Springfield, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Opponents of a measure on Governor J.B. Pritzker’s desk are concerned poll watchers won’t be able to verify vote-by-mail procedures conducted in nursing homes where voters may be physically and mentally incapacitated.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, under emergency order, nursing home voters were legally able to cast ballots through vote-by-mail procedures. Now, State Representative Maurice West, the bill’s sponsor, wants to codify the temporary procedures in statute.
In Illinois, opponents fear the proposed law will allow incapacitated voters to be coerced into turning in incomplete ballots by ballot harvesters. State Representative Patrick Windhorst said before, those voters only cast ballots on the premises.
Proponents argue the change will expand voter rights and provide convenience to older voters. Along with codifying vote-by-mail procedures in Illinois nursing homes, the proposed law would remove all caps on transfers from political party committees to candidates during primary elections. Previously, caps were only absent in general elections.
Story by Illinois Radio Network
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