Senator shall be signed by at least 1,000 but not more than 3,000 of the qualified primary electors of the candidate’s party in his legislative district.
All petitions for nomination for the office of Representative in the General Assembly shall be signed by at least 500 but not more than 1,500 of the qualified primary electors of the candidate’s party in his or her representative district.
Opposite the signature of each qualified primary elector who signs a petition for nomination for the office of State Representative or State Senator such elector’s residence address shall be written or printed. The residence address required to be written or printed opposite each qualified primary elector’s name shall include the street address or rural route number of the signer, as the case may be, as well as the signer’s county and city, village or town.
For the purposes of this Section, the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total vote cast, in the applicable district, for the candidate for such political party who received the highest number of votes, state-wide, at the last general election in the State at which electors for President of the United States were elected.
A “qualified primary elector” of a party may not sign petitions for or be a candidate in the primary of more than one party.
In the affidavit at the bottom of each sheet, the petition circulator, who shall be a person 18 years of age or older who is a citizen of the United States, shall state his or her street address or rural route number, as the case may be, as well as his or her county, city, village or town, and state; and shall certify that the signatures on that sheet of the petition were signed in his or her presence; and shall certify that the signatures are genuine; and shall certify that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief the persons so signing were at the time of signing the petition qualified primary voters for which the nomination is sought.
In the affidavit at the bottom of each petition sheet, the petition circulator shall either (1) indicate the dates on which he or she circulated that sheet, or (2) indicate the first and last dates on which the sheet was circulated, or (3) certify that none of the signatures on the sheet were signed more than 90 days preceding the last day for the filing of the petition. No petition sheet shall be circulated more than 90 days preceding the last day provided in Section 8-9 for the filing of such petition.
All petition sheets which are filed with the State Board of Elections shall be the original sheets which have been signed by the voters and by the circulator, and not photocopies or duplicates of such sheets.
The person circulating the petition, or the candidate on whose behalf the petition is circulated, may strike any signature from the petition, provided that:

(1) the person striking the signature shall initial the petition at the place where the signature is struck; and

(2) the person striking the signature shall sign a certification listing the page number and line number of each signature struck from the petition. Such certification shall be filed as a part of the petition.
(Source: P.A. 97-81, eff. 7-5-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-8.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-8.1)
Sec. 8-8.1. In the designation of the name of a candidate on a petition for nomination, the candidate’s given name or names, initial or initials, a nickname by which the candidate is commonly known, or a combination thereof, may be used in addition to the candidate’s surname. If a candidate has changed his or her name, whether by a statutory or common law procedure in Illinois or any other jurisdiction, within 3 years before the last day for filing the petition for that office, then (i) the candidate’s name on the petition must be followed by “formerly known as (list all prior names during the 3-year period) until name changed on (list date of each such name change)” and (ii) the petition must be accompanied by the candidate’s affidavit stating the candidate’s previous names during the period specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those names was changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds for denying certification of the candidate’s name for the ballot or removing the candidate’s name from the ballot, as appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent’s or parents’ surname, marriage to assume a spouse’s surname, or dissolution of marriage or declaration of invalidity of marriage to assume a former surname. No other designation such as a political slogan, title, or degree, or nickname suggesting or implying possession of a title, degree or professional status, or similar information may be used in connection with the candidate’s surname.
(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 94-1090, eff. 6-1-07.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-9)
Sec. 8-9. All petitions for nomination shall be filed by mail or in person as follows:
(1) Where the nomination is made for a legislative office, such petition for nomination shall be filed in the principal office of the State Board of Elections not more than 113 and not less than 106 days prior to the date of the primary.

(2) The State Board of Elections shall, upon receipt of each petition, endorse thereon the day and hour on which it was filed. Petitions filed by mail and received after midnight on the first day for filing and in the first mail delivery or pickup of that day, shall be deemed as filed as of 8:00 a.m. of that day or as of the normal opening hour of such day as the case may be, and all petitions received thereafter shall be deemed as filed in the order of actual receipt. However, 2 or more petitions filed within the last hour of the filing deadline shall be deemed to have been filed simultaneously. Where 2 or more petitions are received simultaneously, the State Board of Elections shall break ties and determine the order of filing, by means of a lottery as provided in Section 7-12 of this Code.

(3) Any person for whom a petition for nomination has been filed, may cause his name to be withdrawn by a request in writing, signed by him, duly acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgments of deeds, and filed in the principal or permanent branch office of the State Board of Elections not later than the date of certification of candidates for the general primary ballot, and no names so withdrawn shall be certified by the State Board of Elections to the county clerk, or printed on the primary ballot. If petitions for nomination have been filed for the same person with respect to more than one political party, his name shall not be certified nor printed on the primary ballot of any party. If petitions for nomination have been filed for the same person for 2 or more offices which are incompatible so that the same person could not serve in more than one of such offices if elected, that person must withdraw as a candidate for all but one of such offices within the 5 business days following the last day for petition filing. If he fails to withdraw as a candidate for all but one of such offices within such time, his name shall not be certified, nor printed on the primary ballot, for any office. For the purpose of the foregoing provisions, an office in a political party is not incompatible with any other office.

(4) If multiple sets of nomination papers are filed for a candidate to the same office, the State Board of Elections shall within 2 business days notify the candidate of his or her multiple petition filings and that the candidate has 3 business days after receipt of the notice to notify the State Board of Elections that he or she may cancel prior sets of petitions. If the candidate notifies the State Board of Elections the last set of petitions filed shall be the only petitions to be considered valid by the State Board of Elections. If the candidate fails to notify the State Board then only the first set of petitions filed shall be valid and all subsequent petitions shall be void.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-9.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-9.1)
Sec. 8-9.1. The provisions of Sections 10-8 through 10-10.1 relating to objections to certificates of nomination and nomination papers, hearings on objections, and judicial review, shall also apply to and govern objections to petitions for nomination filed under this Article.
(Source: Laws 1967, p. 597.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-10)
Sec. 8-10. Not less than 68 days prior to the date of the primary, the State Board of Elections shall certify to the county clerk for each county, the names of all candidates for legislative offices, as specified in the petitions for nominations on file in its office, which are to be voted for in such county, stating in such certificates the political affiliation of each candidate for nomination, as specified in the petitions. The State Board of Elections shall, in its certificate to the county clerk, certify to the county clerk the names of the candidates in the order in which the names shall appear upon the primary ballot, the names to appear in the order in which petitions have been filed.
Not less than 62 days prior to the date of the primary, the county clerk shall certify to the board of election commissioners if there be any such board in his county, the names of all candidates so certified to him by the State Board of Elections in the districts wholly or partly within the jurisdiction of said board and in the order in which such names are certified to him.
(Source: P.A. 97-81, eff. 7-5-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-11)
Sec. 8-11. The county clerk of each county or the board of election commissioners, as the case may be, shall prepare and cause to be printed the primary ballot of each political party for each precinct in his respective county, and the names of all candidates provided in this Article 8, which are certified to the office of the county clerk by the electoral board, shall be placed on the same ballot as candidates for other offices for nominations to be voted for at the same primary election, properly arranged, however, under the name of each office.
(Source: P.A. 82-750.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-12)
Sec. 8-12. The State Board of Elections shall, in its certificate to the county clerk, certify to the county clerk the position which the names of candidates for legislative offices shall occupy upon the primary ballot with reference to the position of candidates for other offices; provided that, where the candidates on the primary ballot are listed in two or more columns, legislative offices shall be the first offices listed in the second column.
(Source: P.A. 82-750.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-15)
Sec. 8-15. Except as in this article otherwise expressly provided, all of the provisions of Article 7 of this Act and acts hereafter passed amendatory thereof, shall, so far as the same may be applicable, apply to and govern primary elections and contests thereof held under the provisions of this Article 8. The returns of such primary shall be made to the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, and shall be canvassed and certified as other returns made to the county clerk or board of election commissioners as the case may be.
Tabulated statements of the returns of the primary for the nomination of candidates for legislative offices shall be made to the State Board of Elections, canvassed by the Board, proclamation of the result thereof made, and certificates of nomination issued, as in the case of other tabulated statements of returns made to the State Board of Elections, and the election of any person nominated may be contested by filing with the clerk of the circuit court a petition in writing and filing notice in writing with the proper canvassing boards as required by Article 7 hereof.
(Source: P.A. 82-750.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-16)
Sec. 8-16. Nothing in this article contained shall be construed to prevent the nomination of independent candidates by petition, as is now or may hereafter be provided by this act.
(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-17)
Sec. 8-17. The death of any candidate prior to, or on, the date of the primary shall not affect the canvass of the ballots. If the result of such canvass discloses that such candidate, if he had lived, would have been nominated, such candidate shall be declared nominated.
In the event that a candidate of a party who has been nominated under the provisions of this Article shall die before election (whether death occurs prior to, or on, or after, the date of the primary) or decline the nomination or should the nomination for any other reason become vacant, the legislative or representative committee of such party for such district shall nominate a candidate of such party to fill such vacancy. However, if there was no candidate for the nomination of the party in the primary, no candidate of that party for that office may be listed on the ballot at the general election, unless the legislative or representative committee of the party nominates a candidate to fill the vacancy in nomination within 75 days after the date of the general primary election. Vacancies in nomination occurring under this Article shall be filled by the appropriate legislative or representative committee in accordance with the provisions of Section 7-61 of this Code. In proceedings to fill the vacancy in nomination, the voting strength of the members of the legislative or representative committee shall be as provided in Section 8-6.
(Source: P.A. 96-1008, eff. 7-6-10.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/8-17.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-17.1)
Sec. 8-17.1. Whenever a vacancy in the office of State Senator is to be filled by election pursuant to Article IV, Section 2(d) of the Constitution and Section 25-6 of this Code, nominations shall be made and any vacancy in nomination shall be filled pursuant to this Section:
(1) If the vacancy in office occurs before the first date provided in Section 8-9 for filing nomination papers for the primary in the next even-numbered year following the commencement of the term, the nominations for the election for filling such vacancy shall be made as otherwise provided in Article 8.

