SB3318 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 20791 MLM 45476 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
SB3318

Introduced 2/19/2016, by Sen. Scott M. Bennett

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

10 ILCS 5/1-25 new

Amends the Election Code. Provides that the election officials of McHenry, Champaign, Jackson, Adams, Logan, and McLean Counties may establish vote centers in lieu of precinct polling locations for the 2017 consolidated primary election, the 2017 consolidated election, the 2018 general primary election, and the 2018 general election. Establishes requirements for vote centers. Provides that the locations of the vote centers shall be approved by a majority vote of the county board in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Provides that the election authorities in the affected counties shall report the General Assembly the rate of voter turnout in the 2017 consolidated primary election, the 2017 consolidated election, the 2018 general primary election, and the 2018 general election, as well as the 2013 and 2015 consolidated elections and 2014 general elections, no later than June 1, 2017. Repeals this provision on January 1, 2018. Effective on January 1, 2017.

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 adding Section 1-25 as follows:

(10 ILCS 5/1-25 new)

Sec. 1-25. Vote center pilot program.

(a) As used in this Section:

"Vote center" means a polling place where a voter who resides in the county in which the vote center is located may vote without regard to the precinct in which the voter resides.

(b) This Section applies to only McHenry, Champaign, Jackson, Adams, Logan, and McLean Counties.

(c) The purpose of this Section is to create a pilot program to determine whether vote centers could successfully be established for local and State elections to increase convenience of voting and thus increase voter turnout rates.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the designated election officials of each of the counties in this Section may establish vote centers in lieu of precinct polling locations for the 2017 consolidated primary election, the 2017 consolidated election, the 2018 general primary election, and the 2018 general election. The number of vote centers to be established in each county shall be at least one vote center per 7,500 residents.

These counties shall not also use precinct polling places unless each precinct polling place has a secure electronic connection to provide voting information to and receive voting information from the computerized registration book.

The locations of the vote centers shall be approved by a majority vote of the county board in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

Vote centers shall have available a sufficient amount of ballot styles for each precinct in the county.

(e) The election authority shall publish the location of the vote centers in the manner prescribed for the publication of other polling places under Article 12 of this Code. The county election authority shall mail to each voter a notice of the vote center locations and notice that the voter may vote in person at any vote center in the county. The notice shall also include information regarding which early voting locations will also serve as election day vote centers.

(f) Each vote center shall have access to an electronic connection capable of ensuring that no person is able to vote more than once in a single election.

(g) Each vote center shall meet all applicable federal and State laws, including the Help America Vote Act.

(h) The election authorities in the affected counties shall report the General Assembly the rate of voter turnout in the 2017 consolidated primary election, the 2017 consolidated election, the 2018 general primary election, and the 2018 general election, as well as the 2013 and 2015 consolidated elections and 2014 general elections, no later than June 1, 2019.

(i) This Section is repealed January 1, 2020.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2017.