HB0105 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 02624 KMW 32629 b

98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB0105

Introduced 1/10/2013, by Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

10 ILCS 5/1A-17
110 ILCS 205/20 new

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, for each even-numbered year that a general election is to be held, each public institution of higher learning shall send an electronic message to each student enrolled in the institution devoted exclusively to information on voter registration. Sets forth requirements concerning the content of the message and when it should be sent. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall issue a notice to each public institution of higher learning of the requirements concerning the electronic message in August of each even-numbered year during which a general election is held. Amends the Board of Higher Education Act. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall include specified information concerning college voter registration on its Internet website. Effective January 1, 2014.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning elections.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Election Code is amended by changing Section 1A-17 as follows:

(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.

(d) In addition to any other requirements of this Section, each public institution of higher learning shall send an electronic message devoted exclusively to information on voter registration to each student enrolled in the institution at an e-mail address provided by the student. This electronic message shall include a link to the websites for the local election authority and the State Board of Elections, and a downloadable voter registration application. The electronic message shall contain information on grace period voter registration. This electronic message shall be sent between September 15 and September 25 of each even-numbered year during which a general election is held. Each public institution of higher learning shall submit a copy of their electronic message, along with the date that it was sent, to the Board of Higher Education.

(e) The Board of Higher Education shall maintain on its Internet website a page devoted to the ongoing compliance with subsection (d) of this Section. The page shall contain: (i) a list of all public institutions of higher learning; (ii) a link to the page on each institution's website that contains information on voter registration; (iii) suggested language for the electronic message that each institution must send; and (iv) the date that each institution sent the required electronic message, as reported to the Board. The Board shall issue a notice to each public institution of higher learning of the requirements of subsection (d) of this Section in August of each even-numbered year during which a general election is held.

(Source: P.A. 94-645, eff. 8-22-05; incorporates P.A. 94-492, eff. 1-1-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07.)

Section 20. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended by adding Section 20 as follows:

(110 ILCS 205/20 new)

Sec. 20. College voter registration; website. The Board shall include on its Internet website all information required pursuant to subsection (e) of Section 1A-17 of the Election Code.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2014.