HB1968enr 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB1968 Enrolled LRB094 02783 JAM 32784 b

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 Sections 1A-16, 1A-25, 4-6.2, 4-16, 5-16.2, 5-23, 6-50.2, 6-54, 7-7, 7-8, 7-10, 7-15, 7-34, 7-56, 7-60, 7-61, 8-8, 9-1.4, 9-1.14, 9-3, 9-7.5, 9-9.5, 9-10, 10-9, 12-1, 17-9, 17-15, 17-23, 18-5, 18A-5, 18A-15, 19-2.1, 19-4, 19-10, 20-4, 22-1, 22-5, 22-7, 22-8, 22-9, 22-15, 22-15.1, 22-17, 23-15.1, 24A-10, 24A-10.1, 24A-15.1, 24A-22, 24B-10, 24B-10.1, 24B-15.1, 24C-2, 24C-12, 24C-13, and 24C-15 and by adding Articles 12A and 19A and Sections 1A-17, 1A-18, 4-105, 5-105, 6-105, 7-100, 12A-2, 12A-5, 12A-10, 12A-15, 12A-35, 12A-40, 12A-45, 12A-50, 12A-55, 13-2.5, 14-4.5, 17-100, 18-100, 19A-5, 19A-10, 19A-15, 19A-20, 19A-25, 19A-25.5, 19A-30, 19A-35, 19A-40, 19A-45, 19A-50, 19A-55, 19A-60, 19A-65, 19A-70, 19A-75, and 23-50 as follows:

(10 ILCS 5/1A-16)

Sec. 1A-16. Voter registration information; internet posting; processing of voter registration forms; content of such forms. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to voter registration under this Code.

(a) Voter registration information; Internet posting of voter registration form. Within 90 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, the State Board of Elections shall post on its World Wide Web site the following information:

(1) A comprehensive list of the names, addresses, phone numbers, and websites, if applicable, of all county clerks and boards of election commissioners in Illinois.

(2) A schedule of upcoming elections and the deadline for voter registration.

(3) A downloadable, printable voter registration form, in at least English and in Spanish versions, that a person may complete and mail or submit to the State Board of Elections or the appropriate county clerk or board of election commissioners.

Any forms described under paragraph (3) must state the following:

If you do not have a driver's license or social security number, and this form is submitted by mail, and you have never registered to vote in the jurisdiction you are now registering in, then you must send, with this application, either (i) a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or (ii) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the voter. If you do not provide the information required above, then you will be required to provide election officials with either (i) or (ii) described above the first time you vote at a voting place or by absentee ballot.

(b) Acceptance of registration forms by the State Board of Elections and county clerks and board of election commissioners. The State Board of Elections, county clerks, and board of election commissioners shall accept all completed voter registration forms described in subsection (a)(3) of this Section and Section 1A-17 that are:

(1) postmarked on or before the day that voter registration is closed under the Election Code;

(2) not postmarked, but arrives no later than 5 days after the close of registration;

(3) submitted in person by a person using the form on or before the day that voter registration is closed under the Election Code; or

(4) submitted in person by a person who submits one or more forms on behalf of one or more persons who used the form on or before the day that voter registration is closed under the Election Code.

Upon the receipt of a registration form, the State Board of Elections shall mark the date on which the form was received and send the form via first class mail to the appropriate county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, within 2 business days based upon the home address of the person submitting the registration form. The county clerk and board of election commissioners shall accept and process any form received from the State Board of Elections.

(c) Processing of registration forms by county clerks and boards of election commissioners. The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall promulgate procedures for processing the voter registration form.

(d) Contents of the voter registration form. The State Board shall create a voter registration form, which must contain the following content:

(1) Instructions for completing the form.

(2) A summary of the qualifications to register to vote in Illinois.

(3) Instructions for mailing in or submitting the form in person.

(4) The phone number for the State Board of Elections should a person submitting the form have questions.

(5) A box for the person to check that explains one of 3 reasons for submitting the form:

(a) new registration;

(b) change of address; or

(c) change of name.

(6) a box for the person to check yes or no that asks, "Are you a citizen of the United States?", a box for the person to check yes or no that asks, "Will you be 18 years of age on or before election day?", and a statement of "If you checked 'no' in response to either of these questions, then do not complete this form.".

(7) A space for the person to fill in his or her home telephone number.

(8) Spaces for the person to fill in his or her first, middle, and last names, street address (principal place of residence), county, city, state, and zip code.

(9) Spaces for the person to fill in his or her mailing address, city, state, and zip code if different from his or her principal place of residence.

(10) A space for the person to fill in his or her Illinois driver's license number if the person has a driver's license.

(11) A space for a person without a driver's license to fill in the last four digits of his or her social security number if the person has a social security number.

(12) A space for a person without an Illinois driver's license to fill in his or her identification number from his or her State Identification card issued by the Secretary of State.

(13) A space for the person to fill the name appearing on his or her last voter registration, the street address of his or her last registration, including the city, county, state, and zip code.

(14) A space where the person swears or affirms the following under penalty of perjury with his or her signature:

(a) "I am a citizen of the United States.";

(b) "I will be at least 18 years old on or before the next election.";

(c) "I will have lived in the State of Illinois and in my election precinct at least 30 days as of the date of the next election."; and

"The information I have provided is true to the best of my knowledge under penalty of perjury. If I have provided false information, then than I may be fined, imprisoned, or if I am not a U.S. citizen, deported from or refused entry into the United States."

(d) Compliance with federal law; rulemaking authority. The voter registration form described in this Section shall be consistent with the form prescribed by the Federal Election Commission under the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, P.L. 103-31, as amended from time to time, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002, P.L. 107-252, in all relevant respects. The State Board of Elections shall periodically update the form based on changes to federal or State law. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate any rules necessary for the implementation of this Section; provided that the rules comport with the letter and spirit of the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and Help America Vote Act of 2002 and maximize the opportunity for a person to register to vote.

(e) Forms available in paper form. The State Board of Elections shall make the voter registration form available in regular paper stock and form in sufficient quantities for the general public. The State Board of Elections may provide the voter registration form to the Secretary of State, county clerks, boards of election commissioners, designated agencies of the State of Illinois, and any other person or entity designated to have these forms by the Election Code in regular paper stock and form or some other format deemed suitable by the Board. Each county clerk or board of election commissioners has the authority to design and print its own voter registration form so long as the form complies with the requirements of this Section. The State Board of Elections, county clerks, boards of election commissioners, or other designated agencies of the State of Illinois required to have these forms under the Election Code shall provide a member of the public with any reasonable number of forms that he or she may request. Nothing in this Section shall permit the State Board of Elections, county clerk, board of election commissioners, or other appropriate election official who may accept a voter registration form to refuse to accept a voter registration form because the form is printed on photocopier or regular paper stock and form.

(f) Internet voter registration study. The State Board of Elections shall investigate the feasibility of offering voter registration on its website and consider voter registration methods of other states in an effort to maximize the opportunity for all Illinois citizens to register to vote. The State Board of Elections shall assemble its findings in a report and submit it to the General Assembly no later than January 1, 2006. The report shall contain legislative recommendations to the General Assembly on improving voter registration in Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/1A-17 new)

Sec. 1A-17. Voter registration outreach.

(a) The Secretary of State, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of Employment Security, and each public institution of higher learning in Illinois must make available on its World Wide Web site a downloadable, printable voter registration form that complies with the requirements in subsection (d) of Section 1A-16 for the State Board of Elections' voter registration form.

(b) Each public institution of higher learning in Illinois must include voter registration information and a voter registration form supplied by the State Board of Elections under subsection (e) of Section 1A-16 in any mailing of student registration materials to an address located in Illinois. Each public institution of higher learning must provide voter registration information and a voter registration form supplied by the State Board of Elections under subsection (e) of Section 1A-16 to each person with whom the institution conducts in-person student registration.

(c) As used in this Section, a public institution of higher learning means a public university, college, or community college in Illinois.

(10 ILCS 5/1A-18 new)

Sec. 1A-18. Voter registration applications; General Assembly district offices. Each member of the General Assembly, and his or her State employees (as defined in Section 1-5 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act) authorized by the member, may make available voter registration forms supplied by the State Board of Elections under subsection (e) of Section 1A-16 to the public and may undertake that and other voter registration activities at the member's district office, during regular business hours or otherwise, in a manner determined by the member.

(10 ILCS 5/1A-25)

Sec. 1A-25. Centralized statewide voter registration list. The centralized statewide voter registration list required by Title III, Subtitle A, Section 303 of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 shall be created and maintained by the State Board of Elections as provided in this Section.

(1) The centralized statewide voter registration list shall be compiled from the voter registration data bases of each election authority in this State.

(2) All new voter registration forms and applications to register to vote, including those reviewed by the Secretary of State at a driver services facility, shall be transmitted only to the appropriate election authority as required by Articles 4, 5, and 6 of this Code and not to the State Board of Elections. The election authority shall process and verify each voter registration form and electronically enter verified registrations on an expedited basis onto the statewide voter registration list. All original registration cards shall remain permanently in the office of the election authority as required by this Code Sections 4-20, 5-28, and 6-65.

(3) The centralized statewide voter registration list shall:

(i) Be designed to allow election authorities to utilize the registration data on the statewide voter registration list pertinent to voters registered in their election jurisdiction on locally maintained software programs that are unique to each jurisdiction.

(ii) Allow each election authority to perform essential election management functions, including but not limited to production of voter lists, processing of absentee voters, production of individual, pre-printed applications to vote, administration of election judges, and polling place administration, but shall not prevent any election authority from using information from that election authority's own systems.

(4) The registration information maintained by each election authority shall at all times be synchronized with that authority's information on the statewide list at least once every 24 hours on a constant, real-time basis.

To protect the privacy and confidentiality of voter registration information, the disclosure of any portion of the centralized statewide voter registration list to any person or entity other than to a State or local political committee and other than to a governmental entity for a governmental purpose is specifically prohibited.

(Source: P.A. 93-1071, eff. 1-18-05.)

(10 ILCS 5/4-6.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-6.2)

Sec. 4-6.2. (a) The county clerk shall appoint all municipal and township or road district clerks or their duly authorized deputies as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of all qualified residents of the State their respective municipalities, townships and road districts. A deputy registrar serving as such by virtue of his status as a municipal clerk, or a duly authorized deputy of a municipal clerk, of a municipality the territory of which lies in more than one county may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the municipality, regardless of which county the resident, municipal clerk or the duly authorized deputy of the municipal clerk lives in.

The county clerk shall appoint all precinct committeepersons in the county as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State county, except during the 27 days preceding an election.

The election authority shall appoint as deputy registrars a reasonable number of employees of the Secretary of State located at driver's license examination stations and designated to the election authority by the Secretary of State who may accept the registration of any qualified residents of the State county at any such driver's license examination stations. The appointment of employees of the Secretary of State as deputy registrars shall be made in the manner provided in Section 2-105 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

The county clerk shall appoint each of the following named persons as deputy registrars upon the written request of such persons:

1. The chief librarian, or a qualified person designated by the chief librarian, of any public library situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State county, at such library.

2. The principal, or a qualified person designated by the principal, of any high school, elementary school, or vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State county, at such school. The county clerk shall notify every principal and vice-principal of each high school, elementary school, and vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction of their eligibility to serve as deputy registrars and offer training courses for service as deputy registrars at conveniently located facilities at least 4 months prior to every election.

3. The president, or a qualified person designated by the president, of any university, college, community college, academy or other institution of learning situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State county, at such university, college, community college, academy or institution.

4. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide labor organization, or a reasonable number of qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State county.

5. A duly elected or appointed official of a bonafide State civic organization, as defined and determined by rule of the State Board of Elections, or qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State county. In determining the number of deputy registrars that shall be appointed, the county clerk shall consider the population of the jurisdiction, the size of the organization, the geographic size of the jurisdiction, convenience for the public, the existing number of deputy registrars in the jurisdiction and their location, the registration activities of the organization and the need to appoint deputy registrars to assist and facilitate the registration of non-English speaking individuals. In no event shall a county clerk fix an arbitrary number applicable to every civic organization requesting appointment of its members as deputy registrars. The State Board of Elections shall by rule provide for certification of bonafide State civic organizations. Such appointments shall be made for a period not to exceed 2 years, terminating on the first business day of the month following the month of the general election, and shall be valid for all periods of voter registration as provided by this Code during the terms of such appointments.

6. The Director of the Illinois Department of Public Aid, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at public aid offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such public aid office.

7. The Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at unemployment offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such unemployment office.

8. The president of any corporation as defined by the Business Corporation Act of 1983, or a reasonable number of employees designated by such president, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State county.

If the request to be appointed as deputy registrar is denied, the county clerk shall, within 10 days after the date the request is submitted, provide the affected individual or organization with written notice setting forth the specific reasons or criteria relied upon to deny the request to be appointed as deputy registrar.

The county clerk may appoint as many additional deputy registrars as he considers necessary. The county clerk shall appoint such additional deputy registrars in such manner that the convenience of the public is served, giving due consideration to both population concentration and area. Some of the additional deputy registrars shall be selected so that there are an equal number from each of the 2 major political parties in the election jurisdiction. The county clerk, in appointing an additional deputy registrar, shall make the appointment from a list of applicants submitted by the Chairman of the County Central Committee of the applicant's political party. A Chairman of a County Central Committee shall submit a list of applicants to the county clerk by November 30 of each year. The county clerk may require a Chairman of a County Central Committee to furnish a supplemental list of applicants.

Deputy registrars may accept registrations at any time other than the 27 day period preceding an election. All persons appointed as deputy registrars shall be registered voters within the county and shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of deputy registrar to the best of my ability and that I will register no person nor cause the registration of any person except upon his personal application before me.

............................

(Signature Deputy Registrar)"

This oath shall be administered by the county clerk, or by one of his deputies, or by any person qualified to take acknowledgement of deeds and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the county clerk.

Appointments of deputy registrars under this Section, except precinct committeemen, shall be for 2-year terms, commencing on December 1 following the general election of each even-numbered year; except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be until December 1st following the next general election. Appointments of precinct committeemen shall be for 2-year terms commencing on the date of the county convention following the general primary at which they were elected. The county clerk shall issue a certificate of appointment to each deputy registrar, and shall maintain in his office for public inspection a list of the names of all appointees.

(b) The county clerk shall be responsible for training all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a), at times and locations reasonably convenient for both the county clerk and such appointees. The county clerk shall be responsible for certifying and supervising all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a). Deputy registrars appointed under subsection (a) shall be subject to removal for cause.

(c) Completed registration materials under the control of deputy registrars, appointed pursuant to subsection (a), shall be returned to the appointing proper election authority within 7 days, except that completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars during the period between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the appointing proper election authority within 48 hours after receipt thereof. The completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars on the 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars within 24 hours after receipt thereof. Unused materials shall be returned by deputy registrars appointed pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection (a), not later than the next working day following the close of registration.

(d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must provide any additional forms requested by any deputy registrar regardless of the number of unaccounted registration forms the deputy registrar may have in his or her possession.

(e) No deputy registrar shall engage in any electioneering or the promotion of any cause during the performance of his or her duties.

(f) The county clerk shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the acts or omissions of any deputy registrar. Such deputy registrars shall not be deemed to be employees of the county clerk.

(g) Completed registration materials returned by deputy registrars for persons residing outside the county shall be transmitted by the county clerk within 2 days after receipt to the election authority of the person's election jurisdiction of residence.

(Source: P.A. 92-816, eff. 8-21-02; 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/4-16) (from Ch. 46, par. 4-16)

Sec. 4-16. Any registered voter who changes his residence from one address to another within the same county wherein this Article is in effect, may have his registration transferred to his new address by making and signing an application for change of residence address upon a form to be provided by the county clerk. Such application must be made to the office of the county clerk and may be made either in person or by mail. In case the person is unable to sign his name, the county clerk shall require him to execute the application in the presence of the county clerk or of his properly authorized representative, by his mark, and if satisfied of the identity of the person, the county clerk shall make the transfer.

Upon receipt of the application, the county clerk, or one of his employees deputized to take registrations shall cause the signature of the voter and the data appearing upon the application to be compared with the signature and data on the registration record card, and if it appears that the applicant is the same person as the person previously registered under that name the transfer shall be made.

No transfers of registration under the provisions of this Section shall be made during the 27 days preceding any election at which such voter would be entitled to vote. When a removal of a registered voter takes place from one address to another within the same precinct within a period during which a transfer of registration cannot be made before any election or primary, he shall be entitled to vote upon presenting the judges of election his affidavit substantially in the form prescribed in Section 17-10 of this Act of a change of residence address within the precinct on a date therein specified.

The county clerk may obtain information from utility companies, city, village, incorporated town and township records, the post office, or from other sources, regarding the removal of registered voters, and may treat such information, and information procured from his death and marriage records on file in his office, as an application to erase from the register any name concerning which he may so have information that the voter is no longer qualified to vote under the name, or from the address from which registered, and give notice thereof in the manner provided by Section 4--12 of this Article, and notify voters who have changed their address that a transfer of registration may be made in the manner provided in this Section enclosing a form therefor.

If any person be registered by error in a precinct other than that in which he resides, the county clerk may transfer his registration to the proper precinct, and if the error is or may be on the part of the registration officials, and is disclosed too late before an election or primary to mail the certificate required by Section 4--15, such certificate may be personally delivered to the voter and he may vote thereon as therein provided, but such certificates so issued shall be specially listed with the reason for the issuance thereof.

Where a revision or rearrangement of precincts is made by the county board, the county clerk shall immediately transfer to the proper precinct the registration of any voter affected by such revision or rearrangement of the precinct; make the proper notations on the registration cards of a voter affected by the revision or rearrangement and shall issue revised certificates to each registrant of such change.

Any registered voter who changes his or her name by marriage or otherwise shall be required to register anew and authorize the cancellation of the previous registration; but if the voter still resides in the same precinct and if the change of name takes place within a period during which a transfer of registration cannot be made, preceding any election or primary, the elector may, if otherwise qualified, vote upon making an affidavit at the polling place attesting that the voter is the same person who is registered to vote under his or her former name. The affidavit shall be treated by the election authority as authorization to cancel the registration under the former name, and the election authority shall register the person under his or her current name. substantially in the form prescribed in Section 17-10 of this Act.

The precinct election officials shall report to the county clerk the names and addresses of all persons who have changed their addresses and voted, which shall be treated as an application to change address accordingly, and the names and addresses of all persons otherwise voting by affidavit as in this Section provided, which shall be treated as an application to erase under Section 4--12 hereof.

(Source: P.A. 92-816, eff. 8-21-02.)

(10 ILCS 5/4-105 new)

Sec. 4-105. First time voting. If a person registered to vote by mail, the person must vote for the first time in person and not by an absentee ballot, except that the person may vote by absentee ballot in person if the person first provides the appropriate election authority with sufficient proof of identity by the person's driver's license number or State identification card number or, if the person does not have either of those, by the last 4 digits of the person's social security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of any of the following current documents that show the person's name and address: utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document.

(10 ILCS 5/5-16.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-16.2)

Sec. 5-16.2. (a) The county clerk shall appoint all municipal and township clerks or their duly authorized deputies as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of all qualified residents of the State their respective counties. A deputy registrar serving as such by virtue of his status as a municipal clerk, or a duly authorized deputy of a municipal clerk, of a municipality the territory of which lies in more than one county may accept the registration of any qualified resident of any county in which the municipality is located, regardless of which county the resident, municipal clerk or the duly authorized deputy of the municipal clerk lives in.

The county clerk shall appoint all precinct committeepersons in the county as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State county, except during the 27 days preceding an election.

The election authority shall appoint as deputy registrars a reasonable number of employees of the Secretary of State located at driver's license examination stations and designated to the election authority by the Secretary of State who may accept the registration of any qualified residents of the State county at any such driver's license examination stations. The appointment of employees of the Secretary of State as deputy registrars shall be made in the manner provided in Section 2-105 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

The county clerk shall appoint each of the following named persons as deputy registrars upon the written request of such persons:

1. The chief librarian, or a qualified person designated by the chief librarian, of any public library situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State county, at such library.

2. The principal, or a qualified person designated by the principal, of any high school, elementary school, or vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State county, at such school. The county clerk shall notify every principal and vice-principal of each high school, elementary school, and vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction of their eligibility to serve as deputy registrars and offer training courses for service as deputy registrars at conveniently located facilities at least 4 months prior to every election.

3. The president, or a qualified person designated by the president, of any university, college, community college, academy or other institution of learning situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State county, at such university, college, community college, academy or institution.

4. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide labor organization, or a reasonable number of qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State county.

5. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide State civic organization, as defined and determined by rule of the State Board of Elections, or qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State county. In determining the number of deputy registrars that shall be appointed, the county clerk shall consider the population of the jurisdiction, the size of the organization, the geographic size of the jurisdiction, convenience for the public, the existing number of deputy registrars in the jurisdiction and their location, the registration activities of the organization and the need to appoint deputy registrars to assist and facilitate the registration of non-English speaking individuals. In no event shall a county clerk fix an arbitrary number applicable to every civic organization requesting appointment of its members as deputy registrars. The State Board of Elections shall by rule provide for certification of bona fide State civic organizations. Such appointments shall be made for a period not to exceed 2 years, terminating on the first business day of the month following the month of the general election, and shall be valid for all periods of voter registration as provided by this Code during the terms of such appointments.

6. The Director of the Illinois Department of Public Aid, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at public aid offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such public aid office.

7. The Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at unemployment offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the county at any such unemployment office.

8. The president of any corporation as defined by the Business Corporation Act of 1983, or a reasonable number of employees designated by such president, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State county.

If the request to be appointed as deputy registrar is denied, the county clerk shall, within 10 days after the date the request is submitted, provide the affected individual or organization with written notice setting forth the specific reasons or criteria relied upon to deny the request to be appointed as deputy registrar.