(2) If the vacancy in office occurs during the time provided in Section 8-9 for filing nomination papers for the office of State Senator for the primary in the next even-numbered year following commencement of the term of office in which such vacancy occurs, the time for filing nomination papers for such office for the primary shall be not more than 105 days and not less than 99 days prior to the date of the primary election.

(3) If the vacancy in office occurs after the last day provided in Section 8-9 for filing nomination papers for the office of State Senator, a vacancy in nomination shall be deemed to have occurred and the legislative committee of each established political party shall nominate, by resolution, a candidate to fill such vacancy in nomination for the election to such office at such general election. In the proceedings to fill the vacancy in nomination the voting strength of the members of the legislative committee shall be as provided in Section 8-6. The name of the candidate so nominated shall not appear on the ballot at the general primary election. Such vacancy in nomination shall be filled prior to the date of certification of candidates for the general election.

(4) The resolution to fill the vacancy shall be duly acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgments of deeds and shall include, upon its face, the following information:

(a) the names of the original nominee and the office vacated;

(b) the date on which the vacancy occurred;

(c) the name and address of the nominee selected to fill the vacancy and the date of selection.

The resolution to fill the vacancy shall be accompanied by a Statement of Candidacy, as prescribed in Section 7-10, completed by the selected nominee and a receipt indicating that such nominee has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.
The provisions of Sections 10-8 through 10-10.1 relating to objections to nomination papers, hearings on objections and judicial review, shall also apply to and govern objections to nomination papers and resolutions for filling vacancies in nomination filed pursuant to this Section.
Unless otherwise specified herein, the nomination and election provided for in this Section shall be governed by this Code.
(Source: P.A. 96-1008, eff. 7-6-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

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Article 9 – Discloure and Regulation of Campaign Contributions and Expenditures

(10 ILCS 5/9-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1)
Sec. 9-1. As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined in Sections 9-1.1 through 9-1.13, have the respective meanings as defined in those Sections.
(Source: P.A. 86-873.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.1)
Sec. 9-1.1. “Board” means the State Board of Elections.
(Source: P.A. 78-1183.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.3) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.3)
Sec. 9-1.3. “Candidate” means any person who seeks nomination for election, election to or retention in public office, or any person who seeks election as ward or township committeeperson in counties of 3,000,000 or more population, whether or not such person is elected. A person seeks nomination for election, election or retention if he (1) takes the action necessary under the laws of this State to attempt to qualify for nomination for election, election to or retention in public office or election as ward or township committeeperson in counties of 3,000,000 or more population, or (2) receives contributions or makes expenditures, or gives consent for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures with a view to bringing about his nomination for election or election to or retention in public office, or his or her election as ward or township committeeperson in counties of 3,000,000 or more population.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.4) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.4)
Sec. 9-1.4. Contribution.
(A) “Contribution” means:

(1) a gift, subscription, donation, dues, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value, knowingly received in connection with the nomination for election, election, or retention of any candidate or person to or in public office or in connection with any question of public policy;

(1.5) a gift, subscription, donation, dues, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value that constitutes an electioneering communication made in concert or cooperation with or at the request, suggestion, or knowledge of a candidate, a political committee, or any of their agents;

(2) the purchase of tickets for fund-raising events, including but not limited to dinners, luncheons, cocktail parties, and rallies made in connection with the nomination for election, election, or retention of any person in or to public office, or in connection with any question of public policy;

(3) a transfer of funds received by a political committee from another political committee;

(4) the services of an employee donated by an employer, in which case the contribution shall be listed in the name of the employer, except that any individual services provided voluntarily and without promise or expectation of compensation from any source shall not be deemed a contribution; and

(5) an expenditure by a political committee made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with another political committee.

(B) “Contribution” does not include:

(a) the use of real or personal property and the cost of invitations, food, and beverages, voluntarily provided by an individual in rendering voluntary personal services on the individual’s residential premises for candidate-related activities; provided the value of the service provided does not exceed an aggregate of $150 in a reporting period;

(b) the sale of any food or beverage by a vendor for use in a candidate’s campaign at a charge less than the normal comparable charge, if such charge for use in a candidate’s campaign is at least equal to the cost of such food or beverage to the vendor;

(c) communications by a corporation to its stockholders and executive or administrative personnel or their families;

(d) communications by an association to its members and executive or administrative personnel or their families;

(e) voter registration or other campaigns encouraging voting that make no mention of any clearly identified candidate, public question, political party, group, or combination thereof;

(f) a loan of money by a national or State bank or credit union made in accordance with the applicable banking laws and regulations and in the ordinary course of business, but the loan shall be listed on disclosure reports required by this Article; however, the use, ownership, or control of any security for such a loan, if provided by a person other than the candidate or his or her committee, qualifies as a contribution; or

(g) an independent expenditure.

(C) Interest or other investment income, earnings or proceeds, and refunds or returns of all or part of a committee’s previous expenditures shall not be considered contributions but shall be listed on disclosure reports required by this Article.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.5) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.5)
Sec. 9-1.5. Expenditure.
(A) “Expenditure” means:

(1) a payment, distribution, purchase, loan, advance, deposit, gift of money, or anything of value, in connection with the nomination for election, election, or retention of any person to or in public office or in connection with any question of public policy;

(2) a payment, distribution, purchase, loan, advance, deposit, gift of money, or anything of value that constitutes an electioneering communication made in concert or cooperation with or at the request, suggestion, or knowledge of a candidate, a political committee, or any of their agents; or

(3) a transfer of funds by a political committee to another political committee.

(B) “Expenditure” does not include:

(a) the use of real or personal property and the cost of invitations, food, and beverages, voluntarily provided by an individual in rendering voluntary personal services on the individual’s residential premises for candidate-related activities; provided the value of the service provided does not exceed an aggregate of $150 in a reporting period; or

(b) the sale of any food or beverage by a vendor for use in a candidate’s campaign at a charge less than the normal comparable charge, if such charge for use in a candidate’s campaign is at least equal to the cost of such food or beverage to the vendor.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.6) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.6)
Sec. 9-1.6. Person. “Person” or “whoever” means a natural person, trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or any other organization or group of persons.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.7) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.7)
Sec. 9-1.7. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 95-963, eff. 1-1-09. Repealed by P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.8) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.8)
Sec. 9-1.8. Political committees.
(a) “Political committee” includes a candidate political committee, a political party committee, a political action committee, a ballot initiative committee, and an independent expenditure committee.

(b) “Candidate political committee” means the candidate himself or herself or any natural person, trust, partnership, corporation, or other organization or group of persons designated by the candidate that accepts contributions or makes expenditures during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 on behalf of the candidate.

(c) “Political party committee” means the State central committee of a political party, a county central committee of a political party, a legislative caucus committee, or a committee formed by a ward or township committeeperson of a political party. For purposes of this Article, a “legislative caucus committee” means a committee established for the purpose of electing candidates to the General Assembly by the person elected President of the Senate, Minority Leader of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, or a committee established by 5 or more members of the same caucus of the Senate or 10 or more members of the same caucus of the House of Representatives.

(d) “Political action committee” means any natural person, trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or other organization or group of persons, other than a candidate, political party, candidate political committee, or political party committee, that accepts contributions or makes expenditures during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate or candidates for public office. “Political action committee” includes any natural person, trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or other organization or group of persons, other than a candidate, political party, candidate political committee, or political party committee, that makes electioneering communications during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 related to any candidate or candidates for public office.

(e) “Ballot initiative committee” means any natural person, trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or other organization or group of persons that accepts contributions or makes expenditures during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 in support of or in opposition to any question of public policy to be submitted to the electors. “Ballot initiative committee” includes any natural person, trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or other organization or group of persons that makes electioneering communications during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 related to any question of public policy to be submitted to the voters. The $5,000 threshold applies to any contributions or expenditures received or made with the purpose of securing a place on the ballot for, advocating the defeat or passage of, or engaging in electioneering communication regarding the question of public policy, regardless of the method of initiation of the question of public policy and regardless of whether petitions have been circulated or filed with the appropriate office or whether the question has been adopted and certified by the governing body.

