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Act NOW to Ensure Accessibility of Vote by Mail for Voters with Print Disabilities, Military Families and Citizens Living Overseas

ACTION ALERT:

Act NOW to Ensure Accessibility of Vote by Mail for Voters with Print Disabilities, Military Families and Citizens Living Overseas

Tell Legislators to Support SB 282, SCA 1

Currently, Illinois voters with print disabilities (which includes people who are blind, low vision, have physical dexterity limitations or cognitive or learning disabilities) can receive, mark, and verify their vote by mail ballots electronically, using their own assistive technology.  However, they are required to print, sign, and return a paper ballot to their local election authority.  This requirement forces them to rely on assistance from a person without disabilities to complete and submit their ballots which, contrary to Title II of the ADA, deprives them of the right to vote privately and independently.  Military families and citizens living overseas also have the ability to receive vote by mail ballots electronically, but they are required to return them by mail.  This has been very problematic for military families serving abroad or relocating to new duty stations in the U.S., resulting in much lower voter participation rates.

To close this accessibility gap, voters with print disabilities must be able to return their vote by mail ballots electronically without relying on help from anyone else and military families and citizens living overseas must have that right as well.  SB 282, SCA 1 would allow voters with print disabilities as well as military service members, their families and citizens living overseas to return their vote by mail ballots electronically, beginning with the 2024 Primary Election.  The Illinois General Assembly is working on a large election law bill (called an “omnibus” bill) that will include provisions regarding various elections issues.  To give voters with print disabilities an opportunity to vote that is truly equal to voters without disabilities, and eliminate the voting problems faced by military families and citizens living overseas, it is critical that the language of SB 282, SCA 1 is included in the omnibus election law bill.

ACT NOW BY CALLING THESE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO URGE THEM TO SUPPORT AND INCLUDE SB 282, SCA 1 IN THE OMNIBUS ELECTION LAW BILL:

HOUSE

Rep. Chris Welch (Speaker of the House)—217-782-5350

Rep. Robyn Gabel (Majority Leader)—217-782-8052

Rep. Kelly Burke (Assistant Majority Leader)—217-782-0515

 SENATE

Sen. Don Harmon (President of the Senate)—217-782-8176

Sen. Kimberly Lightford (Majority Leader)—217-782-8505

IF ANY OF THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS BELOW ARE YOUR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OR SENATOR PLEASE CALL THEM AS WELL.  BE SURE TO TELL THEM YOU ARE ONE OF THEIR CONSTITUENTS!

HOUSE

Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth—217-782-3186

Rep, Mary Flowers—217-782-4207

Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez—217-782-8173

Rep. Jay Hoffman—217-782-0104

Rep. Natalie Manley—217-782-3316

Rep. Kam Buckner—217-782-2023

Rep. Aaron Ortiz—217-782-1117

Rep, Barbara Hernandez—217-558-1002

Rep. Marcus Evans—217-782-8272

Rep. Robert Rita—217-558-1000

SENATE

Sen. Omar Aquino—217-782-5652

Sen. Bill Cunningham—217-782-5145

Sen. Mattie Hunter—217-782-5966

Sen. Linda Holmes—217-782-0422

Sen. Laura Murphy—217-782-3875

Sen. David Koehler—217-782-8250

Sen. Napoleon Harris—217-782-8066

Sen. Cristina Castro—217-782-7746

Sen. Elgie Sims—217-782-3201

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