The county clerk may appoint as many additional deputy registrars as he considers necessary. The county clerk shall appoint such additional deputy registrars in such manner that the convenience of the public is served, giving due consideration to both population concentration and area. Some of the additional deputy registrars shall be selected so that there are an equal number from each of the 2 major political parties in the election jurisdiction. The county clerk, in appointing an additional deputy registrar, shall make the appointment from a list of applicants submitted by the Chairman of the County Central Committee of the applicant's political party. A Chairman of a County Central Committee shall submit a list of applicants to the county clerk by November 30 of each year. The county clerk may require a Chairman of a County Central Committee to furnish a supplemental list of applicants.

Deputy registrars may accept registrations at any time other than the 27 day period preceding an election. All persons appointed as deputy registrars shall be registered voters within the county and shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of deputy registrar to the best of my ability and that I will register no person nor cause the registration of any person except upon his personal application before me.

...............................

(Signature of Deputy Registrar)"

This oath shall be administered by the county clerk, or by one of his deputies, or by any person qualified to take acknowledgement of deeds and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the county clerk.

Appointments of deputy registrars under this Section, except precinct committeemen, shall be for 2-year terms, commencing on December 1 following the general election of each even-numbered year, except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be until December 1st following the next general election. Appointments of precinct committeemen shall be for 2-year terms commencing on the date of the county convention following the general primary at which they were elected. The county clerk shall issue a certificate of appointment to each deputy registrar, and shall maintain in his office for public inspection a list of the names of all appointees.

(b) The county clerk shall be responsible for training all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a), at times and locations reasonably convenient for both the county clerk and such appointees. The county clerk shall be responsible for certifying and supervising all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a). Deputy registrars appointed under subsection (a) shall be subject to removal for cause.

(c) Completed registration materials under the control of deputy registrars, appointed pursuant to subsection (a), shall be returned to the appointing proper election authority within 7 days, except that completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars during the period between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the appointing proper election authority within 48 hours after receipt thereof. The completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars on the 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars within 24 hours after receipt thereof. Unused materials shall be returned by deputy registrars appointed pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection (a), not later than the next working day following the close of registration.

(d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must provide any additional forms requested by any deputy registrar regardless of the number of unaccounted registration forms the deputy registrar may have in his or her possession.

(e) No deputy registrar shall engage in any electioneering or the promotion of any cause during the performance of his or her duties.

(f) The county clerk shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the acts or omissions of any deputy registrar. Such deputy registers shall not be deemed to be employees of the county clerk.

(g) Completed registration materials returned by deputy registrars for persons residing outside the county shall be transmitted by the county clerk within 2 days after receipt to the election authority of the person's election jurisdiction of residence.

(Source: P.A. 92-816, eff. 8-21-02; 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/5-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 5-23)

Sec. 5-23. Any registered voter who changes his residence from one address, number or place to another within the same county wherein this article 5 is in effect, may have his registration transferred to his new address by making and signing an application for such change of residence upon a form to be provided by the county clerk. Such application must be made to the office of the county clerk. In case the person is unable to sign his name the county clerk shall require such person to execute the request in the presence of the county clerk or of his properly authorized representative, by his mark, and if satisfied of the identity of the person, the county clerk shall make the transfer.

Upon receipt of such application, the county clerk, or one of his employees deputized to take registrations shall cause the signature of the voter and the data appearing upon the application to be compared with the signature and data on the registration record, and if it appears that the applicant is the same person as the party previously registered under that name the transfer shall be made.

Transfer of registration under the provisions of this section may not be made within the period when the county clerk's office is closed to registration prior to an election at which such voter would be entitled to vote.

Any registered voter who changes his or her name by marriage or otherwise, shall be required to register anew and authorize the cancellation of the previous registration; provided, however, that if the change of name takes place within a period during which such new registration cannot be made, next preceding any election or primary, the elector may, if otherwise qualified, vote upon making the following affidavit before the judges of election:

I do solemnly swear that I am the same person now registered in the .... precinct of the .... ward of the city of .... or .... District Town of .... under the name of .... and that I still reside in said precinct or district.

(Signed) ....

If the voter whose name has changed still resides in the same precinct, the voter may vote after making the affidavit at the polling place regardless of when the change of name occurred. In that event, the affidavit shall not state that the voter is required to register; the affidavit shall be treated by the election authority as authorization to cancel the registration under the former name, and the election authority shall register the voter under his or her current name.

When a removal of a registered voter takes place from one address to another within the same precinct within a period during which such transfer of registration cannot be made, before any election or primary, he shall be entitled to vote upon presenting to the judges of election an affidavit of a change and having said affidavit supported by the affidavit of a qualified voter of the same precinct.

Suitable forms for this purpose shall be provided by the county clerk. The form in all cases shall be similar to the form furnished by the county clerk for county and state elections.

The precinct election officials shall report to the county clerk the names and addresses of all such persons who have changed their addresses and voted. The city, village, town and incorporated town clerks shall within five days after every election report to the county clerk the names and addresses of the persons reported to them as having voted by affidavit as in this section provided.

The county clerk may obtain information from utility companies, city, village, town and incorporated town records, the post office or from other sources regarding the removal of registered voters and notify such voters that a transfer of registration may be made in the manner provided by this section.

If any person be registered by error in a precinct other than that in which he resides the county clerk shall be empowered to transfer his registration to the proper precinct.

Where a revision or rearrangement of precincts is made by the board of county commissioners, the county clerk shall immediately transfer to the proper precinct the registration of any voter affected by such revision or rearrangement of the precincts; make the proper notations on the registration cards of a voter affected by the revision of registration and shall notify the registrant of such change.

(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

(10 ILCS 5/5-105 new)

Sec. 5-105. First time voting. If a person registered to vote by mail, the person must vote for the first time in person and not by an absentee ballot, except that the person may vote by absentee ballot in person if the person first provides the appropriate election authority with sufficient proof of identity by the person's driver's license number or State identification card number or, if the person does not have either of those, by the last 4 digits of the person's social security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of any of the following current documents that show the person's name and address: utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document.

(10 ILCS 5/6-50.2) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-50.2)

Sec. 6-50.2. (a) The board of election commissioners shall appoint all precinct committeepersons in the election jurisdiction as deputy registrars who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State election jurisdiction, except during the 27 days preceding an election.

The election authority shall appoint as deputy registrars a reasonable number of employees of the Secretary of State located at driver's license examination stations and designated to the election authority by the Secretary of State who may accept the registration of any qualified residents of the State county at any such driver's license examination stations. The appointment of employees of the Secretary of State as deputy registrars shall be made in the manner provided in Section 2-105 of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

The board of election commissioners shall appoint each of the following named persons as deputy registrars upon the written request of such persons:

1. The chief librarian, or a qualified person designated by the chief librarian, of any public library situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State election jurisdiction, at such library.

2. The principal, or a qualified person designated by the principal, of any high school, elementary school, or vocational school situated within the election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the State election jurisdiction, at such school. The board of election commissioners shall notify every principal and vice-principal of each high school, elementary school, and vocational school situated in the election jurisdiction of their eligibility to serve as deputy registrars and offer training courses for service as deputy registrars at conveniently located facilities at least 4 months prior to every election.

3. The president, or a qualified person designated by the president, of any university, college, community college, academy or other institution of learning situated within the State election jurisdiction, who may accept the registrations of any resident of the election jurisdiction, at such university, college, community college, academy or institution.

4. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide labor organization, or a reasonable number of qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State election jurisdiction.

5. A duly elected or appointed official of a bona fide State civic organization, as defined and determined by rule of the State Board of Elections, or qualified members designated by such official, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the State election jurisdiction. In determining the number of deputy registrars that shall be appointed, the board of election commissioners shall consider the population of the jurisdiction, the size of the organization, the geographic size of the jurisdiction, convenience for the public, the existing number of deputy registrars in the jurisdiction and their location, the registration activities of the organization and the need to appoint deputy registrars to assist and facilitate the registration of non-English speaking individuals. In no event shall a board of election commissioners fix an arbitrary number applicable to every civic organization requesting appointment of its members as deputy registrars. The State Board of Elections shall by rule provide for certification of bona fide State civic organizations. Such appointments shall be made for a period not to exceed 2 years, terminating on the first business day of the month following the month of the general election, and shall be valid for all periods of voter registration as provided by this Code during the terms of such appointments.

6. The Director of the Illinois Department of Public Aid, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at public aid offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the election jurisdiction at any such public aid office.

7. The Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, or a reasonable number of employees designated by the Director and located at unemployment offices, who may accept the registration of any qualified resident of the election jurisdiction at any such unemployment office. If the request to be appointed as deputy registrar is denied, the board of election commissioners shall, within 10 days after the date the request is submitted, provide the affected individual or organization with written notice setting forth the specific reasons or criteria relied upon to deny the request to be appointed as deputy registrar.

8. The president of any corporation, as defined by the Business Corporation Act of 1983, or a reasonable number of employees designated by such president, who may accept the registrations of any qualified resident of the State election jurisdiction.

The board of election commissioners may appoint as many additional deputy registrars as it considers necessary. The board of election commissioners shall appoint such additional deputy registrars in such manner that the convenience of the public is served, giving due consideration to both population concentration and area. Some of the additional deputy registrars shall be selected so that there are an equal number from each of the 2 major political parties in the election jurisdiction. The board of election commissioners, in appointing an additional deputy registrar, shall make the appointment from a list of applicants submitted by the Chairman of the County Central Committee of the applicant's political party. A Chairman of a County Central Committee shall submit a list of applicants to the board by November 30 of each year. The board may require a Chairman of a County Central Committee to furnish a supplemental list of applicants.

Deputy registrars may accept registrations at any time other than the 27 day period preceding an election. All persons appointed as deputy registrars shall be registered voters within the election jurisdiction and shall take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of registration officer to the best of my ability and that I will register no person nor cause the registration of any person except upon his personal application before me.

....................................

(Signature of Registration Officer)"

This oath shall be administered and certified to by one of the commissioners or by the executive director or by some person designated by the board of election commissioners, and shall immediately thereafter be filed with the board of election commissioners. The members of the board of election commissioners and all persons authorized by them under the provisions of this Article to take registrations, after themselves taking and subscribing to the above oath, are authorized to take or administer such oaths and execute such affidavits as are required by this Article.

Appointments of deputy registrars under this Section, except precinct committeemen, shall be for 2-year terms, commencing on December 1 following the general election of each even-numbered year, except that the terms of the initial appointments shall be until December 1st following the next general election. Appointments of precinct committeemen shall be for 2-year terms commencing on the date of the county convention following the general primary at which they were elected. The county clerk shall issue a certificate of appointment to each deputy registrar, and shall maintain in his office for public inspection a list of the names of all appointees.

(b) The board of election commissioners shall be responsible for training all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a), at times and locations reasonably convenient for both the board of election commissioners and such appointees. The board of election commissioners shall be responsible for certifying and supervising all deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a). Deputy registrars appointed under subsection (a) shall be subject to removal for cause.

(c) Completed registration materials under the control of deputy registrars appointed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be returned to the appointing proper election authority within 7 days, except that completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars during the period between the 35th and 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars to the appointing proper election authority within 48 hours after receipt thereof. The completed registration materials received by the deputy registrars on the 28th day preceding an election shall be returned by the deputy registrars within 24 hours after receipt thereof. Unused materials shall be returned by deputy registrars appointed pursuant to paragraph 4 of subsection (a), not later than the next working day following the close of registration.

(d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must provide any additional forms requested by any deputy registrar regardless of the number of unaccounted registration forms the deputy registrar may have in his or her possession.

(e) No deputy registrar shall engage in any electioneering or the promotion of any cause during the performance of his or her duties.

(f) The board of election commissioners shall not be criminally or civilly liable for the acts or omissions of any deputy registrar. Such deputy registrars shall not be deemed to be employees of the board of election commissioners.

(g) Completed registration materials returned by deputy registrars for persons residing outside the election jurisdiction shall be transmitted by the board of election commissioners within 2 days after receipt to the election authority of the person's election jurisdiction of residence.

(Source: P.A. 92-816, eff. 8-21-02; 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/6-54) (from Ch. 46, par. 6-54)

Sec. 6-54. Any registered voter who changes his or her name by marriage or otherwise, shall be required to register anew and authorize the cancellation of the previous registration; provided, however, that if the change of name takes place within a period during which such new registration cannot be made, next preceding any election or primary, the elector may, if otherwise qualified, vote upon making the following affidavit before the judges of election:

"I do solemnly swear that I am the same person now registered in the .... precinct of the .... ward, under the name of .... and that I still reside in said precinct.

(Signed)...."

If the voter whose name has changed still resides in the same precinct, the voter may vote after making the affidavit at the polling place regardless of when the change of name occurred. In that event, the affidavit shall not state that the voter is required to register; the affidavit shall be treated by the election authority as authorization to cancel the registration under the former name, and the election authority shall register the voter under his or her current name.

(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

(10 ILCS 5/6-105 new)

Sec. 6-105. First time voting. If a person registered to vote by mail, the person must vote for the first time in person and not by an absentee ballot, except that the person may vote by absentee ballot in person if the person first provides the appropriate election authority with sufficient proof of identity by the person's driver's license number or State identification card number or, if the person does not have either of those, by the last 4 digits of the person's social security number, a copy of a current and valid photo identification, or a copy of any of the following current documents that show the person's name and address: utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document.

(10 ILCS 5/7-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-7)

Sec. 7-7. For the purpose of making nominations in certain instances as provided in this Article and this Act, the following committees are authorized and shall constitute the central or managing committees of each political party, viz: A State central committee, whose responsibilities include, but are not limited to, filling by appointment vacancies in nomination for statewide offices, including but not limited to the office of United States Senator, a congressional committee for each congressional district, a county central committee for each county, a municipal central committee for each city, incorporated town or village, a ward committeeman for each ward in cities containing a population of 500,000 or more; a township committeeman for each township or part of a township that lies outside of cities having a population of 200,000 or more, in counties having a population of 2,000,000 or more; a precinct committeeman for each precinct in counties having a population of less than 2,000,000; a county board district committee for each county board district created under Division 2-3 of the Counties Code; a State's Attorney committee for each group of 2 or more counties which jointly elect a State's Attorney; a Superintendent of Multi-County Educational Service Region committee for each group of 2 or more counties which jointly elect a Superintendent of a Multi-County Educational Service Region; a judicial subcircuit committee in a judicial circuit divided into subcircuits for each judicial subcircuit in that circuit; and a board of review election district committee for each Cook County Board of Review election district.

(Source: P.A. 93-541, eff. 8-18-03; 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; revised 9-22-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-8)

Sec. 7-8. The State central committee shall be composed of one or two members from each congressional district in the State and shall be elected as follows:

State Central Committee

(a) Within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1983 the State central committee of each political party shall certify to the State Board of Elections which of the following alternatives it wishes to apply to the State central committee of that party.

Alternative A. At the primary held on the third Tuesday in March 1970, and at the primary held every 4 years thereafter, each primary elector may vote for one candidate of his party for member of the State central committee for the congressional district in which he resides. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected State central committeeman from the district. A political party may, in lieu of the foregoing, by a majority vote of delegates at any State convention of such party, determine to thereafter elect the State central committeemen in the manner following:

At the county convention held by such political party State central committeemen shall be elected in the same manner as provided in this Article for the election of officers of the county central committee, and such election shall follow the election of officers of the county central committee. Each elected ward, township or precinct committeeman shall cast as his vote one vote for each ballot voted in his ward, township, part of a township or precinct in the last preceding primary election of his political party. In the case of a county lying partially within one congressional district and partially within another congressional district, each ward, township or precinct committeeman shall vote only with respect to the congressional district in which his ward, township, part of a township or precinct is located. In the case of a congressional district which encompasses more than one county, each ward, township or precinct committeeman residing within the congressional district shall cast as his vote one vote for each ballot voted in his ward, township, part of a township or precinct in the last preceding primary election of his political party for one candidate of his party for member of the State central committee for the congressional district in which he resides and the Chairman of the county central committee shall report the results of the election to the State Board of Elections. The State Board of Elections shall certify the candidate receiving the highest number of votes elected State central committeeman for that congressional district.

The State central committee shall adopt rules to provide for and govern the procedures to be followed in the election of members of the State central committee.

After the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 91st General Assembly, whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of Chairman of a State central committee, or at the end of the term of office of Chairman, the State central committee of each political party that has selected Alternative A shall elect a Chairman who shall not be required to be a member of the State Central Committee. The Chairman shall be a registered voter in this State and of the same political party as the State central committee.

Alternative B. Each congressional committee shall, within 30 days after the adoption of this alternative, appoint a person of the sex opposite that of the incumbent member for that congressional district to serve as an additional member of the State central committee until his or her successor is elected at the general primary election in 1986. Each congressional committee shall make this appointment by voting on the basis set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section. In each congressional district at the general primary election held in 1986 and every 4 years thereafter, the male candidate receiving the highest number of votes of the party's male candidates for State central committeeman, and the female candidate receiving the highest number of votes of the party's female candidates for State central committeewoman, shall be declared elected State central committeeman and State central committeewoman from the district. At the general primary election held in 1986 and every 4 years thereafter, if all a party's candidates for State central committeemen or State central committeewomen from a congressional district are of the same sex, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be declared elected a State central committeeman or State central committeewoman from the district, and, because of a failure to elect one male and one female to the committee, a vacancy shall be declared to exist in the office of the second member of the State central committee from the district. This vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the congressional committee of the political party, and the person appointed to fill the vacancy shall be a resident of the congressional district and of the sex opposite that of the committeeman or committeewoman elected at the general primary election. Each congressional committee shall make this appointment by voting on the basis set forth in paragraph (e) of this Section.

The Chairman of a State central committee composed as provided in this Alternative B must be selected from the committee's members.

Except as provided for in Alternative A with respect to the selection of the Chairman of the State central committee, under both of the foregoing alternatives, the State central committee of each political party shall be composed of members elected or appointed from the several congressional districts of the State, and of no other person or persons whomsoever. The members of the State central committee shall, within 41 30 days after each quadrennial election of the full committee, meet in the city of Springfield and organize by electing a chairman, and may at such time elect such officers from among their own number (or otherwise), as they may deem necessary or expedient. The outgoing chairman of the State central committee of the party shall, 10 days before the meeting, notify each member of the State central committee elected at the primary of the time and place of such meeting. In the organization and proceedings of the State central committee, each State central committeeman and State central committeewoman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his or her congressional district by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the State central committee. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the State central committee of any political party, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the chairmen of the county central committees of the political party of the counties located within the congressional district in which the vacancy occurs and, if applicable, the ward and township committeemen of the political party in counties of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants located within the congressional district. If the congressional district in which the vacancy occurs lies wholly within a county of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants, the ward and township committeemen of the political party in that congressional district shall vote to fill the vacancy. In voting to fill the vacancy, each chairman of a county central committee and each ward and township committeeman in counties of 2,000,000 or more inhabitants shall have one vote for each ballot voted in each precinct of the congressional district in which the vacancy exists of his or her county, township, or ward cast by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting to fill the vacancy in the State central committee. The person appointed to fill the vacancy shall be a resident of the congressional district in which the vacancy occurs, shall be a qualified voter, and, in a committee composed as provided in Alternative B, shall be of the same sex as his or her predecessor. A political party may, by a majority vote of the delegates of any State convention of such party, determine to return to the election of State central committeeman and State central committeewoman by the vote of primary electors. Any action taken by a political party at a State convention in accordance with this Section shall be reported to the State Board of Elections by the chairman and secretary of such convention within 10 days after such action.

Ward, Township and Precinct Committeemen

(b) At the primary held on the third Tuesday in March, 1972, and every 4 years thereafter, each primary elector in cities having a population of 200,000 or over may vote for one candidate of his party in his ward for ward committeeman. Each candidate for ward committeeman must be a resident of and in the ward where he seeks to be elected ward committeeman. The one having the highest number of votes shall be such ward committeeman of such party for such ward. At the primary election held on the third Tuesday in March, 1970, and every 4 years thereafter, each primary elector in counties containing a population of 2,000,000 or more, outside of cities containing a population of 200,000 or more, may vote for one candidate of his party for township committeeman. Each candidate for township committeeman must be a resident of and in the township or part of a township (which lies outside of a city having a population of 200,000 or more, in counties containing a population of 2,000,000 or more), and in which township or part of a township he seeks to be elected township committeeman. The one having the highest number of votes shall be such township committeeman of such party for such township or part of a township. At the primary held on the third Tuesday in March, 1970 and every 2 years thereafter, each primary elector, except in counties having a population of 2,000,000 or over, may vote for one candidate of his party in his precinct for precinct committeeman. Each candidate for precinct committeeman must be a bona fide resident of the precinct where he seeks to be elected precinct committeeman. The one having the highest number of votes shall be such precinct committeeman of such party for such precinct. The official returns of the primary shall show the name of the committeeman of each political party.

Terms of Committeemen. All precinct committeemen elected under the provisions of this Article shall continue as such committeemen until the date of the primary to be held in the second year after their election. Except as otherwise provided in this Section for certain State central committeemen who have 2 year terms, all State central committeemen, township committeemen and ward committeemen shall continue as such committeemen until the date of primary to be held in the fourth year after their election. However, a vacancy exists in the office of precinct committeeman when a precinct committeeman ceases to reside in the precinct in which he was elected and such precinct committeeman shall thereafter neither have nor exercise any rights, powers or duties as committeeman in that precinct, even if a successor has not been elected or appointed.

(c) The Multi-Township Central Committee shall consist of the precinct committeemen of such party, in the multi-township assessing district formed pursuant to Section 2-10 of the Property Tax Code and shall be organized for the purposes set forth in Section 45-25 of the Township Code. In the organization and proceedings of the Multi-Township Central Committee each precinct committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his precinct by the primary electors of his party at the primary at which he was elected.

