SB1663 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 10573 SPS 20649 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1663

Introduced 2/5/2025, by Sen. Julie A. Morrison

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

10 ILCS 5/11-8

Amends the Election Code. Provides that, in addition to required vote centers, election authorities may establish additional vote centers under a specified model. Sets forth provisions concerning the number and location of additional vote centers.

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 11-8 as follows:

(10 ILCS 5/11-8)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on July 1, 2029)

Sec. 11-8. Vote centers.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, election authorities shall establish at least 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, and that location shall provide curbside voting. Election authorities may establish more than one vote center, but in jurisdictions with a population of more than 500,000 inhabitants, the election authority shall establish at least 2 vote centers. An election authority establishing such a location under this Section shall identify the location and any health and safety requirements by the 40th day preceding an election and certify such to the State Board of Elections.

(b) (Blank). This Section is repealed on July 1, 2029.

(c) In addition to the vote centers established under subsection (a), election authorities may establish additional vote centers under the model described in subsection (d). If an election authority establishes additional vote centers under this Section, the appointment of election judges shall follow the procedures described in Articles 13 and 14, but the requirements for the number of election judges shall apply to each vote center, rather than each election precinct. Otherwise, vote centers have the same authority and responsibilities as election precincts and shall follow the same procedures set forth in this Code.

(d) If an election authority establishes additional vote centers as described under subsection (c), the election authority shall do so in accordance with the following:

(1) For each general primary election and general election, an election authority shall designate a minimum number of vote centers, as follows:

(A) For counties with at 250,000 registered voters:

(i) during the period from the 15th day before the day of election to the 5th day before the day of election, at least one vote center for each 75,000 registered voters;

(ii) during the period from the 4th day before the day of election to the day before the day of election, at least one vote center for each 20,000 registered voters; and

(iii) on the day of election, at least one vote center for each 12,500 registered voters.

(B) For counties with at least 37,500 registered voters but fewer than 250,000 registered voters:

(i) during the period from the 15th day before the day of election to the 5th day before the day of election, at least one vote center for each 75,000 registered voters, except that there must be at least one vote center in each county;

(ii) during the period from the 5th day before the day of election to the day before the day of election, at least one vote center for each 20,000 registered voters; and

(iii) on the day of election, at least one vote center for each 12,500 registered voters.

(C) For counties with at least 12,500 registered voters but fewer than 37,500 registered voters:

(i) during the period from the 15th day before the day of election to the day before the day of election, at least one vote center; and

(ii) on the day of election, at least 3 vote centers.

(D) For counties with fewer than 12,500 registered voters, from the 15th day before the day of election through day of election, at least one vote center.

For the purposes of this paragraph, the number of registered in a county is the number of voters registered in the county on the date of the preceding presidential election or on the date of the preceding general election, whichever is greater.

(2) Election authorities shall follow the guidelines for locations and hours of early voting as set forth in Article 19A. An election jurisdiction shall not have fewer permanent early voting locations than required under Article 19A.

(3) An election authority may designate a greater number of vote centers than the minimum required by this Section.

(4) In selecting the location for vote centers required under paragraph (1), each election authority shall consider:

(A) proximity to public transportation lines and availability of parking;

(B) geographic features that affect access and convenience;

(C) equitable distribution across the county so as to afford maximally convenient options for voters;

(D) the existence and location of population centers;

(E) access for persons with disabilities;

(F) use of existing voting locations that typically serve a significant number of voters;

(G) use of public buildings that are known to voters in the county, especially to the extent that using the buildings results in cost savings compared to other potential locations;

(H) when private locations are designated as vote centers, methods and standards to ensure the security of voting conducted at the locations;

(I) proximity to historically under-represented communities;

(J) if a proposed location was used in a previous election, the number of electors that used the location in the previous election and the recorded wait times at the location, or the number of electors and recorded wait times at nearby locations; and

(K) the need to locate vote centers in population centers that had lower voter turnout in previous elections.

(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21; 102-668, eff. 11-15-21; 102-1109, eff. 12-21-22; 103-467, eff. 8-4-23.)