(f) “Independent expenditure committee” means any trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or other organization or group of persons formed for the exclusive purpose of making independent expenditures during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 in support of or in opposition to (i) the nomination for election, election, retention, or defeat of any public official or candidate or (ii) any question of public policy to be submitted to the electors. “Independent expenditure committee” also includes any trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or other organization or group of persons that makes electioneering communications that are not made in connection, consultation, or concert with or at the request or suggestion of a public official or candidate, a public official’s or candidate’s designated political committee or campaign, or an agent or agents of the public official, candidate, or political committee or campaign during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 related to (i) the nomination for election, election, retention, or defeat of any public official or candidate or (ii) any question of public policy to be submitted to the voters.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.9) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.9)
Sec. 9-1.9. Election cycle. “Election cycle” means any of the following:

(1) For a candidate political committee organized to support a candidate to be elected at a general primary election or general election, (i) the period beginning January 1 following the general election for the office to which a candidate seeks nomination or election and ending on the day of the general primary election for that office or (ii) the period beginning the day after a general primary election for the office to which the candidate seeks nomination or election and through December 31 following the general election.

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for a candidate political committee organized to support a candidate for the General Assembly, (i) the period beginning January 1 following a general election and ending on the day of the next general primary election or (ii) the period beginning the day after the general primary election and ending on December 31 following a general election.

(3) For a candidate political committee organized to support a candidate for a retention election, (i) the period beginning January 1 following the general election at which the candidate was elected through the day the candidate files a declaration of intent to seek retention or (ii) the period beginning the day after the candidate files a declaration of intent to seek retention through December 31 following the retention election.

(4) For a candidate political committee organized to support a candidate to be elected at a consolidated primary election or consolidated election, (i) the period beginning July 1 following a consolidated election and ending on the day of the consolidated primary election or (ii) the period beginning the day after the consolidated primary election and ending on June 30 following a consolidated election.

(5) For a political party committee, political action committee, ballot initiative committee, or independent expenditure committee, the period beginning on January 1 and ending on December 31 of each calendar year.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11; 97-766, eff. 7-6-12.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.10) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.10)
Sec. 9-1.10. Public Office. “Public office” means any elective office or judicial office subject to retention.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.10b)
Sec. 9-1.10b. Severability. The provisions of this amendatory Act of 1995 are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.
(Source: P.A. 89-405, eff. 11-8-95.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.11) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.11)
Sec. 9-1.11. “Public official” means any person who is elected or appointed to public office.
(Source: P.A. 78-1183.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.12) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.12)
Sec. 9-1.12. Anything of value. “Anything of value” means any item, thing, service, or good, regardless of whether it may be valued in monetary terms according to ascertainable market value. Anything of value which does not have an ascertainable market value must be reported by describing the item, thing, service, or good contributed and by using the contributor’s certified market value required under Section 9-6.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.13) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.13)
Sec. 9-1.13. Transfer of funds. “Transfer of funds” means any conveyance of money from one political committee to another political committee.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.14)
Sec. 9-1.14. Electioneering communication.
(a) “Electioneering communication” means, for the purposes of this Article, any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication, including radio, television, or Internet communication, that (1) refers to (i) a clearly identified candidate or candidates who will appear on the ballot for nomination for election, election, or retention, (ii) a clearly identified political party, or (iii) a clearly identified question of public policy that will appear on the ballot, (2) is made within (i) 60 days before a general election or consolidated election or (ii) 30 days before a primary election, (3) is targeted to the relevant electorate, and (4) is susceptible to no reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a clearly identified candidate for nomination for election, election, or retention, a political party, or a question of public policy.

(b) “Electioneering communication” does not include:

(1) A communication, other than an advertisement, appearing in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any legitimate news organization, unless the facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate.

(2) A communication made solely to promote a candidate debate or forum that is made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum.

(3) A communication made as part of a non-partisan activity designed to encourage individuals to vote or to register to vote.

(4) A communication by an organization operating and remaining in good standing under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(5) A communication exclusively between a labor organization, as defined under federal or State law, and its members.

(6) A communication exclusively between an organization formed under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code and its members.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 7-1-10.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.15)
Sec. 9-1.15. Independent expenditure. “Independent expenditure” means any payment, gift, donation, or expenditure of funds (i) by a natural person or political committee for the purpose of making electioneering communications or of expressly advocating for or against the nomination for election, election, retention, or defeat of a clearly identifiable public official or candidate or for or against any question of public policy to be submitted to the voters and (ii) that is not made in connection, consultation, or concert with or at the request or suggestion of the public official or candidate, the public official’s or candidate’s designated political committee or campaign, or the agent or agents of the public official, candidate, or political committee or campaign.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 7-1-10; 97-766, eff. 7-6-12.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-2) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-2)
Sec. 9-2. Political committee designations.
(a) Every political committee shall be designated as a (i) candidate political committee, (ii) political party committee, (iii) political action committee, (iv) ballot initiative committee, or (v) independent expenditure committee.

(b) Beginning January 1, 2011, no public official or candidate for public office may maintain or establish more than one candidate political committee for each office that public official or candidate holds or is seeking. The name of each candidate political committee shall identify the name of the public official or candidate supported by the candidate political committee. If a candidate establishes separate candidate political committees for each public office, the name of each candidate political committee shall also include the public office to which the candidate seeks nomination for election, election, or retention. If a candidate establishes one candidate political committee for multiple offices elected at different elections, then the candidate shall designate an election cycle, as defined in Section 9-1.9, for purposes of contribution limitations and reporting requirements set forth in this Article. No political committee, other than a candidate political committee, may include the name of a candidate in its name.

(c) Beginning January 1, 2011, no State central committee of a political party, county central committee of a political party, committee formed by a ward or township committeeperson, or committee established for the purpose of electing candidates to the General Assembly may maintain or establish more than one political party committee. The name of the committee must include the name of the political party.

(d) Beginning January 1, 2011, no natural person, trust, partnership, committee, association, corporation, or other organization or group of persons forming a political action committee shall maintain or establish more than one political action committee. The name of a political action committee must include the name of the entity forming the committee. This subsection does not apply to independent expenditure committees.

(e) Beginning January 1, 2011, the name of a ballot initiative committee must include words describing the question of public policy and whether the group supports or opposes the question.

(f) Every political committee shall designate a chair and a treasurer. The same person may serve as both chair and treasurer of any political committee. A candidate who administers his own campaign contributions and expenditures shall be deemed a political committee for purposes of this Article and shall designate himself as chair, treasurer, or both chair and treasurer of such political committee. The treasurer of a political committee shall be responsible for keeping the records and filing the statements and reports required by this Article.

(g) No contribution and no expenditure shall be accepted or made by or on behalf of a political committee at a time when there is a vacancy in the office of chair or treasurer thereof. No expenditure shall be made for or on behalf of a political committee without the authorization of its chair or treasurer, or their designated agents.

(h) For purposes of implementing the changes made by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, every political committee in existence on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall make the designation required by this Section by December 31, 2010.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-3)
Sec. 9-3. Political committee statement of organization.
(a) Every political committee shall file with the State Board of Elections a statement of organization within 10 business days of the creation of such committee, except any political committee created within the 30 days before an election shall file a statement of organization within 2 business days in person, by facsimile transmission, or by electronic mail. Any change in information previously submitted in a statement of organization shall be reported, as required for the original statement of organization by this Section, within 10 days following that change. The Board shall impose a civil penalty of $50 per business day upon political committees for failing to file or late filing of a statement of organization. Such penalties shall not exceed $5,000, and shall not exceed $10,000 for statewide office political committees. There shall be no fine if the statement is mailed and postmarked at least 72 hours prior to the filing deadline.
In addition to the civil penalties authorized by this Section, the State Board of Elections or any other political committee may apply to the circuit court for a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction against the political committee to cease the expenditure of funds and to cease operations until the statement of organization is filed.
For the purpose of this Section, “statewide office” means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and State Comptroller.

(b) The statement of organization shall include:

(1) the name and address of the political committee and the designation required by Section 9-2;

(2) the scope, area of activity, party affiliation, and purposes of the political committee;

(3) the name, address, and position of each custodian of the committee’s books and accounts;

(4) the name, address, and position of the committee’s principal officers, including the chairman, treasurer, and officers and members of its finance committee, if any;

(5) the name and address of any sponsoring entity;

(6) a statement of what specific disposition of residual fund will be made in the event of the dissolution or termination of the committee;

(7) a listing of all banks or other financial institutions, safety deposit boxes, and any other repositories or custodians of funds used by the committee; and

(8) the amount of funds available for campaign expenditures as of the filing date of the committee’s statement of organization.
For purposes of this Section, a “sponsoring entity” is (i) any person, organization, corporation, or association that contributes at least 33% of the total funding of the political committee or (ii) any person or other entity that is registered or is required to register under the Lobbyist Registration Act and contributes at least 33% of the total funding of the political committee.

(c) Each statement of organization required to be filed in accordance with this Section shall be verified, dated, and signed by either the treasurer of the political committee making the statement or the candidate on whose behalf the statement is made and shall contain substantially the following verification:

“VERIFICATION:

I declare that this statement of organization (including any accompanying schedules and statements) has been examined by me and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is a true, correct, and complete statement of organization as required by Article 9 of the Election Code. I understand that willfully filing a false or incomplete statement is subject to a civil penalty of at least $1,001 and up to $5,000.
……………. ……………………………………
(date of filing) (signature of person making the statement)”.