County Central Committee

(d) The county central committee of each political party in each county shall consist of the various township committeemen, precinct committeemen and ward committeemen, if any, of such party in the county. In the organization and proceedings of the county central committee, each precinct committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his precinct by the primary electors of his party at the primary at which he was elected; each township committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his township or part of a township as the case may be by the primary electors of his party at the primary election for the nomination of candidates for election to the General Assembly immediately preceding the meeting of the county central committee; and in the organization and proceedings of the county central committee, each ward committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his ward by the primary electors of his party at the primary election for the nomination of candidates for election to the General Assembly immediately preceding the meeting of the county central committee.

Cook County Board of Review Election District Committee

(d-1) Each board of review election district committee of each political party in Cook County shall consist of the various township committeemen and ward committeemen, if any, of that party in the portions of the county composing the board of review election district. In the organization and proceedings of each of the 3 election district committees, each township committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his or her township or part of a township, as the case may be, by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the board of review election district committee; and in the organization and proceedings of each of the 3 election district committees, each ward committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his or her ward or part of that ward, as the case may be, by the primary electors of his or her party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the board of review election district committee.

Congressional Committee

(e) The congressional committee of each party in each congressional district shall be composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties composing the congressional district, except that in congressional districts wholly within the territorial limits of one county, or partly within 2 or more counties, but not coterminous with the county lines of all of such counties, the precinct committeemen, township committeemen and ward committeemen, if any, of the party representing the precincts within the limits of the congressional district, shall compose the congressional committee. A State central committeeman in each district shall be a member and the chairman or, when a district has 2 State central committeemen, a co-chairman of the congressional committee, but shall not have the right to vote except in case of a tie.

In the organization and proceedings of congressional committees composed of precinct committeemen or township committeemen or ward committeemen, or any combination thereof, each precinct committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his precinct by the primary electors of his party at the primary at which he was elected, each township committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his township or part of a township as the case may be by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the congressional committee, and each ward committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in each precinct of his ward located in such congressional district by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the congressional committee; and in the organization and proceedings of congressional committees composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties within such district, each chairman of such county central committee shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his county by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the congressional committee.

Judicial District Committee

(f) The judicial district committee of each political party in each judicial district shall be composed of the chairman of the county central committees of the counties composing the judicial district.

In the organization and proceedings of judicial district committees composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties within such district, each chairman of such county central committee shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his county by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the judicial district committee.

Circuit Court Committee

(g) The circuit court committee of each political party in each judicial circuit outside Cook County shall be composed of the chairmen of the county central committees of the counties composing the judicial circuit.

In the organization and proceedings of circuit court committees, each chairman of a county central committee shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his county by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the circuit court committee.

Judicial Subcircuit Committee

(g-1) The judicial subcircuit committee of each political party in each judicial subcircuit in a judicial circuit divided into subcircuits shall be composed of (i) the ward and township committeemen of the townships and wards composing the judicial subcircuit in Cook County and (ii) the precinct committeemen of the precincts composing the judicial subcircuit in any county other than Cook County.

In the organization and proceedings of each judicial subcircuit committee, each township committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his township or part of a township, as the case may be, in the judicial subcircuit by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the judicial subcircuit committee; each precinct committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his precinct or part of a precinct, as the case may be, in the judicial subcircuit by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the judicial subcircuit committee; and each ward committeeman shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his ward or part of a ward, as the case may be, in the judicial subcircuit by the primary electors of his party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting of the judicial subcircuit committee.

Municipal Central Committee

(h) The municipal central committee of each political party shall be composed of the precinct, township or ward committeemen, as the case may be, of such party representing the precincts or wards, embraced in such city, incorporated town or village. The voting strength of each precinct, township or ward committeeman on the municipal central committee shall be the same as his voting strength on the county central committee.

For political parties, other than a statewide political party, established only within a municipality or township, the municipal or township managing committee shall be composed of the party officers of the local established party. The party officers of a local established party shall be as follows: the chairman and secretary of the caucus for those municipalities and townships authorized by statute to nominate candidates by caucus shall serve as party officers for the purpose of filling vacancies in nomination under Section 7-61; for municipalities and townships authorized by statute or ordinance to nominate candidates by petition and primary election, the party officers shall be the party's candidates who are nominated at the primary. If no party primary was held because of the provisions of Section 7-5, vacancies in nomination shall be filled by the party's remaining candidates who shall serve as the party's officers.

Powers

(i) Each committee and its officers shall have the powers usually exercised by such committees and by the officers thereof, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Article. The several committees herein provided for shall not have power to delegate any of their powers, or functions to any other person, officer or committee, but this shall not be construed to prevent a committee from appointing from its own membership proper and necessary subcommittees.

(j) The State central committee of a political party which elects it members by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of this Section shall adopt a plan to give effect to the delegate selection rules of the national political party and file a copy of such plan with the State Board of Elections when approved by a national political party.

(k) For the purpose of the designation of a proxy by a Congressional Committee to vote in place of an absent State central committeeman or committeewoman at meetings of the State central committee of a political party which elects its members by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of this Section, the proxy shall be appointed by the vote of the ward and township committeemen, if any, of the wards and townships which lie entirely or partially within the Congressional District from which the absent State central committeeman or committeewoman was elected and the vote of the chairmen of the county central committees of those counties which lie entirely or partially within that Congressional District and in which there are no ward or township committeemen. When voting for such proxy the county chairman, ward committeeman or township committeeman, as the case may be shall have one vote for each ballot voted in his county, ward or township, or portion thereof within the Congressional District, by the primary electors of his party at the primary at which he was elected. However, the absent State central committeeman or committeewoman may designate a proxy when permitted by the rules of a political party which elects its members by Alternative B under paragraph (a) of this Section.

Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person is ineligible to hold the position of committeeperson in any committee established pursuant to this Section if he or she is statutorily ineligible to vote in a general election because of conviction of a felony. When a committeeperson is convicted of a felony, the position occupied by that committeeperson shall automatically become vacant.

(Source: P.A. 93-541, eff. 8-18-03; 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-10)

Sec. 7-10. Form of petition for nomination. The name of no candidate for nomination, or State central committeeman, or township committeeman, or precinct committeeman, or ward committeeman or candidate for delegate or alternate delegate to national nominating conventions, shall be printed upon the primary ballot unless a petition for nomination has been filed in his behalf as provided in this Article in substantially the following form:

We, the undersigned, members of and affiliated with the .... party and qualified primary electors of the .... party, in the .... of ...., in the county of .... and State of Illinois, do hereby petition that the following named person or persons shall be a candidate or candidates of the .... party for the nomination for (or in case of committeemen for election to) the office or offices hereinafter specified, to be voted for at the primary election to be held on (insert date).

Name.................. Address.......................

State of Illinois) ) ss. County of........)

I, ...., do hereby certify that I reside at No. .... street, in the .... of ...., county of ...., and State of ....., that I am 18 years of age or older, that I am a citizen of the United States, and that the signatures on this sheet were signed in my presence, and are genuine, and that to the best of my knowledge and belief the persons so signing were at the time of signing the petitions qualified voters of the .... party, and that their respective residences are correctly stated, as above set forth.

.........................

Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).

.........................

Each sheet of the petition other than the statement of candidacy and candidate's statement shall be of uniform size and shall contain above the space for signatures an appropriate heading giving the information as to name of candidate or candidates, in whose behalf such petition is signed; the office, the political party represented and place of residence; and the heading of each sheet shall be the same.

Such petition shall be signed by qualified primary electors residing in the political division for which the nomination is sought in their own proper persons only and opposite the signature of each signer, his residence address shall be written or printed. The residence address required to be written or printed opposite each qualified primary elector's name shall include the street address or rural route number of the signer, as the case may be, as well as the signer's county, and city, village or town, and state. However the county or city, village or town, and state of residence of the electors may be printed on the petition forms where all of the electors signing the petition reside in the same county or city, village or town, and state. Standard abbreviations may be used in writing the residence address, including street number, if any. At the bottom of each sheet of such petition shall be added a circulator statement signed by a person 18 years of age or older who is a citizen of the United States, stating the street address or rural route number, as the case may be, as well as the county, city, village or town, and state; and certifying that the signatures on that sheet of the petition were signed in his or her presence and certifying that the signatures are genuine; and either (1) indicating the dates on which that sheet was circulated, or (2) indicating the first and last dates on which the sheet was circulated, or (3) certifying that none of the signatures on the sheet were signed more than 90 days preceding the last day for the filing of the petition and certifying that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief the persons so signing were at the time of signing the petitions qualified voters of the political party for which a nomination is sought. Such statement shall be sworn to before some officer authorized to administer oaths in this State.

No petition sheet shall be circulated more than 90 days preceding the last day provided in Section 7-12 for the filing of such petition.

The person circulating the petition, or the candidate on whose behalf the petition is circulated, may strike any signature from the petition, provided that:

(1) the person striking the signature shall initial the petition at the place where the signature is struck; and

(2) the person striking the signature shall sign a certification listing the page number and line number of each signature struck from the petition. Such certification shall be filed as a part of the petition.

Such sheets before being filed shall be neatly fastened together in book form, by placing the sheets in a pile and fastening them together at one edge in a secure and suitable manner, and the sheets shall then be numbered consecutively. The sheets shall not be fastened by pasting them together end to end, so as to form a continuous strip or roll. All petition sheets which are filed with the proper local election officials, election authorities or the State Board of Elections shall be the original sheets which have been signed by the voters and by the circulator thereof, and not photocopies or duplicates of such sheets. Each petition must include as a part thereof, a statement of candidacy for each of the candidates filing, or in whose behalf the petition is filed. This statement shall set out the address of such candidate, the office for which he is a candidate, shall state that the candidate is a qualified primary voter of the party to which the petition relates and is qualified for the office specified (in the case of a candidate for State's Attorney it shall state that the candidate is at the time of filing such statement a licensed attorney-at-law of this State), shall state that he has filed (or will file before the close of the petition filing period) a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, shall request that the candidate's name be placed upon the official ballot, and shall be subscribed and sworn to by such candidate before some officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds in the State and shall be in substantially the following form:

Statement of Candidacy

State of Illinois) ) ss. County of .......)

I, ...., being first duly sworn, say that I reside at .... Street in the city (or village) of ...., in the county of ...., State of Illinois; that I am a qualified voter therein and am a qualified primary voter of the .... party; that I am a candidate for nomination (for election in the case of committeeman and delegates and alternate delegates) to the office of .... to be voted upon at the primary election to be held on (insert date); that I am legally qualified (including being the holder of any license that may be an eligibility requirement for the office I seek the nomination for) to hold such office and that I have filed (or I will file before the close of the petition filing period) a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official primary ballot for nomination for (or election to in the case of committeemen and delegates and alternate delegates) such office.

Signed ......................

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ...., who is to me personally known, on (insert date).

Signed ....................

(Official Character)

(Seal, if officer has one.)

The petitions, when filed, shall not be withdrawn or added to, and no signatures shall be revoked except by revocation filed in writing with the State Board of Elections, election authority or local election official with whom the petition is required to be filed, and before the filing of such petition. Whoever forges the name of a signer upon any petition required by this Article is deemed guilty of a forgery and on conviction thereof shall be punished accordingly.

A candidate for the offices listed in this Section must obtain the number of signatures specified in this Section on his or her petition for nomination.

(a) Statewide office or delegate to a national nominating convention. If a candidate seeks to run for statewide office or as a delegate or alternate delegate to a national nominating convention elected from the State at-large, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least 5,000 but not more than 10,000 signatures.

(b) Congressional office or congressional delegate to a national nominating convention. If a candidate seeks to run for United States Congress or as a congressional delegate or alternate congressional delegate to a national nominating convention elected from a congressional district, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party in his or her congressional district. In the first primary election following a redistricting of congressional districts, a candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least 600 signatures of qualified primary electors of the candidate's political party in his or her congressional district.

(c) County office. If a candidate seeks to run for any countywide office, including but not limited to county board chairperson or county board member, elected on an at-large basis, in a county other than Cook County, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party who cast votes at the last preceding general election in his or her county. If a candidate seeks to run for county board member elected from a county board district, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party in the county board district. In the first primary election following a redistricting of county board districts or the initial establishment of county board districts, a candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party in the entire county who cast votes at the last preceding general election divided by the total number of county board districts comprising the county board; provided that in no event shall the number of signatures be less than 25.

(d) County office; Cook County only.

(1) If a candidate seeks to run for countywide office in Cook County, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party who cast votes at the last preceding general election in Cook County.

(2) If a candidate seeks to run for Cook County Board Commissioner, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party in his or her county board district. In the first primary election following a redistricting of Cook County Board of Commissioners districts, a candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified electors of his or her party in the entire county who cast votes at the last preceding general election divided by the total number of county board districts comprising the county board; provided that in no event shall the number of signatures be less than 25.

(3) If a candidate seeks to run for Cook County Board of Review Commissioner, which is elected from a district pursuant to subsection (c) of Section 5-5 of the Property Tax Code, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the total number of registered voters in his or her board of review district in the last general election at which a commissioner was regularly scheduled to be elected from that board of review district. In no event shall the number of signatures required be greater than the requisite number for a candidate who seeks countywide office in Cook County under subsection (d)(1) of this Section. In the first primary election following a redistricting of Cook County Board of Review districts, a candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least 4,000 signatures or at least the number of signatures required for a countywide candidate in Cook County, whichever is less, of the qualified electors of his or her party in the district.

(e) Municipal or township office. If a candidate seeks to run for municipal or township office, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party in the municipality or township. If a candidate seeks to run for alderman of a municipality, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the qualified primary electors of his or her party of the ward. In the first primary election following redistricting of aldermanic wards or trustee districts of a municipality or the initial establishment of wards or districts, a candidate's petition for nomination must contain the number of signatures equal to at least 0.5% of the total number of votes cast for the candidate of that political party who received the highest number of votes in the entire municipality at the last regular election at which an officer was regularly scheduled to be elected from the entire municipality, divided by the number of wards or districts. In no event shall the number of signatures be less than 25.

(f) State central committeeperson. If a candidate seeks to run for State central committeeperson, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least 100 signatures of the primary electors of his or her party of his or her congressional district.

(g) Sanitary district trustee. If a candidate seeks to run for trustee of a sanitary district in which trustees are not elected from wards, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the primary electors of his or her party from the sanitary district. If a candidate seeks to run for trustee of a sanitary district in which trustees are elected from wards, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the primary electors of his or her party in the ward of that sanitary district. In the first primary election following redistricting of sanitary districts elected from wards, a candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the signatures of 150 qualified primary electors of his or her ward of that sanitary district.

(h) Judicial office. If a candidate seeks to run for judicial office in a district, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain the number of signatures equal to 0.4% of the number of votes cast in that district for the candidate for his or her political party for the office of Governor at the last general election at which a Governor was elected, but in no event less than 500 signatures. If a candidate seeks to run for judicial office in a district, circuit, or subcircuit, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain the number of signatures equal to 0.25% of the number of votes cast for the judicial candidate of his or her political party who received the highest number of votes at the last general election at which a judicial officer from the same district, circuit, or subcircuit was regularly scheduled to be elected, but in no event less than 500 signatures.

(i) Precinct, ward, and township committeeperson. If a candidate seeks to run for precinct committeeperson, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least 10 signatures of the primary electors of his or her party for the precinct. If a candidate seeks to run for ward committeeperson, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain no less than the number of signatures equal to 10% of the primary electors of his or her party of the ward, but no more than 16% of those same electors; provided that the maximum number of signatures may be 50 more than the minimum number, whichever is greater. If a candidate seeks to run for township committeeperson, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain no less than the number of signatures equal to 5% of the primary electors of his or her party of the township, but no more than 8% of those same electors; provided that the maximum number of signatures may be 50 more than the minimum number, whichever is greater.

(j) State's attorney or regional superintendent of schools for multiple counties. If a candidate seeks to run for State's attorney or regional Superintendent of Schools who serves more than one county, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the primary electors of his or her party in the territory comprising the counties.

(k) Any other office. If a candidate seeks any other office, then the candidate's petition for nomination must contain at least the number of signatures equal to 0.5% of the registered voters of the political subdivision, district, or division for which the nomination is made or 25 signatures, whichever is greater.

For purposes of this Section the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total vote cast, in the applicable district, for the candidate for that political party who received the highest number of votes, statewide, at the last general election in the State at which electors for President of the United States were elected. For political subdivisions, the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total vote cast for the candidate for that political party who received the highest number of votes in the political subdivision at the last regular election at which an officer was regularly scheduled to be elected from that subdivision. For wards or districts of political subdivisions, the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total vote cast for the candidate for that political party who received the highest number of votes in the ward or district at the last regular election at which an officer was regularly scheduled to be elected from that ward or district.

A "qualified primary elector" of a party may not sign petitions for or be a candidate in the primary of more than one party.

The changes made to this Section of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly are declarative of existing law, except for item (3) of subsection (d).

Petitions of candidates for nomination for offices herein specified, to be filed with the same officer, may contain the names of 2 or more candidates of the same political party for the same or different offices.

(Source: P.A. 92-16, eff. 6-28-01; 92-129, eff. 7-20-01; 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-15)

Sec. 7-15. At least 60 days prior to each general and consolidated primary, the election authority shall provide public notice, calculated to reach elderly and handicapped voters, of the availability of registration and voting aids under the Federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, of the availability of assistance in marking the ballot, and procedures for voting by absentee ballot, and procedures for early voting by personal appearance. At least 20 days before the general primary the county clerk of each county, and not more than 30 nor less than 10 days before the consolidated primary the election authority, shall prepare in the manner provided in this Act, a notice of such primary which notice shall state the time and place of holding the primary, the hours during which the polls will be open, the offices for which candidates will be nominated at such primary and the political parties entitled to participate therein, notwithstanding that no candidate of any such political party may be entitled to have his name printed on the primary ballot. Such notice shall also include the list of addresses of precinct polling places for the consolidated primary unless such list is separately published by the election authority not less than 10 days before the consolidated primary.

In counties, municipalities, or towns having fewer than 500,000 inhabitants notice of the general primary shall be published once in two or more newspapers published in the county, municipality or town, as the case may be, or if there is no such newspaper, then in any two or more newspapers published in the county and having a general circulation throughout the community.

In counties, municipalities, or towns having 500,000 or more inhabitants notice of the general primary shall be published at least 15 days prior to the primary by the same authorities and in the same manner as notice of election for general elections are required to be published in counties, municipalities or towns of 500,000 or more inhabitants under this Act.

Notice of the consolidated primary shall be published once in one or more newspapers published in each political subdivision having such primary, and if there is no such newspaper, then published once in a local, community newspaper having general circulation in the subdivision, and also once in a newspaper published in the county wherein the political subdivisions, or portions thereof, having such primary are situated.

(Source: P.A. 84-808.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-34) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-34)

Sec. 7-34. Pollwatchers in a primary election shall be authorized in the following manner:

(1) Each established political party shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. Such pollwatchers must be affiliated with the political party for which they are pollwatching and must be a registered voter in Illinois.

(2) Each candidate shall be entitled to appoint two pollwatchers per precinct. For Federal, State, and county, township, and municipal primary elections, the pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(3) Each organization of citizens within the county or political subdivision, which has among its purposes or interests the investigation or prosecution of election frauds, and which shall have registered its name and address and the names and addresses of its principal officers with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the primary election, shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. For all primary elections, the pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(4) Each organized group of proponents or opponents of a ballot proposition, which shall have registered the name and address of its organization or committee and the name and address of its chairman with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the primary election, shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. The pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(5) In any primary election held to nominate candidates for the offices of a municipality of less than 3,000,000 population that is situated in 2 or more counties, a pollwatcher who is a resident of a county in which any part of the municipality is situated shall be eligible to serve as a pollwatcher in any polling place located within such municipality, provided that such pollwatcher otherwise complies with the respective requirements of subsections (1) through (4) of this Section and is a registered voter whose residence is within Illinois.

All pollwatchers shall be required to have proper credentials. Such credentials shall be printed in sufficient quantities, shall be issued by and under the facsimile signature(s) of the election authority and shall be available for distribution at least 2 weeks prior to the election. Such credentials shall be authorized by the real or facsimile signature of the State or local party official or the candidate or the presiding officer of the civic organization or the chairman of the proponent or opponent group, as the case may be.

Pollwatcher credentials shall be in substantially the following form:

POLLWATCHER CREDENTIALS

TO THE JUDGES OF ELECTION:

In accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, the undersigned hereby appoints ........... (name of pollwatcher) at .......... (address) in the county of ..........., .......... (township or municipality) of ........... (name), State of Illinois and who is duly registered to vote from this address, to act as a pollwatcher in the ........... precinct of the .......... ward (if applicable) of the ........... (township or municipality) of ........... at the ........... election to be held on (insert date).

........................ (Signature of Appointing Authority)

........................ TITLE (party official, candidate, civic organization president, proponent or opponent group chairman)

Under penalties provided by law pursuant to Section 29-10 of the Election Code, the undersigned pollwatcher certifies that he or she resides at .............. (address) in the county of ........., ......... (township or municipality) of .......... (name), State of Illinois, and is duly registered to vote in Illinois.

........................... ..........................

(Precinct and/or Ward in (Signature of Pollwatcher)

Which Pollwatcher Resides)

Pollwatchers must present their credentials to the Judges of Election upon entering the polling place. Pollwatcher credentials properly executed and signed shall be proof of the qualifications of the pollwatcher authorized thereby. Such credentials are retained by the Judges and returned to the Election Authority at the end of the day of election with the other election materials. Once a pollwatcher has surrendered a valid credential, he may leave and reenter the polling place provided that such continuing action does not disrupt the conduct of the election. Pollwatchers may be substituted during the course of the day, but established political parties, candidates, qualified civic organizations and proponents and opponents of a ballot proposition can have only as many pollwatchers at any given time as are authorized in this Article. A substitute must present his signed credential to the judges of election upon entering the polling place. Election authorities must provide a sufficient number of credentials to allow for substitution of pollwatchers. After the polls have closed, pollwatchers shall be allowed to remain until the canvass of votes is completed; but may leave and reenter only in cases of necessity, provided that such action is not so continuous as to disrupt the canvass of votes.

