Vote by mail expansion clears Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Senate approved an expanded vote-by-mail program that has garnered increased popularity across the state and country amid public health concerns over voting and elections during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Senate President Don Harmon voted for the expanded vote-by-mail program and issued the following statement:

“This is an overdue step toward modern convenience and safety in our elections,” said Harmon. “It’s unfortunate it took a global pandemic to convince people of its value, but expanding vote by mail is a needed election reform that I hope voters will utilize.”

Under the proposal:

• Any person who has voted in the past two years (2018 General Election, 2019 Consolidated Election or 2020 Primary Election) would receive an application for a ballot in their mailbox.

• Any person who registered to vote after the 2020 Primary Election would also receive an application.

• General Election Day, November 3, 2020, would be a state holiday.

This does not preclude in-person voting opportunities on and/or before Election Day.

The legislation is SB1863.

After the Senate’s 37-19 vote, the legislation’s next destination is the governor’s desk.