(d) The statement of organization for a ballot initiative committee also shall include a verification signed by the chairperson of the committee that (i) the committee is formed for the purpose of supporting or opposing a question of public policy, (ii) all contributions and expenditures of the committee will be used for the purpose described in the statement of organization, (iii) the committee may accept unlimited contributions from any source, provided that the ballot initiative committee does not make contributions or expenditures in support of or opposition to a candidate or candidates for nomination for election, election, or retention, and (iv) failure to abide by these requirements shall deem the committee in violation of this Article.

(d-5) The statement of organization for an independent expenditure committee also shall include a verification signed by the chairperson of the committee that (i) the committee is formed for the exclusive purpose of making independent expenditures, (ii) all contributions and expenditures of the committee will be used for the purpose described in the statement of organization, (iii) the committee may accept unlimited contributions from any source, provided that the independent expenditure committee does not make contributions to any candidate political committee, political party committee, or political action committee, and (iv) failure to abide by these requirements shall deem the committee in violation of this Article.

(e) For purposes of implementing the changes made by this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, every political committee in existence on the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly shall file the statement required by this Section with the Board by December 31, 2010.
(Source: P.A. 99-522, eff. 6-30-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-4)
Sec. 9-4. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 93-615, eff. 11-19-03. Repealed by P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-5)
Sec. 9-5. Dissolved or inactive committee. Any political committee which, after having filed a statement of organization, dissolves as a political committee or determines that it will no longer receive any campaign contributions nor make any campaign expenditures shall notify the Board of that fact and file with the Board a final report with respect to its contributions and expenditures, including the final disposition of its funds and assets.
In the event that a political committee dissolves, all contributions in its possession, after payment of the committee’s outstanding liabilities, including staff salaries, shall be refunded to the contributors in amounts not exceeding their individual contributions, or transferred to other political or charitable organizations consistent with the positions of the committee or the candidates it represented. In no case shall these funds be used for the personal aggrandizement of any committee member or campaign worker.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-6)
Sec. 9-6. Accounting for contributions.
(a) A person who collects or accepts a contribution for a political committee shall, within 5 days after receipt of such contribution, submit to the treasurer a detailed account of the contribution, including (i) the amount, (ii) the name and address of the person making such contribution, (iii) the date on which the contribution was received, and (iv) the name and address of the person collecting or accepting the contribution for the political committee. A political committee shall disclose on the quarterly statement the name, address, and occupation of any person who collects or accepts contributions from at least 5 persons in the aggregate of $3,000 or more outside of the presence of a candidate or not in connection with a fundraising event sanctioned or coordinated by the political committee during a reporting period. This subsection does not apply to a person who is an officer of the committee, a compensated employee, a person authorized by an officer or the candidate of a committee to accept contributions on behalf of the committee, or an entity used for processing financial transactions by credit card or other means.

(b) Within 5 business days of contributing goods or services to a political committee, the contributor shall submit to the treasurer a detailed account of the contribution, including (i) the name and address of the person making the contribution, (ii) a description and market value of the goods or services, and (iii) the date on which the contribution was made.

(c) All funds of a political committee shall be segregated from, and may not be commingled with, any personal funds of officers, members, or associates of such committee.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-7)
Sec. 9-7. Records and accounts.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the treasurer of a political committee shall keep a detailed and exact account of-

(a) the total of all contributions made to or for the committee;

(b) the full name and mailing address of every person making a contribution and the date and amount thereof;

(c) the total of all expenditures made by or on behalf of the committee;

(d) the full name and mailing address of every person to whom any expenditure is made, and the date and amount thereof;

(e) proof of payment, stating the particulars, for every expenditure made by or on behalf of the committee.
The treasurer shall preserve all records and accounts required by this section for a period of 2 years.

(2) The treasurer of a political committee shall keep a detailed and exact account of the total amount of contributions made to or for a committee at an event licensed under Section 8.1 of the Raffles and Poker Runs Act. For an event licensed under Section 8.1, the treasurer is not required to keep a detailed and exact account of the full name and mailing address of a person who purchases tickets at the event in an amount that does not exceed $150.
(Source: P.A. 97-766, eff. 7-6-12; 98-644, eff. 6-10-14.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-7.5)
Sec. 9-7.5. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05. Repealed by P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-8)
Sec. 9-8. Any political committee which solicits or receives contributions or makes expenditures on behalf of any candidate that is not authorized in writing by such candidate to do so shall include a notice on the face or front page of all literature and advertisements published and following all commercials broadcast, that are authorized by the committee and that mention the candidate, stating that the committee is not authorized by such candidate and that such candidate is not responsible for the activities of such committee.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-8.5)
Sec. 9-8.5. Limitations on campaign contributions.
(a) It is unlawful for a political committee to accept contributions except as provided in this Section.

(b) During an election cycle, a candidate political committee may not accept contributions with an aggregate value over the following: (i) $5,000 from any individual, (ii) $10,000 from any corporation, labor organization, or association, or (iii) $50,000 from a candidate political committee or political action committee. A candidate political committee may accept contributions in any amount from a political party committee except during an election cycle in which the candidate seeks nomination at a primary election. During an election cycle in which the candidate seeks nomination at a primary election, a candidate political committee may not accept contributions from political party committees with an aggregate value over the following: (i) $200,000 for a candidate political committee established to support a candidate seeking nomination to statewide office, (ii) $125,000 for a candidate political committee established to support a candidate seeking nomination to the Senate, the Supreme Court or Appellate Court in the First Judicial District, or an office elected by all voters in a county with 1,000,000 or more residents, (iii) $75,000 for a candidate political committee established to support a candidate seeking nomination to the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court or Appellate Court for a Judicial District other than the First Judicial District, an office elected by all voters of a county of fewer than 1,000,000 residents, and municipal and county offices in Cook County other than those elected by all voters of Cook County, and (iv) $50,000 for a candidate political committee established to support the nomination of a candidate to any other office. A candidate political committee established to elect a candidate to the General Assembly may accept contributions from only one legislative caucus committee. A candidate political committee may not accept contributions from a ballot initiative committee or from an independent expenditure committee.

(c) During an election cycle, a political party committee may not accept contributions with an aggregate value over the following: (i) $10,000 from any individual, (ii) $20,000 from any corporation, labor organization, or association, or (iii) $50,000 from a political action committee. A political party committee may accept contributions in any amount from another political party committee or a candidate political committee, except as provided in subsection (c-5). Nothing in this Section shall limit the amounts that may be transferred between a political party committee established under subsection (a) of Section 7-8 of this Code and an affiliated federal political committee established under the Federal Election Code by the same political party. A political party committee may not accept contributions from a ballot initiative committee or from an independent expenditure committee. A political party committee established by a legislative caucus may not accept contributions from another political party committee established by a legislative caucus.

(c-5) During the period beginning on the date candidates may begin circulating petitions for a primary election and ending on the day of the primary election, a political party committee may not accept contributions with an aggregate value over $50,000 from a candidate political committee or political party committee. A political party committee may accept contributions in any amount from a candidate political committee or political party committee if the political party committee receiving the contribution filed a statement of nonparticipation in the primary as provided in subsection (c-10). The Task Force on Campaign Finance Reform shall study and make recommendations on the provisions of this subsection to the Governor and General Assembly by September 30, 2012. This subsection becomes inoperative on July 1, 2013 and thereafter no longer applies.

(c-10) A political party committee that does not intend to make contributions to candidates to be nominated at a general primary election or consolidated primary election may file a Statement of Nonparticipation in a Primary Election with the Board. The Statement of Nonparticipation shall include a verification signed by the chairperson and treasurer of the committee that (i) the committee will not make contributions or coordinated expenditures in support of or opposition to a candidate or candidates to be nominated at the general primary election or consolidated primary election (select one) to be held on (insert date), (ii) the political party committee may accept unlimited contributions from candidate political committees and political party committees, provided that the political party committee does not make contributions to a candidate or candidates to be nominated at the primary election, and (iii) failure to abide by these requirements shall deem the political party committee in violation of this Article and subject the committee to a fine of no more than 150% of the total contributions or coordinated expenditures made by the committee in violation of this Article. This subsection becomes inoperative on July 1, 2013 and thereafter no longer applies.

(d) During an election cycle, a political action committee may not accept contributions with an aggregate value over the following: (i) $10,000 from any individual, (ii) $20,000 from any corporation, labor organization, political party committee, or association, or (iii) $50,000 from a political action committee or candidate political committee. A political action committee may not accept contributions from a ballot initiative committee or from an independent expenditure committee.

(e) A ballot initiative committee may accept contributions in any amount from any source, provided that the committee files the document required by Section 9-3 of this Article and files the disclosure reports required by the provisions of this Article.

(e-5) An independent expenditure committee may accept contributions in any amount from any source, provided that the committee files the document required by Section 9-3 of this Article and files the disclosure reports required by the provisions of this Article.

(f) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a political committee from dividing the proceeds of joint fundraising efforts; provided that no political committee may receive more than the limit from any one contributor, and provided that an independent expenditure committee may not conduct joint fundraising efforts with a candidate political committee or a political party committee.

(g) On January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the State Board of Elections shall adjust the amounts of the contribution limitations established in this Section for inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers as issued by the United States Department of Labor and rounded to the nearest $100. The State Board shall publish this information on its official website.