Candidates seeking office in a district or municipality encompassing 2 or more counties shall be admitted to any and all polling places throughout such district or municipality without regard to the counties in which such candidates are registered to vote. Actions of such candidates shall be governed in each polling place by the same privileges and limitations that apply to pollwatchers as provided in this Section. Any such candidate who engages in an activity in a polling place which could reasonably be construed by a majority of the judges of election as campaign activity shall be removed forthwith from such polling place.

Candidates seeking office in a district or municipality encompassing 2 or more counties who desire to be admitted to polling places on election day in such district or municipality shall be required to have proper credentials. Such credentials shall be printed in sufficient quantities, shall be issued by and under the facsimile signature of the election authority of the election jurisdiction where the polling place in which the candidate seeks admittance is located, and shall be available for distribution at least 2 weeks prior to the election. Such credentials shall be signed by the candidate.

Candidate credentials shall be in substantially the following form:

CANDIDATE CREDENTIALS

TO THE JUDGES OF ELECTION:

In accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, I ...... (name of candidate) hereby certify that I am a candidate for ....... (name of office) and seek admittance to ....... precinct of the ....... ward (if applicable) of the ....... (township or municipality) of ....... at the ....... election to be held on (insert date).

......................... .......................

(Signature of Candidate) OFFICE FOR WHICH CANDIDATE SEEKS NOMINATION OR ELECTION

Pollwatchers shall be permitted to observe all proceedings and view all reasonably requested records relating to the conduct of the election, provided the secrecy of the ballot is not impinged, and to station themselves in a position in the voting room as will enable them to observe the judges making the signature comparison between the voter application and the voter registration record card; provided, however, that such pollwatchers shall not be permitted to station themselves in such close proximity to the judges of election so as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election and shall not, in any event, be permitted to handle election materials. Pollwatchers may challenge for cause the voting qualifications of a person offering to vote and may call to the attention of the judges of election any incorrect procedure or apparent violations of this Code.

If a majority of the judges of election determine that the polling place has become too overcrowded with pollwatchers so as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election, the judges shall, by lot, limit such pollwatchers to a reasonable number, except that each candidate and each established or new political party shall be permitted to have at least one pollwatcher present.

Representatives of an election authority, with regard to an election under its jurisdiction, the State Board of Elections, and law enforcement agencies, including but not limited to a United States Attorney, a State's attorney, the Attorney General, and a State, county, or local police department, in the performance of their official election duties, shall be permitted at all times to enter and remain in the polling place. Upon entering the polling place, such representatives shall display their official credentials or other identification to the judges of election.

Uniformed police officers assigned to polling place duty shall follow all lawful instructions of the judges of election.

The provisions of this Section shall also apply to supervised casting of absentee ballots as provided in Section 19-12.2 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-56) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-56)

Sec. 7-56. As soon as complete returns are delivered to the proper election authority, the returns shall be canvassed for all primary elections as follows:

1. In the case of the nomination of candidates for city offices, by the mayor, the city attorney and the city clerk.

2. In the case of nomination of candidates for village offices, by the president of the board of trustees, one member of the board of trustees, and the village clerk.

3. In the case of nomination of candidates for township offices, by the town supervisor, the town assessor and the town clerk; in the case of nomination of candidates for incorporated town offices, by the corporate authorities of the incorporated town.

3.5. For multi-township assessment districts, by the chairman, clerk, and assessor of the multi-township assessment district.

4. For road district offices, by the highway commissioner and the road district clerk.

5. The officers who are charged by law with the duty of canvassing returns of general elections made to the county clerk, shall also open and canvass the returns of a primary made to such county clerk. Upon the completion of the canvass of the returns by the county canvassing board, said canvassing board shall make a tabulated statement of the returns for each political party separately, stating in appropriate columns and under proper headings, the total number of votes cast in said county for each candidate for nomination by said party, including candidates for President of the United States and for State central committeemen, and for delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions, and for precinct committeemen, township committeemen, and for ward committeemen. Within two (2) days after the completion of said canvass by said canvassing board the county clerk shall mail to the State Board of Elections a certified copy of such tabulated statement of returns. Provided, however, that the number of votes cast for the nomination for offices, the certificates of election for which offices, under this Act or any other laws are issued by the county clerk shall not be included in such certified copy of said tabulated statement of returns, nor shall the returns on the election of precinct, township or ward committeemen be so certified to the State Board of Elections. The said officers shall also determine and set down as to each precinct the number of ballots voted by the primary electors of each party at the primary.

6. In the case of the nomination of candidates for offices, including President of the United States and the State central committeemen, and delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions, certified tabulated statement of returns for which are filed with the State Board of Elections, said returns shall be canvassed by the board. And, provided, further, that within 5 days after said returns shall be canvassed by the said Board, the Board shall cause to be published in one daily newspaper of general circulation at the seat of the State government in Springfield a certified statement of the returns filed in its office, showing the total vote cast in the State for each candidate of each political party for President of the United States, and showing the total vote for each candidate of each political party for President of the United States, cast in each of the several congressional districts in the State.

7. Where in cities or villages which have a board of election commissioners, the returns of a primary are made to such board of election commissioners, said return shall be canvassed by such board, and, excepting in the case of the nomination for any municipal office, tabulated statements of the returns of such primary shall be made to the county clerk.

8. Within 48 hours of the delivery of complete returns of the consolidated primary to the election authority, the election authority shall deliver an original certificate of results to each local election official, with respect to whose political subdivisions nominations were made at such primary, for each precinct in his jurisdiction in which such nominations were on the ballot. Such original certificate of results need not include any offices or nominations for any other political subdivisions. The local election official shall immediately transmit the certificates to the canvassing board for his political subdivisions, which shall open and canvass the returns, make a tabulated statement of the returns for each political party separately, and as nearly as possible, follow the procedures required for the county canvassing board. Such canvass of votes shall be conducted within 21 7 days after the close of the consolidated primary.

(Source: P.A. 87-1052.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-60) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-60)

Sec. 7-60. Not less than 67 days before the date of the general election, the State Board of Elections shall certify to the county clerks the names of each of the candidates who have been nominated as shown by the proclamation of the State Board of Elections as a canvassing board or who have been nominated to fill a vacancy in nomination and direct the election authority to place upon the official ballot for the general election the names of such candidates in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon the certification, except as otherwise provided in this Section.

Not less than 61 days before the date of the general election, each county clerk shall certify the names of each of the candidates for county offices who have been nominated as shown by the proclamation of the county canvassing board or who have been nominated to fill a vacancy in nomination and declare that the names of such candidates for the respective offices shall be placed upon the official ballot for the general election in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon the certification, except as otherwise provided by this Section. Each county clerk shall place a copy of the certification on file in his or her office and at the same time issue to the State Board of Elections a copy of such certification. In addition, each county clerk in whose county there is a board of election commissioners shall, not less than 61 days before the date of the general election, issue to such board a copy of the certification that has been filed in the county clerk's office, together with a copy of the certification that has been issued to the clerk by the State Board of Elections, with directions to the board of election commissioners to place upon the official ballot for the general election in that election jurisdiction the names of all candidates that are listed on such certifications, in the same manner and in the same order as shown upon such certifications, except as otherwise provided in this Section.

Whenever there are two or more persons nominated by the same political party for multiple offices for any board, the name of the candidate of such party receiving the highest number of votes in the primary election as a candidate for such office, as shown by the official election returns of the primary, shall be certified first under the name of such offices, and the names of the remaining candidates of such party for such offices shall follow in the order of the number of votes received by them respectively at the primary election as shown by the official election results.

No person who is shown by the canvassing board's proclamation to have been nominated or elected at the primary as a write-in candidate shall have his or her name certified unless such person shall have filed with the certifying office or board within 10 days after the canvassing board's proclamation a statement of candidacy pursuant to Section 7-10, and a statement pursuant to Section 7-10.1, and a receipt for the filing of a statement of economic interests in relation to the unit of government to which he or she has been elected or nominated.

Each county clerk and board of election commissioners shall determine by a fair and impartial method of random selection the order of placement of established political party candidates for the general election ballot. Such determination shall be made within 30 days following the canvass and proclamation of the results of the general primary in the office of the county clerk or board of election commissioners and shall be open to the public. Seven days written notice of the time and place of conducting such random selection shall be given, by each such election authority, to the County Chairman of each established political party, and to each organization of citizens within the election jurisdiction which was entitled, under this Article, at the next preceding election, to have pollwatchers present on the day of election. Each election authority shall post in a conspicuous, open and public place, at the entrance of the election authority office, notice of the time and place of such lottery. However, a board of election commissioners may elect to place established political party candidates on the general election ballot in the same order determined by the county clerk of the county in which the city under the jurisdiction of such board is located.

Each certification shall indicate, where applicable, the following:

(1) The political party affiliation of the candidates for the respective offices;

(2) If there is to be more than one candidate elected to an office from the State, political subdivision or district;

(3) If the voter has the right to vote for more than one candidate for an office;

(4) The term of office, if a vacancy is to be filled for less than a full term or if the offices to be filled in a political subdivision are for different terms.

The State Board of Elections or the county clerk, as the case may be, shall issue an amended certification whenever it is discovered that the original certification is in error.

(Source: P.A. 86-867; 86-875; 86-1028.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-61) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-61)

Sec. 7-61. Whenever a special election is necessary the provisions of this Article are applicable to the nomination of candidates to be voted for at such special election.

In cases where a primary election is required the officer or board or commission whose duty it is under the provisions of this Act relating to general elections to call an election, shall fix a date for the primary for the nomination of candidates to be voted for at such special election. Notice of such primary shall be given at least 15 days prior to the maximum time provided for the filing of petitions for such a primary as provided in Section 7-12.

Any vacancy in nomination under the provisions of this Article 7 occurring on or after the primary and prior to certification of candidates by the certifying board or officer, must be filled prior to the date of certification. Any vacancy in nomination occurring after certification but prior to 15 days before the general election shall be filled within 8 days after the event creating the vacancy. The resolution filling the vacancy shall be sent by U. S. mail or personal delivery to the certifying officer or board within 3 days of the action by which the vacancy was filled; provided, if such resolution is sent by mail and the U. S. postmark on the envelope containing such resolution is dated prior to the expiration of such 3 day limit, the resolution shall be deemed filed within such 3 day limit. Failure to so transmit the resolution within the time specified in this Section shall authorize the certifying officer or board to certify the original candidate. Vacancies shall be filled by the officers of a local municipal or township political party as specified in subsection (h) of Section 7-8, other than a statewide political party, that is established only within a municipality or township and the managing committee (or legislative committee in case of a candidate for State Senator or representative committee in the case of a candidate for State Representative in the General Assembly or State central committee in the case of a candidate for statewide office, including but not limited to the office of United States Senator) of the respective political party for the territorial area in which such vacancy occurs.

The resolution to fill a vacancy in nomination shall be duly acknowledged before an officer qualified to take acknowledgements of deeds and shall include, upon its face, the following information:

(a) the name of the original nominee and the office vacated;

(b) the date on which the vacancy occurred;

(c) the name and address of the nominee selected to fill the vacancy and the date of selection.

The resolution to fill a vacancy in nomination shall be accompanied by a Statement of Candidacy, as prescribed in Section 7-10, completed by the selected nominee and a receipt indicating that such nominee has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

The provisions of Section 10-8 through 10-10.1 relating to objections to certificates of nomination and nomination papers, hearings on objections, and judicial review, shall apply to and govern objections to resolutions for filling a vacancy in nomination.

Any vacancy in nomination occurring 15 days or less before the consolidated election or the general election shall not be filled. In this event, the certification of the original candidate shall stand and his name shall appear on the official ballot to be voted at the general election.

A vacancy in nomination occurs when a candidate who has been nominated under the provisions of this Article 7 dies before the election (whether death occurs prior to, on or after the day of the primary), or declines the nomination; provided that nominations may become vacant for other reasons.

If the name of no established political party candidate was printed on the consolidated primary ballot for a particular office and if no person was nominated as a write-in candidate for such office, a vacancy in nomination shall be created which may be filled in accordance with the requirements of this Section. If the name of no established political party candidate was printed on the general primary ballot for a particular office and if no person was nominated as a write-in candidate for such office, a vacancy in nomination shall be created, but no candidate of the party for the office shall be listed on the ballot at the general election unless such vacancy is filled in accordance with the requirements of this Section within 60 days after the date of the general primary.

A candidate for whom a nomination paper has been filed as a partisan candidate at a primary election, and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such primary election, is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of another political party.

A candidate seeking election to an office for which candidates of political parties are nominated by caucus who is a participant in the caucus and who is defeated for his or her nomination at such caucus, is ineligible to be listed on the ballot at that general or consolidated election as a candidate of another political party.

In the proceedings to nominate a candidate to fill a vacancy or to fill a vacancy in the nomination, each precinct, township, ward, county or congressional district, as the case may be, shall through its representative on such central or managing committee, be entitled to one vote for each ballot voted in such precinct, township, ward, county or congressional district, as the case may be, by the primary electors of its party at the primary election immediately preceding the meeting at which such vacancy is to be filled.

For purposes of this Section, the words "certify" and "certification" shall refer to the act of officially declaring the names of candidates entitled to be printed upon the official ballot at an election and directing election authorities to place the names of such candidates upon the official ballot. "Certifying officers or board" shall refer to the local election official, election authority or the State Board of Elections, as the case may be, with whom nomination papers, including certificates of nomination and resolutions to fill vacancies in nomination, are filed and whose duty it is to "certify" candidates.

(Source: P.A. 86-867; 86-1348; 87-1052.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-100 new)

Sec. 7-100. Definition of a vote.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the purpose of this Article, a person casts a valid vote on a punch card ballot when:

(1) A chad on the card has at least one corner detached from the card;

(2) The fibers of paper on at least one edge of the chad are broken in a way that permits unimpeded light to be seen through the card; or

(3) An indentation on the chad from the stylus or other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote based on the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to any pattern or frequency of indentations on other ballot positions from the same ballot card.

(b) Write-in votes shall be counted in a manner consistent with the existing provisions of this Code.

(c) For purposes of this Section, a "chad" is that portion of a ballot card that a voter punches or perforates with a stylus or other designated marking device to manifest his or her vote for a particular ballot position on a ballot card as defined in subsection (a).

(d) Prior to the original counting of any punch card ballots, an election judge may not alter a punch card ballot in any manner, including, but not limited to, the removal or manipulation of chads.

(10 ILCS 5/8-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 8-8)

Sec. 8-8. Form of petition for nomination. The name of no candidate for nomination shall be printed upon the primary ballot unless a petition for nomination shall have been filed in his behalf as provided for in this Section. Each such petition shall include as a part thereof the oath required by Section 7-10.1 of this Act and a statement of candidacy by the candidate filing or in whose behalf the petition is filed. This statement shall set out the address of such candidate, the office for which he is a candidate, shall state that the candidate is a qualified primary voter of the party to which the petition relates, is qualified for the office specified and has filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act, shall request that the candidate's name be placed upon the official ballot and shall be subscribed and sworn by such candidate before some officer authorized to take acknowledgment of deeds in this State and may be in substantially the following form:

State of Illinois) ) ss. County ..........)

I, ...., being first duly sworn, say that I reside at .... street in the city (or village of) .... in the county of .... State of Illinois; that I am a qualified voter therein and am a qualified primary voter of .... party; that I am a candidate for nomination to the office of .... to be voted upon at the primary election to be held on (insert date); that I am legally qualified to hold such office and that I have filed a statement of economic interests as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and I hereby request that my name be printed upon the official primary ballot for nomination for such office.

Signed ....................

Subscribed and sworn to (or affirmed) before me by ...., who is to me personally known, on (insert date).

Signed .... (Official Character)

(Seal if officer has one.)

The receipt issued by the Secretary of State indicating that the candidate has filed the statement of economic interests required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act must be filed with the petitions for nomination as provided in subsection (8) of Section 7-12 of this Code.

All petitions for nomination for the office of State Senator shall be signed by 1% or 1,000 600, whichever is greater, of the qualified primary electors of the candidate's party in his legislative district, except that for the first primary following a redistricting of legislative districts, such petitions shall be signed by at least 1,000 600 qualified primary electors of the candidate's party in his legislative district.

All petitions for nomination for the office of Representative in the General Assembly shall be signed by at least 1% or 500 300, whichever is greater, of the qualified primary electors of the candidate's party in his or her representative district, except that for the first primary following a redistricting of representative districts such petitions shall be signed by at least 500 300 qualified primary electors of the candidate's party in his or her representative district.

Opposite the signature of each qualified primary elector who signs a petition for nomination for the office of State Representative or State Senator such elector's residence address shall be written or printed. The residence address required to be written or printed opposite each qualified primary elector's name shall include the street address or rural route number of the signer, as the case may be, as well as the signer's county and city, village or town.

For the purposes of this Section, the number of primary electors shall be determined by taking the total vote cast, in the applicable district, for the candidate for such political party who received the highest number of votes, state-wide, at the last general election in the State at which electors for President of the United States were elected.

A "qualified primary elector" of a party may not sign petitions for or be a candidate in the primary of more than one party.

In the affidavit at the bottom of each sheet, the petition circulator, who shall be a person 18 years of age or older who is a citizen of the United States, shall state his or her street address or rural route number, as the case may be, as well as his or her county, city, village or town, and state; and shall certify that the signatures on that sheet of the petition were signed in his or her presence; and shall certify that the signatures are genuine; and shall certify that to the best of his or her knowledge and belief the persons so signing were at the time of signing the petition qualified primary voters for which the nomination is sought.

In the affidavit at the bottom of each petition sheet, the petition circulator shall either (1) indicate the dates on which he or she circulated that sheet, or (2) indicate the first and last dates on which the sheet was circulated, or (3) certify that none of the signatures on the sheet were signed more than 90 days preceding the last day for the filing of the petition. No petition sheet shall be circulated more than 90 days preceding the last day provided in Section 8-9 for the filing of such petition.

All petition sheets which are filed with the State Board of Elections shall be the original sheets which have been signed by the voters and by the circulator, and not photocopies or duplicates of such sheets.

The person circulating the petition, or the candidate on whose behalf the petition is circulated, may strike any signature from the petition, provided that:

(1) the person striking the signature shall initial the petition at the place where the signature is struck; and

(2) the person striking the signature shall sign a certification listing the page number and line number of each signature struck from the petition. Such certification shall be filed as a part of the petition.

(Source: P.A. 91-57, eff. 6-30-99; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99; 92-129, eff. 7-20-01.)

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.4) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-1.4)

Sec. 9-1.4. "Contribution" means-

(1) a gift, subscription, donation, dues, loan, advance, or deposit of money or anything of value, knowingly received in connection with the nomination for election, or election, of any person to public office, in connection with the election of any person as ward or township committeeman in counties of 3,000,000 or more population, or in connection with any question of public policy;

(1.5) a gift, subscription, donation, dues, loan, advance, deposit of money, or anything of value that constitutes an electioneering communication regardless of whether the communication is made in concert or cooperation with or at the request, suggestion, or knowledge of a candidate, a candidate's authorized local political committee, a State political committee, a political committee in support of or opposition to a question of public policy, or any of their agents;

(2) the purchase of tickets for fund-raising events, including but not limited to dinners, luncheons, cocktail parties, and rallies made in connection with the nomination for election, or election, of any person to public office, in connection with the election of any person as ward or township committeeman in counties of 3,000,000 or more population, or in connection with any question of public policy;

(3) a transfer of funds between political committees; and

(4) the services of an employee donated by an employer, in which case the contribution shall be listed in the name of the employer, except that any individual services provided voluntarily and without promise or expectation of compensation from any source shall not be deemed a contribution; but

(5) does not include--

(a) the use of real or personal property and the cost of invitations, food, and beverages, voluntarily provided by an individual in rendering voluntary personal services on the individual's residential premises for candidate-related activities; provided the value of the service provided does not exceed an aggregate of $150 in a reporting period;

(b) the sale of any food or beverage by a vendor for use in a candidate's campaign at a charge less than the normal comparable charge, if such charge for use in a candidate's campaign is at least equal to the cost of such food or beverage to the vendor.

(Source: P.A. 89-405, eff. 11-8-95.)

(10 ILCS 5/9-1.14)

Sec. 9-1.14. Electioneering communication defined.

(a) "Electioneering communication" means, for the purposes of this Article, any form of communication, in whatever medium, including but not limited to a newspaper, radio, television, or Internet communication, that (1) refers to a clearly identified candidate or candidates who will appear on the ballot, refers to a clearly identified political party, or refers to a clearly identified question of public policy that will appear on the ballot and (2) is made within (i) 60 days before a general election or consolidated election or (ii) 30 days before a primary election.

(b) "Electioneering communication" does not include:

(1) A communication, other than an advertisement, appearing in a news story, commentary, or editorial distributed through the facilities of any legitimate news organization, unless the facilities are owned or controlled by any political party, political committee, or candidate.

(2) A communication made solely to promote a candidate debate or forum that is made by or on behalf of the person sponsoring the debate or forum.

(3) A communication made as part of a non-partisan activity designed to encourage individuals to vote or to register to vote.

(4) A communication by an organization operating and remaining in good standing under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

(5) A communication exclusively between a labor organization, as defined under federal or State law, and its members.

(6) A communication exclusively between an organization formed under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code and its members.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 93-615, eff. 11-19-03; 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(10 ILCS 5/9-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-3)

Sec. 9-3. Every state political committee and every local political committee shall file with the State Board of Elections, and every local political committee shall file with the county clerk, a statement of organization within 10 business days of the creation of such committee, except any political committee created within the 30 days before an election shall file a statement of organization within 5 business days. A political committee that acts as both a state political committee and a local political committee shall file a copy of each statement of organization with the State Board of Elections and the county clerk. The Board shall impose a civil penalty of $25 per business day upon political committees for failing to file or late filing of a statement of organization, except that for committees formed to support candidates for statewide office, the civil penalty shall be $50 per business day. Such penalties shall not exceed $5,000, and shall not exceed $10,000 for statewide office political committees. There shall be no fine if the statement is mailed and postmarked at least 72 hours prior to the filing deadline.