(h) Self-funding candidates. If a public official, a candidate, or the public official’s or candidate’s immediate family contributes or loans to the public official’s or candidate’s political committee or to other political committees that transfer funds to the public official’s or candidate’s political committee or makes independent expenditures for the benefit of the public official’s or candidate’s campaign during the 12 months prior to an election in an aggregate amount of more than (i) $250,000 for statewide office or (ii) $100,000 for all other elective offices, then the public official or candidate shall file with the State Board of Elections, within one day, a Notification of Self-funding that shall detail each contribution or loan made by the public official, the candidate, or the public official’s or candidate’s immediate family. Within 2 business days after the filing of a Notification of Self-funding, the notification shall be posted on the Board’s website and the Board shall give official notice of the filing to each candidate for the same office as the public official or candidate making the filing, including the public official or candidate filing the Notification of Self-funding. Notice shall be sent via first class mail to the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate’s committee. Notice shall also be sent by e-mail to the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate’s committee if the candidate and the treasurer, as applicable, have provided the Board with an e-mail address. Upon posting of the notice on the Board’s website, all candidates for that office, including the public official or candidate who filed a Notification of Self-funding, shall be permitted to accept contributions in excess of any contribution limits imposed by subsection (b). If a public official or candidate filed a Notification of Self-funding during an election cycle that includes a general primary election or consolidated primary election and that public official or candidate is nominated, all candidates for that office, including the nominee who filed the notification of self-funding, shall be permitted to accept contributions in excess of any contribution limit imposed by subsection (b) for the subsequent election cycle. For the purposes of this subsection, “immediate family” means the spouse, parent, or child of a public official or candidate.

(h-5) If a natural person or independent expenditure committee makes independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to the campaign of a particular public official or candidate in an aggregate amount of more than (i) $250,000 for statewide office or (ii) $100,000 for all other elective offices in an election cycle, as reported in a written disclosure filed under subsection (a) of Section 9-8.6 or subsection (e-5) of Section 9-10, then the State Board of Elections shall, within 2 business days after the filing of the disclosure, post the disclosure on the Board’s website and give official notice of the disclosure to each candidate for the same office as the public official or candidate for whose benefit or detriment the natural person or independent expenditure committee made independent expenditures. Upon posting of the notice on the Board’s website, all candidates for that office in that election, including the public official or candidate for whose benefit or detriment the natural person or independent expenditure committee made independent expenditures, shall be permitted to accept contributions in excess of any contribution limits imposed by subsection (b).

(h-10) If the State Board of Elections receives notification or determines that a natural person or persons, an independent expenditure committee or committees, or combination thereof has made independent expenditures in support of or in opposition to the campaign of a particular public official or candidate in an aggregate amount of more than (i) $250,000 for statewide office or (ii) $100,000 for all other elective offices in an election cycle, then the Board shall, within 2 business days after discovering the independent expenditures that, in the aggregate, exceed the threshold set forth in (i) and (ii) of this subsection, post notice of this fact on the Board’s website and give official notice to each candidate for the same office as the public official or candidate for whose benefit or detriment the independent expenditures were made. Notice shall be sent via first class mail to the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate’s committee. Notice shall also be sent by e-mail to the candidate and the treasurer of the candidate’s committee if the candidate and the treasurer, as applicable, have provided the Board with an e-mail address. Upon posting of the notice on the Board’s website, all candidates of that office in that election, including the public official or candidate for whose benefit or detriment the independent expenditures were made, may accept contributions in excess of any contribution limits imposed by subsection (b).

(i) For the purposes of this Section, a corporation, labor organization, association, or a political action committee established by a corporation, labor organization, or association may act as a conduit in facilitating the delivery to a political action committee of contributions made through dues, levies, or similar assessments and the political action committee may report the contributions in the aggregate, provided that: (i) contributions made through dues, levies, or similar assessments paid by any natural person, corporation, labor organization, or association in a calendar year may not exceed the limits set forth in this Section; (ii) the corporation, labor organization, association, or a political action committee established by a corporation, labor organization, or association facilitating the delivery of contributions maintains a list of natural persons, corporations, labor organizations, and associations that paid the dues, levies, or similar assessments from which the contributions comprising the aggregate amount derive; and (iii) contributions made through dues, levies, or similar assessments paid by any natural person, corporation, labor organization, or association that exceed $500 in a quarterly reporting period shall be itemized on the committee’s quarterly report and may not be reported in the aggregate. A political action committee facilitating the delivery of contributions or receiving contributions shall disclose the amount of contributions made through dues delivered or received and the name of the corporation, labor organization, association, or political action committee delivering the contributions, if applicable. On January 1 of each odd-numbered year, the State Board of Elections shall adjust the amounts of the contribution limitations established in this subsection for inflation as determined by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers as issued by the United States Department of Labor and rounded to the nearest $100. The State Board shall publish this information on its official website.

(j) A political committee that receives a contribution or transfer in violation of this Section shall dispose of the contribution or transfer by returning the contribution or transfer, or an amount equal to the contribution or transfer, to the contributor or transferor or donating the contribution or transfer, or an amount equal to the contribution or transfer, to a charity. A contribution or transfer received in violation of this Section that is not disposed of as provided in this subsection within 30 days after the Board sends notification to the political committee of the excess contribution by certified mail shall escheat to the General Revenue Fund and the political committee shall be deemed in violation of this Section and subject to a civil penalty not to exceed 150% of the total amount of the contribution.

(k) For the purposes of this Section, “statewide office” means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer.

(l) This Section is repealed if and when the United States Supreme Court invalidates contribution limits on committees formed to assist candidates, political parties, corporations, associations, or labor organizations established by or pursuant to federal law.
(Source: P.A. 97-766, eff. 7-6-12; 98-115, eff. 7-29-13.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-8.6)
Sec. 9-8.6. Independent expenditures.
(a) An independent expenditure is not considered a contribution to a political committee. An expenditure made by a natural person or political committee for an electioneering communication in connection, consultation, or concert with or at the request or suggestion of the public official or candidate, the public official’s or candidate’s candidate political committee, or the agent or agents of the public official, candidate, or political committee or campaign shall not be considered an independent expenditure but rather shall be considered a contribution to the public official’s or candidate’s candidate political committee.
A natural person who makes an independent expenditure supporting or opposing a public official or candidate that, alone or in combination with any other independent expenditure made by that natural person supporting or opposing that public official or candidate during any 12-month period, equals an aggregate value of at least $3,000 must file a written disclosure with the State Board of Elections within 2 business days after making any expenditure that results in the natural person meeting or exceeding the $3,000 threshold. A natural person who has made a written disclosure with the State Board of Elections shall have a continuing obligation to report further expenditures in relation to the same election, in $1,000 increments, to the State Board until the conclusion of that election. A natural person who makes an independent expenditure supporting or opposing a public official or candidate that, alone or in combination with any other independent expenditure made by that natural person supporting or opposing that public official or candidate during the election cycle, equals an aggregate value of more than (i) $250,000 for statewide office or (ii) $100,000 for all other elective offices must file a written disclosure with the State Board of Elections within 2 business days after making any expenditure that results in the natural person exceeding the applicable threshold. Each disclosure must identify the natural person, the public official or candidate supported or opposed, the date, amount, and nature of each independent expenditure, and the natural person’s occupation and employer.

(b) Any entity other than a natural person that makes expenditures of any kind in an aggregate amount exceeding $3,000 during any 12-month period supporting or opposing a public official or candidate must organize as a political committee in accordance with this Article.

(c) Every political committee that makes independent expenditures must report all such independent expenditures as required under Section 9-10 of this Article.

(d) In the event that a political committee organized as an independent expenditure committee makes a contribution to any other political committee other than another independent expenditure committee or a ballot initiative committee, the State Board shall assess a fine equal to the amount of any contribution received in the preceding 2 years by the independent expenditure committee that exceeded the limits for a political action committee set forth in subsection (d) of Section 9-8.5.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 7-1-10; 97-766, eff. 7-6-12.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-8.10)
Sec. 9-8.10. Use of political committee and other reporting organization funds.
(a) A political committee shall not make expenditures:

(1) In violation of any law of the United States or of this State.

(2) Clearly in excess of the fair market value of the services, materials, facilities, or other things of value received in exchange.

(3) For satisfaction or repayment of any debts other than loans made to the committee or to the public official or candidate on behalf of the committee or repayment of goods and services purchased by the committee under a credit agreement. Nothing in this Section authorizes the use of campaign funds to repay personal loans. The repayments shall be made by check written to the person who made the loan or credit agreement. The terms and conditions of any loan or credit agreement to a committee shall be set forth in a written agreement, including but not limited to the method and amount of repayment, that shall be executed by the chair or treasurer of the committee at the time of the loan or credit agreement. The loan or agreement shall also set forth the rate of interest for the loan, if any, which may not substantially exceed the prevailing market interest rate at the time the agreement is executed.

(4) For the satisfaction or repayment of any debts or for the payment of any expenses relating to a personal residence. Campaign funds may not be used as collateral for home mortgages.

(5) For clothing or personal laundry expenses, except clothing items rented by the public official or candidate for his or her own use exclusively for a specific campaign-related event, provided that committees may purchase costumes, novelty items, or other accessories worn primarily to advertise the candidacy.