In addition to the civil penalties authorized by this Section, the State Board of Elections or any other affected political committee may apply to the circuit court for a temporary restraining order or a preliminary or permanent injunction against the political committee to cease the expenditure of funds and to cease operations until the statement of organization is filed.

For the purpose of this Section, "statewide office" means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, and State Comptroller.

The statement of organization shall include -

(a) the name and address of the political committee (the name of the political committee must include the name of any sponsoring entity);

(b) the scope, area of activity, party affiliation, candidate affiliation and his county of residence, and purposes of the political committee;

(c) the name, address, and position of each custodian of the committee's books and accounts;

(d) the name, address, and position of the committee's principal officers, including the chairman, treasurer, and officers and members of its finance committee, if any;

(e) (Blank);

(f) a statement of what specific disposition of residual fund will be made in the event of the dissolution or termination of the committee;

(g) a listing of all banks or other financial institutions, safety deposit boxes, and any other repositories or custodians of funds used by the committee;

(h) the amount of funds available for campaign expenditures as of the filing date of the committee's statement of organization.

For purposes of this Section, a "sponsoring entity" is (i) any person, political committee, organization, corporation, or association that contributes at least 33% of the total funding of the political committee or (ii) any person or other entity that is registered or is required to register under the Lobbyist Registration Act and contributes at least 33% of the total funding of the political committee; except that a political committee is not a "sponsoring entity" for purposes of this Section if it is a political committee organized by (i) an established political party as defined in Section 10-2, (ii) a partisan caucus of either house of the General Assembly, or (iii) the Speaker or Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or the President or Minority Leader of the Senate, in his or her capacity as a legislative leader of the House of Representatives or Senate and not as a candidate for Representative or Senator.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 93-615, eff. 11-19-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/9-7.5)

Sec. 9-7.5. Nonprofit organization registration and disclosure.

(a) Each nonprofit organization, except for a labor union, (i) registered under the Lobbyist Registration Act or for which lobbying is undertaken by persons registered under that Act, (ii) that has not established a political committee, and (iii) that accepts contributions, makes contributions, or makes expenditures during any 12-month period in an aggregate amount exceeding $5,000 (I) on behalf of or in opposition to public officials, candidates for public office, or a question of public policy or (II) for electioneering communications and (II) for the purpose of influencing legislative, executive, or administrative action as defined in the Lobbyist Registration Act shall register with the State Board of Elections. The Board by rule shall prescribe the registration procedure and form. The registration form shall require the following information:

(1) The registrant's name, address, and purpose.

(2) The name, address, and position of each custodian of the registrant's financial books, accounts, and records.

(3) The name, address, and position of each of the registrant's principal officers.

(b) Each nonprofit organization required to register under subsection (a) shall file contribution and expenditure reports with the Board. The Board by rule shall prescribe the form, which shall require the following information:

(1) The organization's name, address, and purpose.

(2) The amount of funds on hand at the beginning of the reporting period.

(3) The full name and address of each person who has made one or more contributions to or for the organization within the reporting period in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150, together with the amount and date of the contributions, and if a contributor is an individual who contributed more than $500, the occupation and employer of the contributor or, if the occupation and employer of the contributor are unknown, a statement that the organization has made a good faith effort to ascertain this information.

(4) The total sum of individual contributions made to or for the organization during the reporting period and not reported in item (3).

(5) The name and address of each organization and political committee from which the reporting organization received, or to which that organization made, any transfer of funds in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150, together with the amounts and dates of the transfers.

(6) The total sum of transfers made to or from the organization during the reporting period and not reported in item (5).

(7) Each loan to or from any person within the reporting period by or to the organization in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150, together with the full names and mailing addresses of the lender and endorsers, if any, and the date and amount of the loans, and if a lender or endorser is an individual who loaned or endorsed a loan of more than $500, the occupation and employer of the individual or, if the occupation and employer of the individual are unknown, a statement that the organization has made a good faith effort to ascertain this information.

(8) The total amount of proceeds received by the organization from (i) the sale of tickets for each dinner, luncheon, cocktail party, rally, and other fundraising event, (ii) mass collections made at those events, and (iii) sales of items such as buttons, badges, flags, emblems, hats, banners, literature, and similar materials.

(9) Each contribution, rebate, refund, or other receipt in excess of $150 received by the organization not otherwise listed under items (3) through (8), and if a contributor is an individual who contributed more than $500, the occupation and employer of the contributor or, if the occupation and employer of the contributor are unknown, a statement that the organization has made a good faith effort to ascertain this information.

(10) The total sum of all receipts by or for the organization during the reporting period.

(11) The full name and mailing address of each person to whom expenditures have been made by the organization within the reporting period in an aggregate amount or value in excess of $150, the amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure, and the question of public policy on behalf of which the expenditure was made.

(12) The full name and mailing address of each person to whom an expenditure for personal services, salaries, and reimbursed expenses in excess of $150 has been made and which is not otherwise reported, including the amount, date, and purpose of the expenditure.

(13) The total sum of expenditures made by the organization during the reporting period.

(14) The full name and mailing address of each person to whom the organization owes debts or obligations in excess of $150 and the amount of the debts or obligations.

The State Board by rule shall define a "good faith effort".

(c) The reports required under subsection (b) shall be filed at the same times and for the same reporting periods as reports of campaign contributions and semi-annual reports of campaign contributions and expenditures required by this Article of political committees. The reports required under subsection (b) shall be available for public inspection and copying in the same manner as reports filed by political committees. The Board may charge a fee that covers the costs of copying and distribution, if any.

(d) An organization required to file reports under subsection (b) shall include a statement on all literature and advertisements soliciting funds stating the following:

"A copy of our report filed with the State Board of Elections is (or will be) available for purchase from the State Board of Elections, Springfield, Illinois".

(Source: P.A. 90-737, eff. 1-1-99.)

(10 ILCS 5/9-9.5)

Sec. 9-9.5. Disclosures in political communications. Any political committee, organized under the Election Code, that makes an expenditure for a pamphlet, circular, handbill, Internet or telephone communication, radio, television, or print advertisement, or other communication directed at voters and mentioning the name of a candidate in the next upcoming election shall ensure that the name of the political committee paying for any part of the communication, including, but not limited to, its preparation and distribution, is identified clearly within the communication as the payor. This Section does not apply to items that are too small to contain the required disclosure. Nothing in this Section shall require disclosure on any telephone communication using random sampling or other scientific survey methods to gauge public opinion for or against any candidate or question of public policy.

Whenever any vendor or other person provides any of the services listed in this Section, other than any telephone communication using random sampling or other scientific survey methods to gauge public opinion for or against any candidate or question of public policy, the vendor or person shall keep and maintain records showing the name and address of the person who purchased or requested the services and the amount paid for the services. The records required by this Section shall be kept for a period of one year after the date upon which payment was received for the services.

(Source: P.A. 93-615, eff. 11-19-03; 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(10 ILCS 5/9-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 9-10)

Sec. 9-10. Financial reports.

(a) The treasurer of every state political committee and the treasurer of every local political committee shall file with the Board, and the treasurer of every local political committee shall file with the county clerk, reports of campaign contributions, and semi-annual reports of campaign contributions and expenditures on forms to be prescribed or approved by the Board. The treasurer of every political committee that acts as both a state political committee and a local political committee shall file a copy of each report with the State Board of Elections and the county clerk. Entities subject to Section 9-7.5 shall file reports required by that Section at times provided in this Section and are subject to the penalties provided in this Section.

(b) Reports of campaign contributions shall be filed no later than the 15th day next preceding each election including a primary election in connection with which the political committee has accepted or is accepting contributions or has made or is making expenditures. Such reports shall be complete as of the 30th day next preceding each election including a primary election. The Board shall assess a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for a violation of this subsection, except that for State officers and candidates and political committees formed for statewide office, the civil penalty may not exceed $10,000. The fine, however, shall not exceed $500 for a first filing violation for filing less than 10 days after the deadline. There shall be no fine if the report is mailed and postmarked at least 72 hours prior to the filing deadline. For the purpose of this subsection, "statewide office" and "State officer" means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer. However, a continuing political committee that does not make neither accepts contributions nor makes expenditures in excess of $500 on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate or public question on the ballot at an election shall not be required to file the reports heretofore prescribed but may file in lieu thereof a Statement of Nonparticipation in the Election with the Board or the Board and the county clerk; except that if the political committee, by the terms of its statement of organization filed in accordance with this Article, is organized to support or oppose a candidate or public question on the ballot at the next election or primary, that committee must file reports required by this subsection (b) and by subsection (b-5).

(b-5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (b) and Section 1.25 of the Statute on Statutes, any contribution of more than $500 received in the interim between the last date of the period covered by the last report filed under subsection (b) prior to the election and the date of the election shall be filed with and must actually be received by the State Board of Elections within 2 business days after receipt of such contribution. The State Board shall allow filings of reports of contributions of more than $500 under this subsection (b-5) by political committees that are not required to file electronically to be made by facsimile transmission. For the purpose of this subsection, a contribution is considered received on the date the public official, candidate, or political committee (or equivalent person in the case of a reporting entity other than a political committee) actually receives it or, in the case of goods or services, 2 business days after the date the public official, candidate, committee, or other reporting entity receives the certification required under subsection (b) of Section 9-6. Failure to report each contribution is a separate violation of this subsection. In the final disposition of any matter by the Board on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, the Board may impose fines for violations of this subsection not to exceed 100% of the total amount of the contributions that were untimely reported, but in no case when a fine is imposed shall it be less than 10% of the total amount of the contributions that were untimely reported. When considering the amount of the fine to be imposed, the Board shall consider, but is not limited to, the following factors:

(1) whether in the Board's opinion the violation was committed inadvertently, negligently, knowingly, or intentionally;

(2) the number of days the contribution was reported late; and

(3) past violations of Sections 9-3 and 9-10 of this Article by the committee.

(c) In addition to such reports the treasurer of every political committee shall file semi-annual reports of campaign contributions and expenditures no later than July 31st, covering the period from January 1st through June 30th immediately preceding, and no later than January 31st, covering the period from July 1st through December 31st of the preceding calendar year. Reports of contributions and expenditures must be filed to cover the prescribed time periods even though no contributions or expenditures may have been received or made during the period. The Board shall assess a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for a violation of this subsection, except that for State officers and candidates and political committees formed for statewide office, the civil penalty may not exceed $10,000. The fine, however, shall not exceed $500 for a first filing violation for filing less than 10 days after the deadline. There shall be no fine if the report is mailed and postmarked at least 72 hours prior to the filing deadline. For the purpose of this subsection, "statewide office" and "State officer" means the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer.

(c-5) A political committee that acts as either (i) a State and local political committee or (ii) a local political committee and that files reports electronically under Section 9-28 is not required to file copies of the reports with the appropriate county clerk if the county clerk has a system that permits access to, and duplication of, reports that are filed with the State Board of Elections. A State and local political committee or a local political committee shall file with the county clerk a copy of its statement of organization pursuant to Section 9-3.

(d) A copy of each report or statement filed under this Article shall be preserved by the person filing it for a period of two years from the date of filing.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 93-615, eff. 11-19-03; revised 12-17-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/10-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 10-9)

Sec. 10-9. The following electoral boards are designated for the purpose of hearing and passing upon the objector's petition described in Section 10-8.

1. The State Board of Elections will hear and pass upon objections to the nominations of candidates for State offices, nominations of candidates for congressional, legislative and judicial offices of districts, subcircuits, or circuits situated in more than one county, nominations of candidates for the offices of State's attorney or regional superintendent of schools to be elected from more than one county, and petitions for proposed amendments to the Constitution of the State of Illinois as provided for in Section 3 of Article XIV of the Constitution.

2. The county officers electoral board to hear and pass upon objections to the nominations of candidates for county offices, for congressional, legislative and judicial offices of a district, subcircuit, or circuit coterminous with or less than a county, for school trustees to be voted for by the electors of the county or by the electors of a township of the county, for the office of multi-township assessor where candidates for such office are nominated in accordance with this Code, and for all special district offices, shall be composed of the county clerk, or an assistant designated by the county clerk, the State's attorney of the county or an Assistant State's Attorney designated by the State's Attorney, and the clerk of the circuit court, or an assistant designated by the clerk of the circuit court, of the county, of whom the county clerk or his designee shall be the chairman, except that in any county which has established a county board of election commissioners that board shall constitute the county officers electoral board ex-officio.

3. The municipal officers electoral board to hear and pass upon objections to the nominations of candidates for officers of municipalities shall be composed of the mayor or president of the board of trustees of the city, village or incorporated town, and the city, village or incorporated town clerk, and one member of the city council or board of trustees, that member being designated who is eligible to serve on the electoral board and has served the greatest number of years as a member of the city council or board of trustees, of whom the mayor or president of the board of trustees shall be the chairman.

4. The township officers electoral board to pass upon objections to the nominations of township officers shall be composed of the township supervisor, the town clerk, and that eligible town trustee elected in the township who has had the longest term of continuous service as town trustee, of whom the township supervisor shall be the chairman.

5. The education officers electoral board to hear and pass upon objections to the nominations of candidates for offices in school or community college districts shall be composed of the presiding officer of the school or community college district board, who shall be the chairman, the secretary of the school or community college district board and the eligible elected school or community college board member who has the longest term of continuous service as a board member.

6. In all cases, however, where the Congressional or Legislative district is wholly within the jurisdiction of a board of election commissioners and in all cases where the school district or special district is wholly within the jurisdiction of a municipal board of election commissioners and in all cases where the municipality or township is wholly or partially within the jurisdiction of a municipal board of election commissioners, the board of election commissioners shall ex-officio constitute the electoral board.

For special districts situated in more than one county, the county officers electoral board of the county in which the principal office of the district is located has jurisdiction to hear and pass upon objections. For purposes of this Section, "special districts" means all political subdivisions other than counties, municipalities, townships and school and community college districts.

In the event that any member of the appropriate board is a candidate for the office with relation to which the objector's petition is filed, he shall not be eligible to serve on that board and shall not act as a member of the board and his place shall be filled as follows:

a. In the county officers electoral board by the county treasurer, and if he or she is ineligible to serve, by the sheriff of the county.

b. In the municipal officers electoral board by the eligible elected city council or board of trustees member who has served the second greatest number of years as a city council or board of trustees member.

c. In the township officers electoral board by the eligible elected town trustee who has had the second longest term of continuous service as a town trustee.

d. In the education officers electoral board by the eligible elected school or community college district board member who has had the second longest term of continuous service as a board member.

In the event that the chairman of the electoral board is ineligible to act because of the fact that he is a candidate for the office with relation to which the objector's petition is filed, then the substitute chosen under the provisions of this Section shall be the chairman; In this case, the officer or board with whom the objector's petition is filed, shall transmit the certificate of nomination or nomination papers as the case may be, and the objector's petition to the substitute chairman of the electoral board.

When 2 or more eligible individuals, by reason of their terms of service on a city council or board of trustees, township board of trustees, or school or community college district board, qualify to serve on an electoral board, the one to serve shall be chosen by lot.

Any vacancies on an electoral board not otherwise filled pursuant to this Section shall be filled by public members appointed by the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court for the county wherein the electoral board hearing is being held upon notification to the Chief Judge of such vacancies. The Chief Judge shall be so notified by a member of the electoral board or the officer or board with whom the objector's petition was filed. In the event that none of the individuals designated by this Section to serve on the electoral board are eligible, the chairman of an electoral board shall be designated by the Chief Judge.

(Source: P.A. 87-570.)

(10 ILCS 5/12-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 12-1)

Sec. 12-1. At least 60 days prior to each general and consolidated election, the election authority shall provide public notice, calculated to reach elderly and handicapped voters, of the availability of registration and voting aids under the Federal Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, of the availability of assistance in marking the ballot, and procedures for voting by absentee ballot, and procedures for voting early by personal appearance.

At least 30 days before any general election, and at least 20 days before any special congressional election, the county clerk shall publish a notice of the election in 2 or more newspapers published in the county, city, village, incorporated town or town, as the case may be, or if there is no such newspaper, then in any 2 or more newspapers published in the county and having a general circulation throughout the community. The notice may be substantially as follows:

Notice is hereby given that on (give date), at (give the place of holding the election and the name of the precinct or district) in the county of (name county), an election will be held for (give the title of the several offices to be filled), which election will be open at 6:00 a.m. and continued open until 7:00 p.m. of that day.

Dated at .... on (insert date).

(Source: P.A. 90-358, eff. 1-1-98; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(10 ILCS 5/Art. 12A heading new)

ARTICLE 12A. VOTERS' GUIDES

(10 ILCS 5/12A-2 new)

Sec. 12A-2. Definitions. As used in this Article, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Board" means the State Board of Elections.

"Internet Guide" refers to information disseminated by the State Board of Elections on a website, pursuant to Section 12A-5.

"Local election authority" means a county clerk or board of election commissioners.

"Public question" or "question" means any question, proposition, or referendum submitted to the voters under Article 28 of this Code.

"Statewide candidate" means any candidate who runs for a statewide office, including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, United States President, or United States Senator.

"Voters' guide" means any information disseminated by the State Board of Elections pursuant to Section 12A-5.

(10 ILCS 5/12A-5 new)

Sec. 12A-5. Internet Guide. The Board shall publish, no later than the 45th day before a general election in which a statewide candidate appears on the ballot, an Internet website with the following information:

(1) The date and time of the general election.

(2) Requirements for a citizen to qualify as an elector.

(3) The deadline for registering as an elector in the State of Illinois for the next election.

(4) Contact information for local election authorities.

(5) A description of the following offices, when they appear on the ballot, including their term of office, basic duties, and base salary: United States President, United States Senator, United States Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Illinois Supreme Court Judge, and Illinois Appellate Court Judge. The Board shall not include information on any office other than the offices listed in this item (5).

(6) The names and party affiliations of qualified candidates for the following offices, when these offices appear on the ballot: United States President, United States Senator, United States Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Comptroller, Illinois Supreme Court Judge, and Illinois Appellate Court Judge. The Board shall not include information on candidates for any office other than the offices listed in this item (6).

(7) Challenged candidates. Where a candidate's right to appear on the general election ballot has been challenged, and any appeal remains pending regarding those challenges, the challenged candidate may appear on the Internet Guide, subject to the other provisions of Section 12A-10. In this instance, the Board may note that the candidate's candidacy has been challenged and that he or she may be removed from the ballot prior to election day. If the candidate is removed from the ballot prior to election day, the Board shall remove the candidate's name and other information from the Internet Guide.

(8) Any personal statement and photograph submitted by a candidate named in the Internet Guide, subject to Sections 12A-10 and 12A-35.

(9) A means by which an elector may determine what type of balloting equipment is used by his or her local election authority, and the instructions for properly using that equipment.

(10) The text of any public question that may appear on the ballot.

(11) A mechanism by which electors may determine in which congressional and judicial districts they reside. The Internet Guide shall allow visitors to search for candidates by office (e.g., Governor or United States Senator) and candidate's name.

(12) Information concerning how to become an election judge.

The Board shall archive the contents of the Internet Guide for a period of at least 5 years.

In addition, the Board has the discretion to publish a voters' guide before a general primary election in the manner provided in this Article.

(10 ILCS 5/12A-10 new)

Sec. 12A-10. Candidate statements and photographs in the Internet Guide.

(a) Any candidate whose name appears in the Internet Guide may submit a written statement and a photograph to appear in the Internet Guide, provided that:

(1) No personal statement may exceed a brief biography (name, age, education, and current employment) and an additional 400 words.

(2) Personal statements may include contact information for the candidate, including the address and phone number of the campaign headquarters, and the candidate's website.

(3) Personal statements may not mention a candidate's opponents by name.

(4) No personal statement may include language that may not be legally sent through the mail.

(5) The photograph shall be a conventional photograph with a plain background and show only the face, or the head, neck, and shoulders, of the candidate.

(6) The photograph shall not (i) show the candidate's hands, anything in the candidate's hands, or the candidate wearing a judicial robe, a hat, or a military, police, or fraternal uniform or (ii) include the uniform or insignia of any organization.

(b) The Board must note in the text of the Internet Guide that personal statements were submitted by the candidate or his or her designee and were not edited by the Board.

(c) Where a candidate declines to submit a statement, the Board may note that the candidate declined to submit a statement.

(d) The candidate must pay $600 for inclusion of his or her personal statement and photograph, and the Board shall not include photographs or statements from candidates who do not pay the fee. The Board may adopt rules for refunding that fee at the candidate's request, provided that the Board may not include a statement or photograph from a candidate who has requested a refund of a fee. Fees collected pursuant to this subsection shall be deposited into the Voters' Guide Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Moneys in the Voters' Guide Fund shall be appropriated solely to the State Board of Elections for use in the implementation and administration of this Article 12A.

(e) Anyone other than the candidate submitting a statement or photograph from a candidate must attest that he or she is doing so on behalf and at the direction of the candidate. The Board may assess a civil fine of no more than $1,000 against a person or entity who falsely submits a statement or photograph not authorized by the candidate.

(f) Nothing in this Article makes the author of any statement exempt from any civil or criminal action because of any defamatory statements offered for posting or contained in the Internet Guide. The persons writing, signing, or offering a statement for inclusion in the Internet Guide are deemed to be its authors and publishers, and the Board shall not be liable in any case or action relating to the content of any material submitted by any candidate.

(g) The Board may set reasonable deadlines for the submission of personal statements and photographs, provided that a deadline may not be less than 5 business days after the last day for filing new party petitions.

(h) The Board may set formats for the submission of statements and photographs. The Board may require that statements and photographs are submitted in an electronic format.

(i) Fees and fines collected pursuant to subsections (d) and (e), respectively, of this Section shall be deposited into the Voters' Guide Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Moneys in the Voters' Guide Fund shall be appropriated solely to the State Board of Elections for use in the implementation and administration of this Article 12A.