(6) For the travel expenses of any person unless the travel is necessary for fulfillment of political, governmental, or public policy duties, activities, or purposes.

(7) For membership or club dues charged by organizations, clubs, or facilities that are primarily engaged in providing health, exercise, or recreational services; provided, however, that funds received under this Article may be used to rent the clubs or facilities for a specific campaign-related event.

(8) In payment for anything of value or for reimbursement of any expenditure for which any person has been reimbursed by the State or any person. For purposes of this item (8), a per diem allowance is not a reimbursement.

(9) For the purchase of or installment payment for a motor vehicle unless the political committee can demonstrate that purchase of a motor vehicle is more cost-effective than leasing a motor vehicle as permitted under this item (9). A political committee may lease or purchase and insure, maintain, and repair a motor vehicle if the vehicle will be used primarily for campaign purposes or for the performance of governmental duties. A committee shall not make expenditures for use of the vehicle for non-campaign or non-governmental purposes. Persons using vehicles not purchased or leased by a political committee may be reimbursed for actual mileage for the use of the vehicle for campaign purposes or for the performance of governmental duties. The mileage reimbursements shall be made at a rate not to exceed the standard mileage rate method for computation of business expenses under the Internal Revenue Code.

(10) Directly for an individual’s tuition or other educational expenses, except for governmental or political purposes directly related to a candidate’s or public official’s duties and responsibilities.

(11) For payments to a public official or candidate or his or her family member unless for compensation for services actually rendered by that person. The provisions of this item (11) do not apply to expenditures by a political committee in an aggregate amount not exceeding the amount of funds reported to and certified by the State Board or county clerk as available as of June 30, 1998, in the semi-annual report of contributions and expenditures filed by the political committee for the period concluding June 30, 1998.

(b) The Board shall have the authority to investigate, upon receipt of a verified complaint, violations of the provisions of this Section. The Board may levy a fine on any person who knowingly makes expenditures in violation of this Section and on any person who knowingly makes a malicious and false accusation of a violation of this Section. The Board may act under this subsection only upon the affirmative vote of at least 5 of its members. The fine shall not exceed $500 for each expenditure of $500 or less and shall not exceed the amount of the expenditure plus $500 for each expenditure greater than $500. The Board shall also have the authority to render rulings and issue opinions relating to compliance with this Section.

(c) Nothing in this Section prohibits the expenditure of funds of a political committee controlled by an officeholder or by a candidate to defray the customary and reasonable expenses of an officeholder in connection with the performance of governmental and public service functions.

(d) Nothing in this Section prohibits the funds of a political committee which is controlled by a person convicted of a violation of any of the offenses listed in subsection (a) of Section 10 of the Public Corruption Profit Forfeiture Act from being forfeited to the State under Section 15 of the Public Corruption Profit Forfeiture Act.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-8.15)
Sec. 9-8.15. Contributions on State property. In addition to any other provision of this Code, the solicitation, acceptance, offer, and making of contributions on State property by public officials, State employees, candidates for elective office, and others are subject to the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act. If a political committee receives and retains a contribution that is in violation of Section 5-35 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, then the State Board may impose a civil penalty upon that political committee in an amount equal to 100% of that contribution.
(Source: P.A. 93-615, eff. 11-19-03.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-9)
Sec. 9-9. Any political committee shall include on all literature and advertisements soliciting funds the following notice:
“A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available on the Board’s official website (insert the current website address) or for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois.”
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-9.5)
Sec. 9-9.5. Disclosures in political communications.
(a) Any political committee, organized under the Election Code, that makes an expenditure for a pamphlet, circular, handbill, Internet or telephone communication, radio, television, or print advertisement, or other communication directed at voters and mentioning the name of a candidate in the next upcoming election shall ensure that the name of the political committee paying for any part of the communication, including, but not limited to, its preparation and distribution, is identified clearly within the communication as the payor. This subsection does not apply to items that are too small to contain the required disclosure. This subsection does not apply to an expenditure for the preparation, distribution, or publication of any communication directed at constituents of a member of the General Assembly if the expenditure is made by a political committee in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 9-8.10. Nothing in this subsection shall require disclosure on any telephone communication using random sampling or other scientific survey methods to gauge public opinion for or against any candidate or question of public policy.
Whenever any vendor or other person provides any of the services listed in this subsection, other than any telephone communication using random sampling or other scientific survey methods to gauge public opinion for or against any candidate or question of public policy, the vendor or person shall keep and maintain records showing the name and address of the person who purchased or requested the services and the amount paid for the services. The records required by this subsection shall be kept for a period of one year after the date upon which payment was received for the services.

(b) Any political committee, organized under this Code, that makes an expenditure for a pamphlet, circular, handbill, Internet or telephone communication, radio, television, or print advertisement, or other communication directed at voters and (i) mentioning the name of a candidate in the next upcoming election, without that candidate’s permission, or (ii) advocating for or against a public policy position shall ensure that the name of the political committee paying for any part of the communication, including, but not limited to, its preparation and distribution, is identified clearly within the communication. Nothing in this subsection shall require disclosure on any telephone communication using random sampling or other scientific survey methods to gauge public opinion for or against any candidate or question of public policy.

(c) A political committee organized under this Code shall not make an expenditure for any unsolicited telephone call to the line of a residential telephone customer in this State using any method to block or otherwise circumvent that customer’s use of a caller identification service.
(Source: P.A. 98-115, eff. 7-29-13; 98-691, eff. 7-1-14.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-10)
Sec. 9-10. Disclosure of contributions and expenditures.
(a) The treasurer of every political committee shall file with the Board reports of campaign contributions and expenditures as required by this Section on forms to be prescribed or approved by the Board.

(b) Every political committee shall file quarterly reports of campaign contributions, expenditures, and independent expenditures. The reports shall cover the period January 1 through March 31, April 1 through June 30, July 1 through September 30, and October 1 through December 31 of each year. A political committee shall file quarterly reports no later than the 15th day of the month following each period. Reports of contributions and expenditures must be filed to cover the prescribed time periods even though no contributions or expenditures may have been received or made during the period. The Board shall assess a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for failure to file a report required by this subsection. The fine, however, shall not exceed $1,000 for a first violation if the committee files less than 10 days after the deadline. There shall be no fine if the report is mailed and postmarked at least 72 hours prior to the filing deadline. When considering the amount of the fine to be imposed, the Board shall consider whether the violation was committed inadvertently, negligently, knowingly, or intentionally and any past violations of this Section.

(c) A political committee shall file a report of any contribution of $1,000 or more electronically with the Board within 5 business days after receipt of the contribution, except that the report shall be filed within 2 business days after receipt if (i) the contribution is received 30 or fewer days before the date of an election and (ii) the political committee supports or opposes a candidate or public question on the ballot at that election or makes expenditures in excess of $500 on behalf of or in opposition to a candidate, candidates, a public question, or public questions on the ballot at that election. The State Board shall allow filings of reports of contributions of $1,000 or more by political committees that are not required to file electronically to be made by facsimile transmission. The Board shall assess a civil penalty for failure to file a report required by this subsection. Failure to report each contribution is a separate violation of this subsection. The Board shall impose fines for willful or wanton violations of this subsection (c) not to exceed 150% of the total amount of the contributions that were untimely reported, but in no case shall it be less than 10% of the total amount of the contributions that were untimely reported. When considering the amount of the fine to be imposed for willful or wanton violations, the Board shall consider the number of days the contribution was reported late and past violations of this Section and Section 9-3. The Board may impose a fine for negligent or inadvertent violations of this subsection not to exceed 50% of the total amount of the contributions that were untimely reported, or the Board may waive the fine. When considering whether to impose a fine and the amount of the fine, the Board shall consider the following factors: (1) whether the political committee made an attempt to disclose the contribution and any attempts made to correct the violation, (2) whether the violation is attributed to a clerical or computer error, (3) the amount of the contribution, (4) whether the violation arose from a discrepancy between the date the contribution was reported transferred by a political committee and the date the contribution was received by a political committee, (5) the number of days the contribution was reported late, and (6) past violations of this Section and Section 9-3 by the political committee.

(d) For the purpose of this Section, a contribution is considered received on the date (i) a monetary contribution was deposited in a bank, financial institution, or other repository of funds for the committee, (ii) the date a committee receives notice a monetary contribution was deposited by an entity used to process financial transactions by credit card or other entity used for processing a monetary contribution that was deposited in a bank, financial institution, or other repository of funds for the committee, or (iii) the public official, candidate, or political committee receives the notification of contribution of goods or services as required under subsection (b) of Section 9-6.

(e) A political committee that makes independent expenditures of $1,000 or more shall file a report electronically with the Board within 5 business days after making the independent expenditure, except that the report shall be filed within 2 business days after making the independent expenditure during the 60-day period before an election.

(e-5) An independent expenditure committee that makes an independent expenditure supporting or opposing a public official or candidate that, alone or in combination with any other independent expenditure made by that independent expenditure committee supporting or opposing that public official or candidate during the election cycle, equals an aggregate value of more than (i) $250,000 for statewide office or (ii) $100,000 for all other elective offices must file a written disclosure with the State Board of Elections within 2 business days after making any expenditure that results in the independent expenditure committee exceeding the applicable threshold. The Board shall assess a civil penalty against an independent expenditure committee for failure to file the disclosure required by this subsection not to exceed (i) $500 for an initial failure to file the required disclosure and (ii) $1,000 for each subsequent failure to file the required disclosure.