(10 ILCS 5/12A-15 new)

Sec. 12A-15. Language. The Board may translate all of the material it is required to provide for the Internet Guide into other languages as it deems necessary to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act or at its discretion. Visitors to the site shall have the option of viewing the Guide in all languages into which the Guide has been translated. Candidates may, at their option and expense, submit statements in languages other than English. The Board shall not be responsible for translating candidate statements.

(10 ILCS 5/12A-35 new)

Sec. 12A-35. Board's review of candidate photograph and statement; procedure for revision.

(a) If a candidate files a photograph and statement under item (8) of Section 12A-5 in a voters' guide, the Board shall review the photograph and statement to ensure that they comply with the requirements of Section 12A-10. Review by the Board under this Section shall be limited to determining whether the photograph and statement comply with the requirements of Section 12A-10 and may not include any determination relating to the accuracy or truthfulness of the substance or contents of the materials filed.

(b) The Board shall review each photograph and statement not later than 3 business days following the deadline for filing a photograph and statement. If the Board determines that the photograph or statement of a candidate must be revised in order to comply with the requirements of Section 12A-10, the Board shall attempt to contact the candidate not later than the 5th day after the deadline for filing a photograph and statement. A candidate contacted by the Board under this Section may file a revised photograph or statement no later than the 7th business day following the deadline for filing a photograph and statement.

(c) If the Board is required to attempt to contact a candidate under subsection (b) of this Section, the Board shall attempt to contact the candidate by telephone or by using an electronic transmission facsimile machine, if such contact information is provided by the candidate.

(d) If the Board is unable to contact a candidate, if the candidate does not file a revised photograph or statement, or if the revised filing under subsection (b) again fails to meet the standards of review set by the Board:

(1) If a photograph does not comply with Section 12A-10, the Board may modify the photograph. The candidate shall pay the expense of any modification before publication of the photograph in the voters' guide. If the photograph cannot be modified to comply with Section 12A-10, the photograph shall not be printed in the guide.

(2) If a statement does not comply with Section 12A-10, the statement shall not be published in the voters' guide.

(e) If the photograph or statement of a candidate filed under item (8) of Section 12A-5 does not comply with a requirement of Section 12A-10 and the Board does not attempt to contact the candidate by the deadline specified in subsection (b) of this Section, then, for purposes of this Section only, the photograph or statement shall be published as filed.

(f) A candidate revising a photograph or statement under this Section shall make only those revisions necessary to comply with Section 12A-10.

(g) The Board may by rule define the term "contact" as used in this Section.

(10 ILCS 5/12A-40 new)

Sec. 12A-40. Exemption from public records laws. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, materials filed by a candidate, political party, political committee, or other person for inclusion in a voters' guide are exempt from public inspection until the 4th business day after the final date for filing the materials.

(10 ILCS 5/12A-45 new)

Sec. 12A-45. Material submitted for inclusion in any voters' guide may not be admitted as evidence in any suit or action against the Board to restrain or enjoin the publication of a voters' guide.

(10 ILCS 5/12A-50 new)

Sec. 12A-50. Order of appearance within the guides. For all guides disseminated by the Board, all information about offices and candidates on the ballot shall be listed together in the same part of the guide or insert. All candidates for one office, together with their statements and photographs if any, shall be listed before information on other offices and candidates is listed. To the extent possible, offices and candidates shall be listed in the same order in which they appear on the ballot.

(10 ILCS 5/12A-55 new)

Sec. 12A-55. Constitutional issues. If a constitutional amendment appears on the ballot, the contents of the pamphlet issued by the Secretary of State under Section 2 of the Illinois Constitutional Amendment Act may be included in any guide issued by the Board.

(10 ILCS 5/13-2.5 new)

Sec. 13-2.5. Time off from work to serve as election judge. Any person who is appointed as an election judge under Section 13-1 or 13-2 may, after giving his or her employer at least 20 days' written notice, be absent from his or her place of work for the purpose of serving as an election judge. An employer may not penalize an employee for that absence other than a deduction in salary for the time the employee was absent from his or her place of employment.

This Section does not apply to an employer with fewer than 25 employees. An employer with more than 25 employees shall not be required to permit more than 10% of the employees to be absent under this Section on the same election day.

(10 ILCS 5/14-4.5 new)

Sec. 14-4.5. Time off from work to serve as election judge. Any person who is appointed as an election judge under Section 13-1 or 13-2 may, after giving his or her employer at least 20 days' written notice, be absent from his or her place of work for the purpose of serving as an election judge. An employer may not penalize an employee for that absence other than a deduction in salary for the time the employee was absent from his or her place of employment.

This Section does not apply to an employer with fewer than 25 employees. An employer with more than 25 employees shall not be required to permit more than 10% of the employees to be absent under this Section on the same election day.

(10 ILCS 5/17-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 17-9)

Sec. 17-9. Any person desiring to vote shall give his name and, if required to do so, his residence to the judges of election, one of whom shall thereupon announce the same in a loud and distinct tone of voice, clear, and audible; the judges of elections shall check each application for ballot against the list of voters registered in that precinct to whom absentee or early ballots have been issued for that election, which shall be provided by the election authority and which list shall be available for inspection by pollwatchers. A voter applying to vote in the precinct on election day whose name appears on the list as having been issued an absentee or early ballot shall not be permitted to vote in the precinct unless that voter submits to the judges of election, for cancellation or revocation, his absentee ballot. In the case that the voter's absentee ballot is not present in the polling place, it shall be sufficient for any such voter to submit to the judges of election in lieu of his absentee ballot, either a portion of such ballot if torn or mutilated, an affidavit executed before the judges of election specifying that the voter never received an absentee ballot, or an affidavit executed before the judges of election specifying that the voter desires to cancel or revoke any absentee ballot that may have been cast in the voter's name. All applicable provisions of Articles 4, 5 or 6 shall be complied with and if such name is found on the register of voters by the officer having charge thereof, he shall likewise repeat said name, and the voter shall be allowed to enter within the proximity of the voting booths, as above provided. One of the judges shall give the voter one, and only one of each ballot to be voted at the election, on the back of which ballots such judge shall indorse his initials in such manner that they may be seen when each such ballot is properly folded, and the voter's name shall be immediately checked on the register list. In those election jurisdictions where perforated ballot cards are utilized of the type on which write-in votes can be cast above the perforation, the election authority shall provide a space both above and below the perforation for the judge's initials, and the judge shall endorse his or her initials in both spaces. Whenever a proposal for a constitutional amendment or for the calling of a constitutional convention is to be voted upon at the election, the separate blue ballot or ballots pertaining thereto shall, when being handed to the voter, be placed on top of the other ballots to be voted at the election in such manner that the legend appearing on the back thereof, as prescribed in Section 16-6 of this Act, shall be plainly visible to the voter. At all elections, when a registry may be required, if the name of any person so desiring to vote at such election is not found on the register of voters, he or she shall not receive a ballot until he or she shall have complied with the law prescribing the manner and conditions of voting by unregistered voters. If any person desiring to vote at any election shall be challenged, he or she shall not receive a ballot until he or she shall have established his right to vote in the manner provided hereinafter; and if he or she shall be challenged after he has received his ballot, he shall not be permitted to vote until he or she has fully complied with such requirements of the law upon being challenged. Besides the election officer, not more than 2 voters in excess of the whole number of voting booths provided shall be allowed within the proximity of the voting booths at one time. The provisions of this Act, so far as they require the registration of voters as a condition to their being allowed to vote shall not apply to persons otherwise entitled to vote, who are, at the time of the election, or at any time within 60 days prior to such election have been engaged in the military or naval service of the United States, and who appear personally at the polling place on election day and produce to the judges of election satisfactory evidence thereof, but such persons, if otherwise qualified to vote, shall be permitted to vote at such election without previous registration.

All such persons shall also make an affidavit which shall be in substantially the following form:

State of Illinois,) ) ss. County of ........) ............... Precinct .......... Ward

I, ...., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am a citizen of the United States, of the age of 18 years or over, and that within the past 60 days prior to the date of this election at which I am applying to vote, I have been engaged in the .... (military or naval) service of the United States; and I am qualified to vote under and by virtue of the Constitution and laws of the State of Illinois, and that I am a legally qualified voter of this precinct and ward except that I have, because of such service, been unable to register as a voter; that I now reside at .... (insert street and number, if any) in this precinct and ward; that I have maintained a legal residence in this precinct and ward for 30 days and in this State 30 days next preceding this election.

.........................

Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).

.........................

Judge of Election.

The affidavit of any such person shall be supported by the affidavit of a resident and qualified voter of any such precinct and ward, which affidavit shall be in substantially the following form:

State of Illinois,) ) ss. County of ........) ........... Precinct ........... Ward

I, ...., do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I am a resident of this precinct and ward and entitled to vote at this election; that I am acquainted with .... (name of the applicant); that I verily believe him to be an actual bona fide resident of this precinct and ward and that I verily believe that he or she has maintained a legal residence therein 30 days and in this State 30 days next preceding this election.

.........................

Subscribed and sworn to before me on (insert date).

.........................

Judge of Election.

All affidavits made under the provisions of this Section shall be enclosed in a separate envelope securely sealed, and shall be transmitted with the returns of the elections to the county clerk or to the board of election commissioners, who shall preserve the said affidavits for the period of 6 months, during which period such affidavits shall be deemed public records and shall be freely open to examination as such.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(10 ILCS 5/17-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 17-15)

Sec. 17-15. Any person entitled to vote at a general or special election or at any election at which propositions are submitted to a popular vote in this State, shall, on the day of such election, be entitled to absent himself from any services or employment in which he is then engaged or employed, for a period of 2 hours between the time of opening and closing the polls; and such voter shall not because of so absenting himself be liable to any penalty; Provided, however, that application for such leave of absence shall be made prior to the day of election. The employer may specify the hours during which said employee may absent himself as aforesaid, except that the employer must permit a 2-hour absence during working hours if the employee's working hours begin less than 2 hours after the opening of the polls and end less than 2 hours before the closing of the polls. No person or corporation shall refuse to an employee the privilege hereby conferred, nor shall subject an employee to a penalty, including a reduction in compensation due to an absence under this Section, because of the exercise of such privilege, nor shall directly or indirectly violate the provisions of this section.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 2532.)

(10 ILCS 5/17-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 17-23)

Sec. 17-23. Pollwatchers in a general election shall be authorized in the following manner:

(1) Each established political party shall be entitled to appoint two pollwatchers per precinct. Such pollwatchers must be affiliated with the political party for which they are pollwatching. For all elections, the pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(2) Each candidate shall be entitled to appoint two pollwatchers per precinct. For all elections, the pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(3) Each organization of citizens within the county or political subdivision, which has among its purposes or interests the investigation or prosecution of election frauds, and which shall have registered its name and address and the name and addresses of its principal officers with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the election, shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. For all elections, the pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(4) In any general election held to elect candidates for the offices of a municipality of less than 3,000,000 population that is situated in 2 or more counties, a pollwatcher who is a resident of Illinois shall be eligible to serve as a pollwatcher in any poll located within such municipality, provided that such pollwatcher otherwise complies with the respective requirements of subsections (1) through (3) of this Section and is a registered voter in Illinois.

(5) Each organized group of proponents or opponents of a ballot proposition, which shall have registered the name and address of its organization or committee and the name and address of its chairman with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the election, shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. The pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Illinois.

All pollwatchers shall be required to have proper credentials. Such credentials shall be printed in sufficient quantities, shall be issued by and under the facsimile signature(s) of the election authority and shall be available for distribution at least 2 weeks prior to the election. Such credentials shall be authorized by the real or facsimile signature of the State or local party official or the candidate or the presiding officer of the civic organization or the chairman of the proponent or opponent group, as the case may be.

Pollwatcher credentials shall be in substantially the following form:

POLLWATCHER CREDENTIALS

TO THE JUDGES OF ELECTION:

In accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, the undersigned hereby appoints .......... (name of pollwatcher) who resides at ........... (address) in the county of ..........., .......... (township or municipality) of ........... (name), State of Illinois and who is duly registered to vote from this address, to act as a pollwatcher in the ........... precinct of the ........... ward (if applicable) of the ........... (township or municipality) of ........... at the ........... election to be held on (insert date).

........................ (Signature of Appointing Authority)

......................... TITLE (party official, candidate, civic organization president, proponent or opponent group chairman)

Under penalties provided by law pursuant to Section 29-10 of the Election Code, the undersigned pollwatcher certifies that he or she resides at ................ (address) in the county of ............, ......... (township or municipality) of ........... (name), State of Illinois, and is duly registered to vote in Illinois.

.......................... .......................

(Precinct and/or Ward in (Signature of Pollwatcher)

Which Pollwatcher Resides)

Pollwatchers must present their credentials to the Judges of Election upon entering the polling place. Pollwatcher credentials properly executed and signed shall be proof of the qualifications of the pollwatcher authorized thereby. Such credentials are retained by the Judges and returned to the Election Authority at the end of the day of election with the other election materials. Once a pollwatcher has surrendered a valid credential, he may leave and reenter the polling place provided that such continuing action does not disrupt the conduct of the election. Pollwatchers may be substituted during the course of the day, but established political parties, candidates and qualified civic organizations can have only as many pollwatchers at any given time as are authorized in this Article. A substitute must present his signed credential to the judges of election upon entering the polling place. Election authorities must provide a sufficient number of credentials to allow for substitution of pollwatchers. After the polls have closed pollwatchers shall be allowed to remain until the canvass of votes is completed; but may leave and reenter only in cases of necessity, provided that such action is not so continuous as to disrupt the canvass of votes.

Candidates seeking office in a district or municipality encompassing 2 or more counties shall be admitted to any and all polling places throughout such district or municipality without regard to the counties in which such candidates are registered to vote. Actions of such candidates shall be governed in each polling place by the same privileges and limitations that apply to pollwatchers as provided in this Section. Any such candidate who engages in an activity in a polling place which could reasonably be construed by a majority of the judges of election as campaign activity shall be removed forthwith from such polling place.

Candidates seeking office in a district or municipality encompassing 2 or more counties who desire to be admitted to polling places on election day in such district or municipality shall be required to have proper credentials. Such credentials shall be printed in sufficient quantities, shall be issued by and under the facsimile signature of the election authority of the election jurisdiction where the polling place in which the candidate seeks admittance is located, and shall be available for distribution at least 2 weeks prior to the election. Such credentials shall be signed by the candidate.

Candidate credentials shall be in substantially the following form:

CANDIDATE CREDENTIALS

TO THE JUDGES OF ELECTION:

In accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, I ...... (name of candidate) hereby certify that I am a candidate for ....... (name of office) and seek admittance to ....... precinct of the ....... ward (if applicable) of the ....... (township or municipality) of ....... at the ....... election to be held on (insert date).

......................... .......................

(Signature of Candidate) OFFICE FOR WHICH CANDIDATE SEEKS NOMINATION OR ELECTION

Pollwatchers shall be permitted to observe all proceedings and view all reasonably requested records relating to the conduct of the election, provided the secrecy of the ballot is not impinged, and to station themselves in a position in the voting room as will enable them to observe the judges making the signature comparison between the voter application and the voter registration record card; provided, however, that such pollwatchers shall not be permitted to station themselves in such close proximity to the judges of election so as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election and shall not, in any event, be permitted to handle election materials. Pollwatchers may challenge for cause the voting qualifications of a person offering to vote and may call to the attention of the judges of election any incorrect procedure or apparent violations of this Code.

If a majority of the judges of election determine that the polling place has become too overcrowded with pollwatchers so as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election, the judges shall, by lot, limit such pollwatchers to a reasonable number, except that each established or new political party shall be permitted to have at least one pollwatcher present.

Representatives of an election authority, with regard to an election under its jurisdiction, the State Board of Elections, and law enforcement agencies, including but not limited to a United States Attorney, a State's attorney, the Attorney General, and a State, county, or local police department, in the performance of their official election duties, shall be permitted at all times to enter and remain in the polling place. Upon entering the polling place, such representatives shall display their official credentials or other identification to the judges of election.

Uniformed police officers assigned to polling place duty shall follow all lawful instructions of the judges of election.

The provisions of this Section shall also apply to supervised casting of absentee ballots as provided in Section 19-12.2 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/17-100 new)

Sec. 17-100. Definition of a vote.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the purpose of this Article, a person casts a valid vote on a punch card ballot when:

(1) A chad on the card has at least one corner detached from the card;

(2) The fibers of paper on at least one edge of the chad are broken in a way that permits unimpeded light to be seen through the card; or

(3) An indentation on the chad from the stylus or other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote based on the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to any pattern or frequency of indentations on other ballot positions from the same ballot card.

(b) Write-in votes shall be counted in a manner consistent with the existing provisions of this Code.

(c) For purposes of this Section, a "chad" is that portion of a ballot card that a voter punches or perforates with a stylus or other designated marking device to manifest his or her vote for a particular ballot position on a ballot card as defined in subsection (a).

(d) Prior to the original counting of any punch card ballots, an election judge may not alter a punch card ballot in any manner, including, but not limited to, the removal or manipulation of chads.

(10 ILCS 5/18-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 18-5)

Sec. 18-5. Any person desiring to vote and whose name is found upon the register of voters by the person having charge thereof, shall then be questioned by one of the judges as to his nativity, his term of residence at present address, precinct, State and United States, his age, whether naturalized and if so the date of naturalization papers and court from which secured, and he shall be asked to state his residence when last previously registered and the date of the election for which he then registered. The judges of elections shall check each application for ballot against the list of voters registered in that precinct to whom absentee and early ballots have been issued for that election, which shall be provided by the election authority and which list shall be available for inspection by pollwatchers. A voter applying to vote in the precinct on election day whose name appears on the list as having been issued an absentee or early ballot shall not be permitted to vote in the precinct unless that voter submits to the judges of election, for cancellation or revocation, his absentee ballot. In the case that the voter's absentee ballot is not present in the polling place, it shall be sufficient for any such voter to submit to the judges of election in lieu of his absentee ballot, either a portion of such ballot if torn or mutilated, an affidavit executed before the judges of election specifying that the voter never received an absentee ballot, or an affidavit executed before the judges of election specifying that the voter desires to cancel or revoke any absentee ballot that may have been cast in the voter's name. If such person so registered shall be challenged as disqualified, the party challenging shall assign his reasons therefor, and thereupon one of the judges shall administer to him an oath to answer questions, and if he shall take the oath he shall then be questioned by the judge or judges touching such cause of challenge, and touching any other cause of disqualification. And he may also be questioned by the person challenging him in regard to his qualifications and identity. But if a majority of the judges are of the opinion that he is the person so registered and a qualified voter, his vote shall then be received accordingly. But if his vote be rejected by such judges, such person may afterward produce and deliver an affidavit to such judges, subscribed and sworn to by him before one of the judges, in which it shall be stated how long he has resided in such precinct, and state; that he is a citizen of the United States, and is a duly qualified voter in such precinct, and that he is the identical person so registered. In addition to such an affidavit, the person so challenged shall provide to the judges of election proof of residence by producing 2 forms of identification showing the person's current residence address, provided that such identification to the person at his current residence address and postmarked not earlier than 30 days prior to the date of the election, or the person shall procure a witness personally known to the judges of election, and resident in the precinct (or district), or who shall be proved by some legal voter of such precinct or district, known to the judges to be such, who shall take the oath following, viz:

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am a resident of this election precinct (or district), and entitled to vote at this election, and that I have been a resident of this State for 30 days last past, and am well acquainted with the person whose vote is now offered; that he is an actual and bona fide resident of this election precinct (or district), and has resided herein 30 days, and as I verily believe, in this State, 30 days next preceding this election.

The oath in each case may be administered by one of the judges of election, or by any officer, resident in the precinct or district, authorized by law to administer oaths. Also supported by an affidavit by a registered voter residing in such precinct, stating his own residence, and that he knows such person; and that he does reside at the place mentioned and has resided in such precinct and state for the length of time as stated by such person, which shall be subscribed and sworn to in the same way. Whereupon the vote of such person shall be received, and entered as other votes. But such judges, having charge of such registers, shall state in their respective books the facts in such case, and the affidavits, so delivered to the judges, shall be preserved and returned to the office of the commissioners of election. Blank affidavits of the character aforesaid shall be sent out to the judges of all the precincts, and the judges of election shall furnish the same on demand and administer the oaths without criticism. Such oaths, if administered by any other officer than such judge of election, shall not be received. Whenever a proposal for a constitutional amendment or for the calling of a constitutional convention is to be voted upon at the election, the separate blue ballot or ballots pertaining thereto shall be placed on top of the other ballots to be voted at the election in such manner that the legend appearing on the back thereof, as prescribed in Section 16-6 of this Act, shall be plainly visible to the voter, and in this fashion the ballots shall be handed to the voter by the judge.

The voter shall, upon quitting the voting booth, deliver to one of the judges of election all of the ballots, properly folded, which he received. The judge of election to whom the voter delivers his ballots shall not accept the same unless all of the ballots given to the voter are returned by him. If a voter delivers less than all of the ballots given to him, the judge to whom the same are offered shall advise him in a voice clearly audible to the other judges of election that the voter must return the remainder of the ballots. The statement of the judge to the voter shall clearly express the fact that the voter is not required to vote such remaining ballots but that whether or not he votes them he must fold and deliver them to the judge. In making such statement the judge of election shall not indicate by word, gesture or intonation of voice that the unreturned ballots shall be voted in any particular manner. No new voter shall be permitted to enter the voting booth of a voter who has failed to deliver the total number of ballots received by him until such voter has returned to the voting booth pursuant to the judge's request and again quit the booth with all of the ballots required to be returned by him. Upon receipt of all such ballots the judges of election shall enter the name of the voter, and his number, as above provided in this section, and the judge to whom the ballots are delivered shall immediately put the ballots into the ballot box. If any voter who has failed to deliver all the ballots received by him refuses to return to the voting booth after being advised by the judge of election as herein provided, the judge shall inform the other judges of such refusal, and thereupon the ballot or ballots returned to the judge shall be deposited in the ballot box, the voter shall be permitted to depart from the polling place, and a new voter shall be permitted to enter the voting booth.