(f) A copy of each report or statement filed under this Article shall be preserved by the person filing it for a period of two years from the date of filing.
(Source: P.A. 99-437, eff. 1-1-16.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-11) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-11)
Sec. 9-11. Financial reports.
(a) Each quarterly report of campaign contributions, expenditures, and independent expenditures under Section 9-10 shall disclose the following:

(1) the name and address of the political committee;

(2) the name and address of the person submitting the report on behalf of the committee, if other than the chair or treasurer;

(3) the amount of funds on hand at the beginning of the reporting period;

(4) the full name and mailing address of each person who has made one or more contributions to or for the committee within the reporting period in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150, together with the amounts and dates of those contributions, and, if the contributor is an individual who contributed more than $500, the occupation and employer of the contributor or, if the occupation and employer of the contributor are unknown, a statement that the committee has made a good faith effort to ascertain this information;

(5) the total sum of individual contributions made to or for the committee during the reporting period and not reported under item (4);

(6) the name and address of each political committee from which the reporting committee received, or to which that committee made, any transfer of funds in the aggregate amount or value in excess of $150, together with the amounts and dates of all transfers;

(7) the total sum of transfers made to or from the committee during the reporting period and not reported under item (6);

(8) each loan to or from any person, political committee, or financial institution within the reporting period by or to the committee in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150, together with the full names and mailing addresses of the lender and endorsers, if any; the dates and amounts of the loans; and, if a lender or endorser is an individual who loaned or endorsed a loan of more than $500, the occupation and employer of that individual or, if the occupation and employer of the individual are unknown, a statement that the committee has made a good faith effort to ascertain this information;

(9) the total amount of proceeds received by the committee from (i) the sale of tickets for each dinner, luncheon, cocktail party, rally, and other fund-raising events; (ii) mass collections made at those events; and (iii) sales of items such as political campaign pins, buttons, badges, flags, emblems, hats, banners, literature, and similar materials;

(10) each contribution, rebate, refund, income from investments, or other receipt in excess of $150 received by the committee not otherwise listed under items (4) through (9) and, if the contributor is an individual who contributed more than $500, the occupation and employer of the contributor or, if the occupation and employer of the contributor are unknown, a statement that the committee has made a good faith effort to ascertain this information;

(11) the total sum of all receipts by or for the committee or candidate during the reporting period;

(12) the full name and mailing address of each person to whom expenditures have been made by the committee or candidate within the reporting period in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150; the amount, date, and purpose of each of those expenditures; and the question of public policy or the name and address of, and the office sought by, each candidate on whose behalf that expenditure was made;

(13) the full name and mailing address of each person to whom an expenditure for personal services, salaries, and reimbursed expenses in excess of $150 has been made and that is not otherwise reported, including the amount, date, and purpose of the expenditure;

(14) the value of each asset held as an investment, as of the final day of the reporting period;

(15) the total sum of expenditures made by the committee during the reporting period; and

(16) the full name and mailing address of each person to whom the committee owes debts or obligations in excess of $150 and the amount of those debts or obligations.
For purposes of reporting campaign receipts and expenses, income from investments shall be included as receipts during the reporting period they are actually received. The gross purchase price of each investment shall be reported as an expenditure at time of purchase. Net proceeds from the sale of an investment shall be reported as a receipt. During the period investments are held they shall be identified by name and quantity of security or instrument on each semi-annual report during the period.

(b) Each report of a campaign contribution of $1,000 or more required under subsection (c) of Section 9-10 shall disclose the following:

(1) the name and address of the political committee;

(2) the name and address of the person submitting the report on behalf of the committee, if other than the chair or treasurer; and

(3) the full name and mailing address of each person who has made a contribution of $1,000 or more.

(c) Each quarterly report shall include the following information regarding any independent expenditures made during the reporting period: (1) the full name and mailing address of each person to whom an expenditure in excess of $150 has been made in connection with an independent expenditure; (2) the amount, date, and purpose of such expenditure; (3) a statement whether the independent expenditure was in support of or in opposition to a particular candidate; (4) the name of the candidate; (5) the office and, when applicable, district, sought by the candidate; and (6) a certification, under penalty of perjury, that such expenditure was not made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, any candidate or any authorized committee or agent of such committee. The report shall also include (I) the total of all independent expenditures of $150 or less made during the reporting period and (II) the total amount of all independent expenditures made during the reporting period.

(d) The Board shall by rule define a “good faith effort”.
The reports of campaign contributions filed under this Article shall be cumulative during the reporting period to which they relate.

(e) Each report shall be verified, dated, and signed by either the treasurer of the political committee or the candidate on whose behalf the report is filed and shall contain the following verification:

“I declare that this report (including any accompanying schedules and statements) has been examined by me and, to the best of my knowledge and belief, is a true, correct, and complete report as required by Article 9 of the Election Code. I understand that willfully filing a false or incomplete statement is subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000.”.

(f) A political committee may amend a report filed under subsection (a) or (b). The Board may reduce or waive a fine if the amendment is due to a technical or inadvertent error and the political committee files the amended report, except that a report filed under subsection (b) must be amended within 5 business days. The State Board shall ensure that a description of the amended information is available to the public. The Board may promulgate rules to enforce this subsection.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-12) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-12)
Sec. 9-12. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 90-737, eff. 1-1-99. Repealed by P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-13)
Sec. 9-13. Audits of political committees.
(a) The Board shall have the authority to order a political committee to conduct an audit of the financial records required to be maintained by the committee to ensure compliance with Sections 9-8.5 and 9-10. Audits ordered by the Board shall be conducted as provided in this Section and as provided by Board rule.

(b) The Board may order a political committee to conduct an audit of its financial records for any of the following reasons: (i) a discrepancy between the ending balance of a reporting period and the beginning balance of the next reporting period, (ii) failure to account for previously reported investments or loans, or (iii) a discrepancy between reporting contributions received by or expenditures made for a political committee that are reported by another political committee, except the Board shall not order an audit pursuant to this item (iii) unless there is a willful pattern of inaccurate reporting or there is a pattern of similar inaccurate reporting involving similar contributions by the same contributor. Prior to ordering an audit, the Board shall afford the political committee due notice and an opportunity for a closed preliminary hearing. A political committee shall hire an entity qualified to perform an audit; except, a political committee shall not hire a person that has contributed to the political committee during the previous 4 years.

(c) In each calendar year, the Board shall randomly order no more than 3% of registered political committees to conduct an audit. The Board shall establish a standard, scientific method of selecting the political committees that are to be audited so that every political committee has an equal mathematical chance of being selected.

(d) Upon receipt of notification from the Board ordering an audit, a political committee shall conduct an audit of the financial records required to be maintained by the committee to ensure compliance with the contribution limitations established in Section 9-8.5 and the reporting requirements established in Section 9-3 and Section 9-10 for a period of 2 years from the close of the most recent reporting period or the period since the committee was previously ordered to conduct an audit, whichever is shorter. The entity performing the audit shall review the amount of funds and investments maintained by the political committee and ensure the financial records accurately account for any contributions and expenditures made by the political committee. A certified copy of the audit shall be delivered to the Board within 60 calendar days after receipt of notice from the Board, unless the Board grants an extension to complete the audit. A political committee ordered to conduct an audit through the random selection process shall not be required to conduct another audit for a minimum of 5 years unless the Board has reason to believe the political committee is in violation of Section 9-3, 9-8.5, or 9-10.

(e) The Board shall not disclose the name of any political committee ordered to conduct an audit or any documents in possession of the Board related to an audit unless, after review of the audit findings, the Board has reason to believe the political committee is in violation of Section 9-3, 9-8.5, or 9-10 and the Board imposed a fine.