The judge of election who receives the ballot or ballots from the voter shall announce the residence and name of such voter in a loud voice. The judge shall put the ballot or ballots received from the voter into the ballot box in the presence of the voter and the judges of election, and in plain view of the public. The judges having charge of such registers shall then, in a column prepared thereon, in the same line of, the name of the voter, mark "Voted" or the letter "V".

No judge of election shall accept from any voter less than the full number of ballots received by such voter without first advising the voter in the manner above provided of the necessity of returning all of the ballots, nor shall any such judge advise such voter in a manner contrary to that which is herein permitted, or in any other manner violate the provisions of this section; provided, that the acceptance by a judge of election of less than the full number of ballots delivered to a voter who refuses to return to the voting booth after being properly advised by such judge shall not be a violation of this Section.

(Source: P.A. 89-653, eff. 8-14-96.)

(10 ILCS 5/18-100 new)

Sec. 18-100. Definition of a vote.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the purpose of this Article, a person casts a valid vote on a punch card ballot when:

(1) A chad on the card has at least one corner detached from the card;

(2) The fibers of paper on at least one edge of the chad are broken in a way that permits unimpeded light to be seen through the card; or

(3) An indentation on the chad from the stylus or other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote based on the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to any pattern or frequency of indentations on other ballot positions from the same ballot card.

(b) Write-in votes shall be counted in a manner consistent with the existing provisions of this Code.

(c) For purposes of this Section, a "chad" is that portion of a ballot card that a voter punches or perforates with a stylus or other designated marking device to manifest his or her vote for a particular ballot position on a ballot card as defined in subsection (a).

(d) Prior to the original counting of any punch card ballots, an election judge may not alter a punch card ballot in any manner, including, but not limited to, the removal or manipulation of chads.

(10 ILCS 5/18A-5)

(Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 93-1071)

Sec. 18A-5. Provisional voting; general provisions.

(a) A person who claims to be a registered voter is entitled to cast a provisional ballot under the following circumstances:

(1) The person's name does not appear on the official list of eligible voters, whether a list of active or inactive voters, for the precinct in which the person seeks to vote. The official list is the centralized statewide voter registration list established and maintained in accordance with Section 1A-25;

(2) The person's voting status has been challenged by an election judge, a pollwatcher, or any legal voter and that challenge has been sustained by a majority of the election judges; or

(3) A federal or State court order extends the time for closing the polls beyond the time period established by State law and the person votes during the extended time period; or .

(4) The voter registered to vote by mail and is required by law to present identification when voting either in person or by absentee ballot, but fails to do so.

(b) The procedure for obtaining and casting a provisional ballot at the polling place shall be as follows:

(1) After first verifying through an examination of the precinct register that the person's address is within the precinct boundaries, an An election judge at the polling place shall notify a person who is entitled to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to subsection (a) that he or she may cast a provisional ballot in that election. An election judge must accept any information provided by a person who casts a provisional ballot that the person believes supports his or her claim that he or she is a duly registered voter and qualified to vote in the election. However, if the person's residence address is outside the precinct boundaries, the election judge shall inform the person of that fact, give the person the appropriate telephone number of the election authority in order to locate the polling place assigned to serve that address, and instruct the person to go to the proper polling place to vote.

(2) The person shall execute a written form provided by the election judge that shall state or contain all of the following that is available:

(i) an affidavit stating the following:

State of Illinois, County of ................, Township ............., Precinct ........, Ward ........, I, ......................., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that: I am a citizen of the United States; I am 18 years of age or older; I have resided in this State and in this precinct for 30 days preceding this election; I have not voted in this election; I am a duly registered voter in every respect; and I am eligible to vote in this election. Signature ...... Printed Name of Voter ....... Printed Residence Address of Voter ...... City ...... State .... Zip Code ..... Telephone Number ...... Date of Birth ....... and Illinois Driver's License Number ....... or Last 4 digits of Social Security Number ...... or State Identification Card Number issued to you by the Illinois Secretary of State........

(ii) Written instruction stating the following:

In order to expedite the verification of your voter registration status, the .... (insert name of county clerk of board of election commissioners here) requests that you include your phone number and both the last four digits of your social security number and your driver's license number or State Identification Card Number issued to you by the Secretary of State. At minimum, you are required to include either (A) your driver's license number or State Identification Card Number issued to you by the Secretary of State or (B) the last 4 digits of your social security number.

(ii) (iii) A box for the election judge to check one of the 4 3 reasons why the person was given a provisional ballot under subsection (a) of Section 18A-5.

(iii) (iv) An area for the election judge to affix his or her signature and to set forth any facts that support or oppose the allegation that the person is not qualified to vote in the precinct in which the person is seeking to vote.

The written affidavit form described in this subsection (b)(2) must be printed on a multi-part form prescribed by the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be.

(3) After the person executes the portion of the written affidavit described in subsection (b)(2)(i) of this Section, the election judge shall complete the portion of the written affidavit described in subsection (b)(2)(iii) and (b)(2)(iv).

(4) The election judge shall give a copy of the completed written affidavit to the person. The election judge shall place the original written affidavit in a self-adhesive clear plastic packing list envelope that must be attached to a separate envelope marked as a "provisional ballot envelope". The election judge shall also place any information provided by the person who casts a provisional ballot in the clear plastic packing list envelope. Each county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must design, obtain or procure self-adhesive clear plastic packing list envelopes and provisional ballot envelopes that are suitable for implementing this subsection (b)(4) of this Section.

(5) The election judge shall provide the person with a provisional ballot, written instructions for casting a provisional ballot, and the provisional ballot envelope with the clear plastic packing list envelope affixed to it, which contains the person's original written affidavit and, if any, information provided by the provisional voter to support his or her claim that he or she is a duly registered voter. An election judge must also give the person written information that states that any person who casts a provisional ballot shall be able to ascertain, pursuant to guidelines established by the State Board of Elections, whether the provisional vote was counted in the official canvass of votes for that election and, if the provisional vote was not counted, the reason that the vote was not counted.

(6) After the person has completed marking his or her provisional ballot, he or she shall place the marked ballot inside of the provisional ballot envelope, close and seal the envelope, and return the envelope to an election judge, who shall then deposit the sealed provisional ballot envelope into a securable container separately identified and utilized for containing sealed provisional ballot envelopes. Ballots that are provisional because they are cast after 7:00 p.m. by court order shall be kept separate from other provisional ballots. Upon the closing of the polls, the securable container shall be sealed with filament tape provided for that purpose, which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, and each of the election judges shall sign the seal.

(c) Instead of the affidavit form described in subsection (b), the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, may design and use a multi-part affidavit form that is imprinted upon or attached to the provisional ballot envelope described in subsection (b). If a county clerk or board of election commissioners elects to design and use its own multi-part affidavit form, then the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall establish a mechanism for accepting any information the provisional voter has supplied to the election judge to support his or her claim that he or she is a duly registered voter. In all other respects, a county clerk or board of election commissioners shall establish procedures consistent with subsection (b).

(d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, shall use the completed affidavit form described in subsection (b) to update the person's voter registration information in the State voter registration database and voter registration database of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be. If a person is later determined not to be a registered voter based on Section 18A-15 of this Code, then the affidavit shall be processed by the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, as a voter registration application.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 93-1071)

Sec. 18A-5. Provisional voting; general provisions.

(a) A person who claims to be a registered voter is entitled to cast a provisional ballot under the following circumstances:

(1) The person's name does not appear on the official list of eligible voters for the precinct in which the person seeks to vote. The official list is the centralized statewide voter registration list established and maintained in accordance with Section 1A-25;

(2) The person's voting status has been challenged by an election judge, a pollwatcher, or any legal voter and that challenge has been sustained by a majority of the election judges; or

(3) A federal or State court order extends the time for closing the polls beyond the time period established by State law and the person votes during the extended time period; or .

(4) The voter registered to vote by mail and is required by law to present identification when voting either in person or by absentee ballot, but fails to do so.

(b) The procedure for obtaining and casting a provisional ballot at the polling place shall be as follows:

(1) After first verifying through an examination of the precinct register that the person's address is within the precinct boundaries, an An election judge at the polling place shall notify a person who is entitled to cast a provisional ballot pursuant to subsection (a) that he or she may cast a provisional ballot in that election. An election judge must accept any information provided by a person who casts a provisional ballot that the person believes supports his or her claim that he or she is a duly registered voter and qualified to vote in the election. However, if the person's residence address is outside the precinct boundaries, the election judge shall inform the person of that fact, give the person the appropriate telephone number of the election authority in order to locate the polling place assigned to serve that address, and instruct the person to go to the proper polling place to vote.

(2) The person shall execute a written form provided by the election judge that shall state or contain all of the following that is available:

(i) an affidavit stating the following:

State of Illinois, County of ................, Township ............., Precinct ........, Ward ........, I, ......................., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that: I am a citizen of the United States; I am 18 years of age or older; I have resided in this State and in this precinct for 30 days preceding this election; I have not voted in this election; I am a duly registered voter in every respect; and I am eligible to vote in this election. Signature ...... Printed Name of Voter ....... Printed Residence Address of Voter ...... City ...... State .... Zip Code ..... Telephone Number ...... Date of Birth ....... and Illinois Driver's License Number ....... or Last 4 digits of Social Security Number ...... or State Identification Card Number issued to you by the Illinois Secretary of State........

(ii) Written instruction stating the following:

In order to expedite the verification of your voter registration status, the .... (insert name of county clerk of board of election commissioners here) requests that you include your phone number and both the last four digits of your social security number and your driver's license number or State Identification Card Number issued to you by the Secretary of State. At minimum, you are required to include either (A) your driver's license number or State Identification Card Number issued to you by the Secretary of State or (B) the last 4 digits of your social security number.

(ii) (iii) A box for the election judge to check one of the 3 reasons why the person was given a provisional ballot under subsection (a) of Section 18A-5.

(iii) (iv) An area for the election judge to affix his or her signature and to set forth any facts that support or oppose the allegation that the person is not qualified to vote in the precinct in which the person is seeking to vote.

The written affidavit form described in this subsection (b)(2) must be printed on a multi-part form prescribed by the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be.

(3) After the person executes the portion of the written affidavit described in subsection (b)(2)(i) of this Section, the election judge shall complete the portion of the written affidavit described in subsection (b)(2)(iii) and (b)(2)(iv).

(4) The election judge shall give a copy of the completed written affidavit to the person. The election judge shall place the original written affidavit in a self-adhesive clear plastic packing list envelope that must be attached to a separate envelope marked as a "provisional ballot envelope". The election judge shall also place any information provided by the person who casts a provisional ballot in the clear plastic packing list envelope. Each county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, must design, obtain or procure self-adhesive clear plastic packing list envelopes and provisional ballot envelopes that are suitable for implementing this subsection (b)(4) of this Section.

(5) The election judge shall provide the person with a provisional ballot, written instructions for casting a provisional ballot, and the provisional ballot envelope with the clear plastic packing list envelope affixed to it, which contains the person's original written affidavit and, if any, information provided by the provisional voter to support his or her claim that he or she is a duly registered voter. An election judge must also give the person written information that states that any person who casts a provisional ballot shall be able to ascertain, pursuant to guidelines established by the State Board of Elections, whether the provisional vote was counted in the official canvass of votes for that election and, if the provisional vote was not counted, the reason that the vote was not counted.

(6) After the person has completed marking his or her provisional ballot, he or she shall place the marked ballot inside of the provisional ballot envelope, close and seal the envelope, and return the envelope to an election judge, who shall then deposit the sealed provisional ballot envelope into a securable container separately identified and utilized for containing sealed provisional ballot envelopes. Ballots that are provisional because they are cast after 7:00 p.m. by court order shall be kept separate from other provisional ballots. Upon the closing of the polls, the securable container shall be sealed with filament tape provided for that purpose, which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, and each of the election judges shall sign the seal.

(c) Instead of the affidavit form described in subsection (b), the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, may design and use a multi-part affidavit form that is imprinted upon or attached to the provisional ballot envelope described in subsection (b). If a county clerk or board of election commissioners elects to design and use its own multi-part affidavit form, then the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall establish a mechanism for accepting any information the provisional voter has supplied to the election judge to support his or her claim that he or she is a duly registered voter. In all other respects, a county clerk or board of election commissioners shall establish procedures consistent with subsection (b).

(d) The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, shall use the completed affidavit form described in subsection (b) to update the person's voter registration information in the State voter registration database and voter registration database of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be. If a person is later determined not to be a registered voter based on Section 18A-15 of this Code, then the affidavit shall be processed by the county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, as a voter registration application.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 93-1071, eff. 6-1-05.)

(10 ILCS 5/18A-15)

Sec. 18A-15. Validating and counting provisional ballots.

(a) The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall complete the validation and counting of provisional ballots within 14 calendar days of the day of the election. The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall have 7 calendar days from the completion of the validation and counting of provisional ballots to conduct its final canvass. The State Board of Elections shall complete within 31 calendar days of the election or sooner if all the returns are received, its final canvass of the vote for all public offices.

(b) If a county clerk or board of election commissioners determines that all of the following apply, then a provisional ballot is valid and shall be counted as a vote:

(1) The provisional voter cast the provisional ballot in the correct precinct based on the address provided by the provisional voter. The provisional voter's affidavit shall serve as a change of address request by that voter for registration purposes for the next ensuing election if it bears an address different from that in the records of the election authority;

(2) The affidavit executed by the provisional voter pursuant to subsection (b)(2) of Section 18A-5 contains, at a minimum, the provisional voter's first and last name, house number and street name, and signature or mark 18A-10 is properly executed; and

(3) the provisional voter is a registered voter based on information available to the county clerk or board of election commissioners provided by or obtained from any of the following:

i. the provisional voter;

ii. an election judge;

iii. the statewide voter registration database maintained by the State Board of Elections;

iv. the records of the county clerk or board of election commissioners' database; or

v. the records of the Secretary of State.

(c) With respect to subsection (b)(3) of this Section, the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall investigate and record whether or not the specified each of the 5 types of information is available from each of the 5 identified sources and record whether this information is or is not available. If the one or more types of information is available from one or more of the identified sources, then the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall seek to obtain the all relevant information from each of those sources until satisfied, with information from at least one of those sources, that the provisional voter is registered and entitled to vote all sources identified in subsection (b)(3). The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall use any information it obtains as the basis for determining the voter registration status of the provisional voter. If a conflict exists among the information available to the county clerk or board of election commissioners as to the registration status of the provisional voter, then the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall make a determination based on the totality of the circumstances. In a case where the above information equally supports or opposes the registration status of the voter, the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall decide in favor of the provisional voter as being duly registered to vote. If the statewide voter registration database maintained by the State Board of Elections indicates that the provisional voter is registered to vote, but the county clerk's or board of election commissioners' voter registration database indicates that the provisional voter is not registered to vote, then the information found in the statewide voter registration database shall control the matter and the provisional voter shall be deemed to be registered to vote. If the records of the county clerk or board of election commissioners indicates that the provisional voter is registered to vote, but the statewide voter registration database maintained by the State Board of Elections indicates that the provisional voter is not registered to vote, then the information found in the records of the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall control the matter and the provisional voter shall be deemed to be registered to vote. If the provisional voter's signature on his or her provisional ballot request varies from the signature on an otherwise valid registration application solely because of the substitution of initials for the first or middle name, the election authority may not reject the provisional ballot.

(d) In validating the registration status of a person casting a provisional ballot, the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall not require a provisional voter to complete any form other than the affidavit executed by the provisional voter under subsection (b)(2) of Section 18A-5. In addition, the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall not require all provisional voters or any particular class or group of provisional voters to appear personally before the county clerk or board of election commissioners or as a matter of policy require provisional voters to submit additional information to verify or otherwise support the information already submitted by the provisional voter. The provisional voter may, within 2 calendar days after the election, submit additional information to the county clerk or board of election commissioners. This information must be received by the county clerk or board of election commissioners within the 2-calendar-day period.

(e) If the county clerk or board of election commissioners determines that subsection (b)(1), (b)(2), or (b)(3) does not apply, then the provisional ballot is not valid and may not be counted. The provisional ballot envelope containing the ballot cast by the provisional voter may not be opened. The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall write on the provisional ballot envelope the following: "Provisional ballot determined invalid.".

(f) If the county clerk or board of election commissioners determines that a provisional ballot is valid under this Section, then the provisional ballot envelope shall be opened. The outside of each provisional ballot envelope shall also be marked to identify the precinct and the date of the election.

(g) The provisional ballots determined to be valid shall be added to the vote totals for the precincts from which they were cast in the order in which the ballots were opened. The county clerk or board of election commissioners may, in the alternative, create a separate provisional-voter precinct for the purpose of counting and recording provisional ballots and adding the recorded votes to its official canvass. The validation and counting of provisional ballots shall be subject to the provisions of this Code that apply to pollwatchers. If the provisional ballots are a ballot of a punch card voting system, then the provisional ballot shall be counted in a manner consistent with Article 24A. If the provisional ballots are a ballot of optical scan or other type of approved electronic voting system, then the provisional ballots shall be counted in a manner consistent with Article 24B.

(h) As soon as the ballots have been counted, the election judges or election officials shall, in the presence of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, place each of the following items in a separate envelope or bag: (1) all provisional ballots, voted or spoiled; (2) all provisional ballot envelopes of provisional ballots voted or spoiled; and (3) all executed affidavits of the provisional ballots voted or spoiled. All provisional ballot envelopes for provisional voters who have been determined not to be registered to vote shall remain sealed. The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall treat the provisional ballot envelope containing the written affidavit as a voter registration application for that person for the next election and process that application. The election judges or election officials shall then securely seal each envelope or bag, initial the envelope or bag, and plainly mark on the outside of the envelope or bag in ink the precinct in which the provisional ballots were cast. The election judges or election officials shall then place each sealed envelope or bag into a box, secure and seal it in the same manner as described in item (6) of subsection (b) of Section 18A-5. Each election judge or election official shall take and subscribe an oath before the county clerk or board of election commissioners that the election judge or election official securely kept the ballots and papers in the box, did not permit any person to open the box or otherwise touch or tamper with the ballots and papers in the box, and has no knowledge of any other person opening the box. For purposes of this Section, the term "election official" means the county clerk, a member of the board of election commissioners, as the case may be, and their respective employees.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/19-2.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 19-2.1)

Sec. 19-2.1. At the consolidated primary, general primary, consolidated, and general elections, electors entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the provisions of Section 19-1 may vote in person at the office of the municipal clerk, if the elector is a resident of a municipality not having a board of election commissioners, or at the office of the township clerk or, in counties not under township organization, at the office of the road district clerk if the elector is not a resident of a municipality; provided, in each case that the municipal, township or road district clerk, as the case may be, is authorized to conduct in-person absentee voting pursuant to this Section. Absentee voting in such municipal and township clerk's offices under this Section shall be conducted from the 22nd day through the day before the election.

Municipal and township clerks (or road district clerks) who have regularly scheduled working hours at regularly designated offices other than a place of residence and whose offices are open for business during the same hours as the office of the election authority shall conduct in-person absentee voting for said elections. Municipal and township clerks (or road district clerks) who have no regularly scheduled working hours but who have regularly designated offices other than a place of residence shall conduct in-person absentee voting for said elections during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weekdays, and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturdays, but not during such hours as the office of the election authority is closed, unless the clerk files a written waiver with the election authority not later than July 1 of each year stating that he or she is unable to conduct such voting and the reasons therefor. Such clerks who conduct in-person absentee voting may extend their hours for that purpose to include any hours in which the election authority's office is open. Municipal and township clerks (or road district clerks) who have no regularly scheduled office hours and no regularly designated offices other than a place of residence may not conduct in-person absentee voting for said elections. The election authority may devise alternative methods for in-person absentee voting before said elections for those precincts located within the territorial area of a municipality or township (or road district) wherein the clerk of such municipality or township (or road district) has waived or is not entitled to conduct such voting. In addition, electors may vote by absentee ballot under the provisions of Section 19-1 at the office of the election authority having jurisdiction over their residence.

In conducting absentee voting under this Section, the respective clerks shall not be required to verify the signature of the absentee voter by comparison with the signature on the official registration record card. However, the clerk shall reasonably ascertain the identity of such applicant, shall verify that each such applicant is a registered voter, and shall verify the precinct in which he or she is registered and the proper ballots of the political subdivisions in which the applicant resides and is entitled to vote, prior to providing any absentee ballot to such applicant. The clerk shall verify the applicant's registration and from the most recent poll list provided by the county clerk, and if the applicant is not listed on that poll list then by telephoning the office of the county clerk.

Absentee voting procedures in the office of the municipal, township and road district clerks shall be subject to all of the applicable provisions of this Article 19. Pollwatchers may be appointed to observe in-person absentee voting procedures and view all reasonably requested records relating to the conduct of the election, provided the secrecy of the ballot is not impinged, at the office of the municipal, township or road district clerks' offices where such absentee voting is conducted. Such pollwatchers shall qualify and be appointed in the same manner as provided in Sections 7-34 and 17-23, except each candidate, political party or organization of citizens may appoint only one pollwatcher for each location where in-person absentee voting is conducted. Pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois and possess valid pollwatcher credentials. All requirements in this Article applicable to election authorities shall apply to the respective local clerks, except where inconsistent with this Section.

The sealed absentee ballots in their carrier envelope shall be delivered by the respective clerks, or by the election authority on behalf of a clerk if the clerk and the election authority agree, to the proper polling place before the close of the polls on the day of the general primary, consolidated primary, consolidated, or general election.

Not more than 23 days before the nonpartisan, general and consolidated elections, the county clerk shall make available to those municipal, township and road district clerks conducting in-person absentee voting within such county, a sufficient number of applications, absentee ballots, envelopes, and printed voting instruction slips for use by absentee voters in the offices of such clerks. The respective clerks shall receipt for all ballots received, shall return all unused or spoiled ballots to the county clerk on the day of the election and shall strictly account for all ballots received.