(f) Failure to deliver a certified audit in a timely manner is a business offense punishable by a fine of $250 per day that the audit is late, up to a maximum of $5,000.
(Source: P.A. 100-784, eff. 8-10-18.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-14) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-14)
Sec. 9-14. (Repealed).
(Source: P.A. 90-737, eff. 1-1-99. Repealed by P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-15)
Sec. 9-15. It shall be the duty of the Board-
(1) to develop prescribed forms for filing statements of organization and required reports;

(2) to prepare, publish, and furnish to the appropriate persons a manual of instructions setting forth recommended uniform methods of bookkeeping and reporting under this Article;

(3) to prescribe suitable rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Article. Such rules and regulations shall be published and made available to the public;

(4) to send by first class mail, after the general primary election in even numbered years, to the chair of each regularly constituted State central committee, county central committee and, in counties with a population of more than 3,000,000, to the committeepersons of each township and ward organization of each political party notice of their obligations under this Article, along with a form for filing the statement of organization;

(5) to promptly make all reports and statements filed under this Article available for public inspection and copying no later than 2 business days after their receipt and to permit copying of any such report or statement at the expense of the person requesting the copy;

(6) to develop a filing, coding, and cross-indexing system consistent with the purposes of this Article;

(7) to compile and maintain a list of all statements or parts of statements pertaining to each candidate;

(8) to prepare and publish such reports as the Board may deem appropriate;

(9) to annually notify each political committee that has filed a statement of organization with the Board of the filing dates for each quarterly report, provided that such notification shall be made by first-class mail unless the political committee opts to receive notification electronically via email; and

(10) to promptly send, by first class mail directed only to the officers of a political committee, and by certified mail to the address of the political committee, written notice of any fine or penalty assessed or imposed against the political committee under this Article.
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-16)
Sec. 9-16. It shall be the duty of the board and of each county clerk to provide to each candidate at the time he files his nomination papers a notice of obligations under this Article. However, if a candidate files his nomination papers by mail or if an agent of the candidate files nomination papers on behalf of the candidate, the Board or the county clerk shall within 2 business days of the day and hour endorsed on the petition send such notice to the candidate by first class mail. Such notice shall briefly outline who is required to file under the campaign disclosure law and the penalties for failure to file. The notice of obligations under this Article shall be prepared by the Board.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-17)
Sec. 9-17. All statements and reports filed under this Article with the board or county clerk shall be available for examination and copying by the public at all reasonable times.
Any person who alters or falsifies information on a copy of a statement or report obtained from the State Board of Elections or the county clerk pursuant to Article 9 of this Code and publishes, circulates or distributes such altered or falsified information with the intent to misrepresent contributions received or expenditures made by a candidate or political committee shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
Any person who shall sell or utilize information copied from statements and reports filed with the State Board of Elections or the county clerk pursuant to Article 9 of this Code for the purpose of soliciting contributions or for the purpose of business solicitation shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
(Source: P.A. 90-495, eff. 8-17-97.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-18)
Sec. 9-18. The Board may hold investigations, inquiries, and hearings concerning any matter covered by this Article, subject to such rules and regulations as the Board may establish. In the process of holding such investigations, inquiries, and hearings, the Board may administer oaths and affirmations, certify to all official acts, issue subpoenas to be authorized by a vote of 5 members of the Board, compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses, and the production of papers, books, accounts, and documents. Hearings conducted by the Board shall be open to the public.
(Source: P.A. 81-1117.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-19) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-19)
Sec. 9-19. The Board may hire such investigators, examiners, and hearing officers as may be necessary to carry out its functions under this Article, and may by regulation delegate any of its duties or functions under Sections 9-18 and 9-21 of this Article to such persons, except that final judgments and orders shall be issued only by the Board. Reports of violations under Section 9-23 shall be made only by the Board.
(Source: P.A. 78-1183.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-20) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-20)
Sec. 9-20. Any person who believes a violation of this Article has occurred may file a verified complaint with the Board. Such verified complaint shall be directed to a candidate or the chair or treasurer of a political committee, and shall be subject to the following requirements:

(1) The complaint shall be in writing.

(2) The complaint shall state the name of the candidate or chair or treasurer of a political committee against whom the complaint is directed.

(3) The complaint shall state the statutory provisions which are alleged to have been violated.

(4) The complaint shall state the time, place, and nature of the alleged offense.
The complaint shall be verified, dated, and signed by the person filing the complaint in substantially the following manner:

VERIFICATION:

“I declare that this complaint (including any accompanying schedules and statements) has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge and belief is a true and correct complaint as required by Article 9 of The Election Code. I understand that the penalty for willfully filing a false complaint shall be a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment in a penal institution other than the penitentiary not to exceed 6 months, or both fine and imprisonment.”
……………………………………………………..
(date of filing)
(signature of person filing the complaint)
(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-21) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-21)
Sec. 9-21. Upon receipt of a complaint as provided in Section 9-20, the Board shall hold a closed preliminary hearing to determine whether or not the complaint appears to have been filed on justifiable grounds. Such closed preliminary hearing shall be conducted as soon as practicable after affording reasonable notice, a copy of the complaint, and an opportunity to testify at such hearing to both the person making the complaint and the person against whom the complaint is directed. If the Board fails to determine that the complaint has been filed on justifiable grounds, it shall dismiss the complaint without further hearing. Any additional hearings shall be open to the public.
Whenever the Board, in an open meeting, determines, after affording due notice and an opportunity for a public hearing, that any person has engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice which constitutes or will constitute a violation of any provision of this Article or any regulation or order issued thereunder, the Board shall issue an order directing such person to take such action as the Board determines may be necessary in the public interest to correct the violation. In addition, if the act or practice engaged in consists of the failure to file any required report within the time prescribed by this Article, the Board, as part of its order, shall further provide that if, within the 12-month period following the issuance of the order, such person fails to file within the time prescribed by this Article any subsequent report as may be required, such person may be subject to a civil penalty pursuant to Section 9-23. The Board shall render its final judgment within 60 days of the date the complaint is filed; except that during the 60 days preceding the date of the election in reference to which the complaint is filed, the Board shall render its final judgment within 7 days of the date the complaint is filed, and during the 7 days preceding such election, the Board shall render such judgment before the date of such election, if possible.
At any time prior to the issuance of the Board’s final judgment, the parties may dispose of the complaint by a written stipulation, agreed settlement or consent order. Any such stipulation, settlement or order shall, however, be submitted in writing to the Board and shall become effective only if approved by the Board in an open meeting. If the act or practice complained of consists of the failure to file any required report within the time prescribed by this Article, such stipulation, settlement or order may provide that if, within the 12-month period following the approval of such stipulation, agreement or order, the person complained of fails to file within the time prescribed by this Article any subsequent reports as may be required, such person may be subject to a civil penalty pursuant to Section 9-23.
Any person filing a complaint pursuant to Section 9-20 may, upon written notice to the other parties and to the Board, voluntarily withdraw the complaint at any time prior to the issuance of the Board’s final determination.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-22) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-22)
Sec. 9-22. Any party to a Board hearing, any person who files a complaint on which a hearing was denied or not acted upon within the time specified in Section 9-21 of this Act, and any party adversely affected by a judgment of the Board may obtain judicial review, which shall be governed by the provisions of the Administrative Review Law, as amended, and all amendments and modifications thereof and the rules adopted pursuant thereto, except that–

(1) such judicial review shall be afforded directly in the Appellate Court for the District in which the cause of action arose and not in the Circuit Court,

(2) such judicial review shall be obtained by filing a petition for review within 7 days after entry of the order of other action complained of,

(3) the time limit for filing such petition for review may be waived with the consent of all parties involved, and

(4) if such petition for review is appealing an order of the Board, the effect of such order of the Board shall not be stayed unless the Appellate Court so orders upon the motion of the petitioner and upon prior notice to the Board.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-23)
Sec. 9-23. Whenever the Board, pursuant to Section 9-21, has issued an order, or has approved a written stipulation, agreed settlement or consent order, directing a person determined by the Board to be in violation of any provision of this Article or any regulation adopted thereunder, to cease or correct such violation or otherwise comply with this Article and such person fails or refuses to comply with such order, stipulation, settlement or consent order within the time specified by the Board, the Board, after affording notice and an opportunity for a public hearing, may impose a civil penalty on such person in an amount not to exceed $5,000; except that for State officers and candidates and political committees formed for statewide office, the civil penalty may not exceed $10,000. For the purpose of this Section, “statewide office” and “State officer” means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer.
Civil penalties imposed on any such person by the Board shall be enforceable in the Circuit Court. The Board shall petition the Court for an order to enforce collection of the penalty and, if the Court finds it has jurisdiction over the person against whom the penalty was imposed, the Court shall issue the appropriate order. Any civil penalties collected by the Court shall be forwarded to the State Treasurer.
In addition to or in lieu of the imposition of a civil penalty, the board may report such violation and the failure or refusal to comply with the order of the Board to the Attorney General and the appropriate State’s Attorney.
(Source: P.A. 93-615, eff. 11-19-03.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-23.5)
Sec. 9-23.5. Public database of founded complaints. The State Board of Elections shall establish and maintain on its official website a searchable database, freely accessible to the public, of each complaint filed with the Board under this Article with respect to which Board action was taken, including all Board actions and penalties imposed, if any. The Board must update the database within 5 business days after an action is taken or a penalty is imposed to include that complaint, action, or penalty in the database. The Task Force on Campaign Finance Reform shall make recommendations on improving access to information related to founded complaints.
(Source: P.A. 96-832, eff. 1-1-11.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-24) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-24)
Sec. 9-24. The Board may also petition the Circuit Court to issue an order of the Court compelling compliance with an order issued by the Board, or to restrain or prohibit a person who is engaging or has engaged in acts or practices which constitute a violation of any provision of this Article from engaging in such acts or practices. If the Court finds that it has jurisdiction over the person of the alleged violator and that a violation has occurred or is occurring by reasons of the acts or practices of such person, the Court shall issue the appropriate order.
(Source: P.A. 78-1183.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-25) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-25)
Sec. 9-25. No person shall make an anonymous contribution or a contribution in the name of another person, and no person shall knowingly accept any anonymous contribution or contribution made by one person in the name of another person. Anonymous contributions shall escheat to the State of Illinois. Any political committee that receives such a contribution shall forward it immediately to the State Treasurer.
(Source: P.A. 78-1183.)

 

(10 ILCS 5/9-25.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-25.1; formerly Ch. 46, pars. 102, 103 and 104)
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