The ballots delivered to the respective clerks shall include absentee ballots for each precinct in the municipality, township or road district, or shall include such separate ballots for each political subdivision conducting an election of officers or a referendum on that election day as will permit any resident of the municipality, township or road district to vote absentee in the office of the proper clerk.

The clerks of all municipalities, townships and road districts may distribute applications for absentee ballot for the use of voters who wish to mail such applications to the appropriate election authority. Such applications for absentee ballots shall be made on forms provided by the election authority. Duplication of such forms by the municipal, township or road district clerk is prohibited.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/19-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 19-4)

Sec. 19-4. Mailing or delivery of ballots - Time.) Immediately upon the receipt of such application either by mail, not more than 40 days nor less than 5 days prior to such election, or by personal delivery not more than 40 days nor less than one day prior to such election, at the office of such election authority, it shall be the duty of such election authority to examine the records to ascertain whether or not such applicant is lawfully entitled to vote as requested, and if found so to be, to post within one business day thereafter the name, street address, ward and precinct number or township and district number, as the case may be, of such applicant given on a list, the pages of which are to be numbered consecutively to be kept by such election authority for such purpose in a conspicuous, open and public place accessible to the public at the entrance of the office of such election authority, and in such a manner that such list may be viewed without necessity of requesting permission therefor. Within one business day after posting the name and other information of an applicant for an absentee ballot, the election authority shall transmit that name and other posted information to the State Board of Elections, which shall maintain those names and other information in an electronic format on its website, arranged by county and accessible to State and local political committees. , and Within 2 business days after posting a name and other information on the list within its office, the election authority shall thereafter to mail, postage prepaid, or deliver in person in such office an official ballot or ballots if more than one are to be voted at said election. Mail delivery of Temporarily Absent Student ballot applications pursuant to Section 19-12.3 shall be by nonforwardable mail. However, for the consolidated election, absentee ballots for certain precincts may be delivered to applicants not less than 25 days before the election if so much time is required to have prepared and printed the ballots containing the names of persons nominated for offices at the consolidated primary. The election authority shall enclose with each absentee ballot or application written instructions on how voting assistance shall be provided pursuant to Section 17-14 and a document, written and approved by the State Board of Elections, enumerating the circumstances under which a person is authorized to vote by absentee ballot pursuant to this Article; such document shall also include a statement informing the applicant that if he or she falsifies or is solicited by another to falsify his or her eligibility to cast an absentee ballot, such applicant or other is subject to penalties pursuant to Section 29-10 and Section 29-20 of the Election Code. Each election authority shall maintain a list of the name, street address, ward and precinct, or township and district number, as the case may be, of all applicants who have returned absentee ballots to such authority, and the name of such absent voter shall be added to such list within one business day from receipt of such ballot. If the absentee ballot envelope indicates that the voter was assisted in casting the ballot, the name of the person so assisting shall be included on the list. The list, the pages of which are to be numbered consecutively, shall be kept by each election authority in a conspicuous, open, and public place accessible to the public at the entrance of the office of the election authority and in a manner that the list may be viewed without necessity of requesting permission for viewing.

Each election authority shall maintain a list for each election of the voters to whom it has issued absentee ballots. The list shall be maintained for each precinct within the jurisdiction of the election authority. Prior to the opening of the polls on election day, the election authority shall deliver to the judges of election in each precinct the list of registered voters in that precinct to whom absentee ballots have been issued by mail.

Each election authority shall maintain a list for each election of voters to whom it has issued temporarily absent student ballots. The list shall be maintained for each election jurisdiction within which such voters temporarily abide. Immediately after the close of the period during which application may be made by mail for absentee ballots, each election authority shall mail to each other election authority within the State a certified list of all such voters temporarily abiding within the jurisdiction of the other election authority.

In the event that the return address of an application for ballot by a physically incapacitated elector is that of a facility licensed or certified under the Nursing Home Care Act, within the jurisdiction of the election authority, and the applicant is a registered voter in the precinct in which such facility is located, the ballots shall be prepared and transmitted to a responsible judge of election no later than 9 a.m. on the Saturday, Sunday or Monday immediately preceding the election as designated by the election authority under Section 19-12.2. Such judge shall deliver in person on the designated day the ballot to the applicant on the premises of the facility from which application was made. The election authority shall by mail notify the applicant in such facility that the ballot will be delivered by a judge of election on the designated day.

All applications for absentee ballots shall be available at the office of the election authority for public inspection upon request from the time of receipt thereof by the election authority until 30 days after the election, except during the time such applications are kept in the office of the election authority pursuant to Section 19-7, and except during the time such applications are in the possession of the judges of election.

(Source: P.A. 89-653, eff. 8-14-96; 90-101, eff. 7-11-97.)

(10 ILCS 5/19-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 19-10)

Sec. 19-10. Pollwatchers may be appointed to observe in-person absentee voting procedures and view all reasonably requested records relating to the conduct of the election, provided the secrecy of the ballot is not impinged, at the office of the election authority as well as at municipal, township or road district clerks' offices where such absentee voting is conducted. Such pollwatchers shall qualify and be appointed in the same manner as provided in Sections 7-34 and 17-23, except each candidate, political party or organization of citizens may appoint only one pollwatcher for each location where in-person absentee voting is conducted. Pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois and possess valid pollwatcher credentials.

In the polling place on election day, pollwatchers shall be permitted to be present during the casting of the absent voters' ballots and the vote of any absent voter may be challenged for cause the same as if he were present and voted in person, and the judges of the election or a majority thereof shall have power and authority to hear and determine the legality of such ballot; Provided, however, that if a challenge to any absent voter's right to vote is sustained, notice of the same must be given by the judges of election by mail addressed to the voter's place of residence.

Where certain absent voters' ballots are counted on the day of the election in the office of the election authority as provided in Section 19-8 of this Act, each political party, candidate and qualified civic organization shall be entitled to have present one pollwatcher for each panel of election judges therein assigned. Such pollwatchers shall be subject to the same provisions as are provided for pollwatchers in Sections 7-34 and 17-23 of this Code, and shall be permitted to observe the election judges making the signature comparison between that which is on the ballot envelope and that which is on the permanent voter registration record card taken from the master file.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/Art. 19A heading new)

ARTICLE 19A. EARLY VOTING BY PERSONAL APPEARANCE

(10 ILCS 5/19A-5 new)

Sec. 19A-5. Issuance of ballots; voting booths.

(a) If a request is made to vote early by a registered voter in person, the election authority shall issue a ballot for early voting to the voter. The ballot must be voted on the premises of the election authority, except as otherwise provided in this Article, and returned to the election authority.

(b) On the dates for early voting prescribed in Section 19A-15, each election authority shall provide voting booths, with suitable equipment for voting, on the premises of the election authority and any other early voting polling place for use by registered voters who are issued ballots for early voting in accordance with this Article.

(c) The election authority must maintain a list for each election of the voters to whom it has issued early ballots. The list must be maintained for each precinct within the election authority's jurisdiction. Before the opening of the polls on election day, the election authority shall deliver to the judges of election in each precinct the list of registered voters who have voted by early ballot.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-10 new)

Sec. 19A-10. Permanent polling places for early voting.

(a) An election authority may establish permanent polling places for early voting by personal appearance at locations throughout the election authority's jurisdiction, including but not limited to a municipal clerk's office, a township clerk's office, a road district clerk's office, or a county or local public agency office. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), any person entitled to vote early by personal appearance may do so at any polling place established for early voting.

(b) If it is impractical for the election authority to provide at each polling place for early voting a ballot in every form required in the election authority's jurisdiction, the election authority may:

(1) provide appropriate forms of ballots to the office of the municipal clerk in a municipality not having a board of election commissioners; the township clerk; or in counties not under township organization, the road district clerk; and

(2) limit voting at that polling place to registered voters in that municipality, ward or group of wards, township, or road district.

If the early voting polling place does not have the correct ballot form for a person seeking to vote early, the election judge or election official conducting early voting at that polling place shall inform the person of that fact, give the person the appropriate telephone number of the election authority in order to locate an early voting polling place with the correct ballot form for use in that person's assigned precinct, and instruct the person to go to the proper early voting polling place to vote early.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-15 new)

Sec. 19A-15. Period for early voting; hours.

(a) The period for early voting by personal appearance begins the 22nd day preceding a general primary, consolidated primary, consolidated, or general election and extends through the 5th day before election day.

(b) A permanent polling place for early voting must remain open during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-20 new)

Sec. 19A-20. Temporary branch polling places.

(a) In addition to permanent polling places for early voting, the election authority may establish temporary branch polling places for early voting.

(b) The provisions of subsection (b) of Section 19A-15 do not apply to a temporary polling place. Voting at a temporary branch polling place may be conducted on any one or more days and during any hours within the period for early voting by personal appearance that are determined by the election authority.

(c) The schedules for conducting voting do not need to be uniform among the temporary branch polling places.

(d) The legal rights and remedies which inure to the owner or lessor of private property are not impaired or otherwise affected by the leasing of the property for use as a temporary branch polling place for early voting, except to the extent necessary to conduct early voting at that location.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-25 new)

Sec. 19A-25. Schedule of locations and times for early voting.

(a) The election authority shall publish during the week before the period for early voting and at least once each week during the period for early voting in a newspaper of general circulation in the election authority's jurisdiction a schedule stating:

(1) the location of each permanent and temporary polling place for early voting and the precincts served by each location; and

(2) the dates and hours that early voting will be conducted at each location.

(b) The election authority shall post a copy of the schedule at any office or other location that is to be used as a polling place for early voting. The schedule must be posted continuously for a period beginning not later than the 5th day before the first day of the period for early voting by personal appearance and ending on the last day of that period.

(c) The election authority must make copies of the schedule available to the public in reasonable quantities without charge during the period of posting.

(d) If the election authority maintains a website, it shall make the schedule available on its website.

(e) No additional polling places for early voting may be established after the schedule is published under this Section.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-25.5 new)

Sec. 19A-25.5. Voting machines, automatic tabulating equipment, and precinct tabulation optical scan technology voting equipment.

(a) In all jurisdictions in which voting machines are used, the provisions of this Code that are not inconsistent with this Article relating to the furnishing of ballot boxes, printing and furnishing ballots and supplies, the canvassing of ballots, and the making of returns, apply with full force and effect to the extent necessary to make this Article effective, provided that the number of ballots to be printed shall be in the discretion of the election authority, and provided further that early ballots shall not be counted until after the polls are closed on election day.

(b) If the election authority has adopted the use of automatic tabulating equipment under Article 24A of this Code, and the provisions of that Article are in conflict with the provisions of this Article 19A, the provisions of Article 24A shall govern the procedures followed by the election authority, its judges of election, and all employees and agents; provided that early ballots shall not be counted until after the polls are closed on election day.

(c) If the election authority has adopted the use of precinct tabulation optical scan technology voting equipment under Article 24B of this Code, and the provisions of that Article are in conflict with the provisions of this Article 19A, the provisions of Article 24B shall govern the procedures followed by the election authority, its judges of election, and all employees and agents; provided that early ballots shall not be counted until after the polls are closed on election day.

(d) If the election authority has adopted the use of Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems under Article 24C of this Code, and the provisions of that Article are in conflict with the provisions of this Article 19A, the provisions of Article 24C shall govern the procedures followed by the election authority, its judges of election, and all employees and agents; provided that early ballots shall not be counted until after the polls are closed on election day.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-30 new)

Sec. 19A-30. Persons conducting early voting.

(a) The election authority (i) must use election judges to conduct early voting at an early voting polling place or (ii) must appoint an employee or, if appropriate, designate a municipal clerk, township clerk, or road district clerk to serve as the election official in charge of a polling place for early voting.

(b) If the election authority uses an employee or designates a municipal, township, or road district clerk under subsection (a), then the election authority may also appoint as many additional election officials as it deems necessary for the proper conduct of the election.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-35 new)

Sec. 19A-35. Procedure for voting.

(a) Not more than 23 days before the start of early voting, the county clerk shall make available to the election authority conducting early voting by personal appearance a sufficient number of early ballots, envelopes, and printed voting instruction slips for the use of early voters. The election authority shall receipt for all ballots received and shall return unused or spoiled ballots at the close of the early voting period to the county clerk and must strictly account for all ballots received. The ballots delivered to the election authority must include early ballots for each precinct in the election authority's jurisdiction and must include separate ballots for each political subdivision conducting an election of officers or a referendum at that election.

(b) In conducting early voting under this Article, the election judge or official is not required to verify the signature of the early voter by comparison with the signature on the official registration card, however, the judge or official must verify (i) the identity of the applicant, (ii) that the applicant is a registered voter, (iii) the precinct in which the applicant is registered, and (iv) the proper ballots of the political subdivision in which the applicant resides and is entitled to vote before providing an early ballot to the applicant. The applicant's identity must be verified by the applicant's presentation of an Illinois driver's license, a non-driver identification card issued by the Illinois Secretary of State, or another government-issued identification document containing the applicant's photograph. The election judge or official must verify the applicant's registration from the most recent poll list provided by the election authority, and if the applicant is not listed on that poll list, by telephoning the office of the election authority.

(c) The sealed early ballots in their carrier envelope shall be delivered by the election authority to the proper polling place before the close of the polls on the day of the election.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-40 new)

Sec. 19A-40. Enclosure of ballots in envelope. It is the duty of the election judge or official to fold the ballot or ballots in the manner specified by the statute for folding ballots prior to their deposit in the ballot box, and to enclose the ballot or ballots in an envelope unsealed to be furnished by him or her, which envelope shall bear upon the face thereof the name, official title, and post office address of the election authority, and upon the other side a printed certification in substantially the following form:

I state that I am a resident of the .... precinct of the (1) *township of .... (2) *City of .... or (3) *.... ward in the city of .... residing at .... in that city or town in the county of .... and State of Illinois, that I have lived at that address for .... months last past; that I am lawfully entitled to vote in that precinct at the .... election to be held on .... . *fill in either (1), (2) or (3).

I further state that I personally marked the enclosed ballot in secret.

Under penalties of perjury as provided by law pursuant to Section 29-10 of the Election Code, the undersigned certifies that the statements set forth in this certification are true and correct.

.......................

If the ballot enclosed is to be voted at a primary election, the certification shall designate the name of the political party with which the voter is affiliated.

In addition to the above, the election authority shall provide printed slips giving full instructions regarding the manner of marking and returning the ballot in order that the same may be counted, and shall furnish one of the printed slips to each of such applicants at the same time the ballot is delivered to him or her. The instructions shall include the following statement: "In signing the certification on the early ballot envelope, you are attesting that you personally marked this early ballot in secret. If you are physically unable to mark the ballot, a friend or relative may assist you. Federal and State laws prohibit your employer, your employer's agent, or an officer or agent of your union from assisting physically disabled voters."

In addition to the above, if a ballot to be provided to a voter pursuant to this Section contains a public question described in subsection (b) of Section 28-6 and the territory concerning which the question is to be submitted is not described on the ballot due to the space limitations of the ballot, the election authority shall provide a printed copy of a notice of the public question, which shall include a description of the territory in the manner required by Section 16-7. The notice shall be furnished to the voter at the same time the ballot is delivered to the voter.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-45 new)

Sec. 19A-45. Certification. The voter shall make and subscribe the certification provided for on the return envelope of the ballot, and the ballot or ballots shall be folded by the voter in the manner required to be folded before depositing the ballot in the ballot box, and shall be deposited in the envelope and the envelope securely sealed. The voter shall then endorse his or her certificate on the back of the envelope and the envelope shall be returned to the election judge or official conducting the early voting.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-50 new)

Sec. 19A-50. Receipt of ballots. Upon receipt of the voter's ballot, the election judge or official shall enclose the unopened ballot in a large or carrier envelope that shall be securely sealed and endorsed with the name and official title of the election judge or official and the words, "This envelope contains a ballot and must be opened on election day", together with the number and description of the precinct in which the ballot is to be voted, and the election authority shall safely keep the envelope in its office until delivered to the judges of election as provided in Section 19A-35.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-55 new)

Sec. 19A-55. Casting the ballots. At the close of the regular balloting and at the close of the polls the judges of election of each voting precinct shall proceed to cast the early voter's ballot separately, and as each early voter's ballot is taken shall open the outer or carrier envelope, announce the early voter's name, and compare the signature upon the official registration card with the signature upon the certification on the ballot envelope. In case the judges find the certification properly executed, that the signatures correspond, that the applicant is a duly qualified voter in the precinct, and the voter has not been present and voted on the election day, they shall open the envelope containing the early voter's ballot in a manner that does not deface or destroy the certification thereon, or mark or tear the ballots therein and take out the ballot or ballots therein contained without unfolding or permitting the same to be unfolded or examined, and having endorsed the ballot in like manner as other ballots are required to be endorsed, shall deposit the same in the proper ballot box or boxes and enter the early voter's name in the poll book the same as if he or she had voted on election day. The judges shall place the early ballot certification envelopes in a separate envelope as per the direction of the election authority. The envelope containing the early ballot certification envelopes shall be returned to the election authority and preserved in like manner as the official poll record.

In case the signatures do not correspond, or the applicant is not a duly qualified voter in the precinct or the ballot envelope is open or has been opened and resealed, or the voter has voted on election day, the previously cast vote shall not be allowed, but without opening the early voter's envelope the judge of the election shall mark across the face thereof, "Rejected", giving the reason therefor.

In case the ballot envelope contains more than one ballot of any kind, the ballots shall not be counted, but shall be marked "Rejected", giving the reason therefor.

The early voters' envelopes and affidavits and the early voters' envelope with its contents unopened, when the early vote is rejected, shall be retained and preserved in the manner as now provided for the retention and preservation of official ballots rejected at the election.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-60 new)

Sec. 19A-60. Pollwatchers. Pollwatchers may be appointed to observe early voting by personal appearance at each permanent and temporary polling place where early voting is conducted. The pollwatchers shall qualify and be appointed in the same manner as provided in Sections 7-34 and 17-23, except that each candidate, political party, or organization of citizens may appoint only one pollwatcher for each location where early voting by personal appearance is conducted. Pollwatchers must be residents of the State and possess valid pollwatcher credentials.

In the polling place on election day, pollwatchers are permitted to be present during the casting of the early ballots and the vote of an early voter may be challenged for cause the same as if the voter were present and voted on election day. The judges of election or election authority personnel conducting early voting, or a majority of either of these, have the power and authority to hear and determine the legality of the early ballot, provided that if a challenge to any early voter's right to vote is sustained, notice of the challenge must be given by the judges of election or election authority by mail addressed to the voter's place of residence.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-65 new)

Sec. 19A-65. Death of voter before opening of polls. Whenever due proof is made to the judges of election or election authority personnel counting early ballots that any voter who has marked an early ballot as provided in this Article has died before the opening of the polls on the date of the election, the ballot of the deceased voter shall be returned in the same manner provided for rejected ballots; but the casting of the ballot of a deceased voter shall not invalidate the election.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-70 new)

Sec. 19A-70. Advertising or campaigning in proximity of polling place; penalty. During the period prescribed in Section 19A-15 for early voting by personal appearance, no advertising pertaining to any candidate or proposition to be voted on may be displayed in or within 100 feet of any polling place used by voters under this Article. No person may engage in electioneering in or within 100 feet of any polling place used by voters under this Article. The provisions of Section 17-29 with respect to establishment of a campaign free zone apply to polling places under this Article.

Any person who violates this Section may be punished for contempt of court.

(10 ILCS 5/19A-75 new)

Sec. 19A-75. Early voting in jurisdictions using Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems under Article 24C. Election authorities that have adopted for use Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems under Article 24C may either use those voting systems to conduct early voting or, so long as at least one Direct Recording Electronic Voting System device is available at each early voting polling place, use whatever method the election authority uses for absentee balloting conducted by mail; provided that no early ballots are counted before the polls close on election day.

(10 ILCS 5/20-4) (from Ch. 46, par. 20-4)

Sec. 20-4. Immediately upon the receipt of the official postcard or an application as provided in Section 20-3 within the times heretofore prescribed, the election authority shall ascertain whether or not such applicant is legally entitled to vote as requested. If the election authority ascertains that the applicant is lawfully entitled to vote, it shall enter the name, street address, ward and precinct number of such applicant on a list to be posted in his or its office in a place accessible to the public. Within one business day after posting the name and other information of an applicant for a ballot, the election authority shall transmit that name and posted information to the State Board of Elections, which shall maintain the names and other information in an electronic format on its website, arranged by county and accessible to State and local political committees. As soon as the official ballot is prepared the election authority shall immediately deliver the same to the applicant in person or by mail, in the manner prescribed in Section 20-5.

If any such election authority receives a second or additional application which it believes is from the same person, he or it shall submit it to the chief judge of the circuit court or any judge of that court designated by the chief judge. If the chief judge or his designate determines that the application submitted to him is a second or additional one, he shall so notify the election authority who shall disregard the second or additional application.

The election authority shall maintain a list for each election of the voters to whom it has issued absentee ballots. The list shall be maintained for each precinct within the jurisdiction of the election authority. Prior to the opening of the polls on election day, the election authority shall deliver to the judges of election in each precinct the list of registered voters in that precinct to whom absentee ballots have been issued.

(Source: P.A. 81-0155; 81-0953; 81-1509.)

(10 ILCS 5/22-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 22-1)

Sec. 22-1. Abstracts of votes. Within 21 days after the close of the election at which candidates for offices hereinafter named in this Section are voted upon, the county clerks of the respective counties, with the assistance of the chairmen of the county central committees of the Republican and Democratic parties of the county, shall open the returns and make abstracts of the votes on a separate sheet for each of the following:

A. For Governor and Lieutenant Governor;

B. For State officers;

C. For presidential electors;

D. For United States Senators and Representatives to Congress;

E. For judges of the Supreme Court;

F. For judges of the Appellate Court;

G. For judges of the circuit court;

H. For Senators and Representatives to the General Assembly;

I. For State's Attorneys elected from 2 or more counties;

J. For amendments to the Constitution, and for other propositions submitted to the electors of the entire State;

K. For county officers and for propositions submitted to the electors of the county only;

L. For Regional Superintendent of Schools;

M. For trustees of Sanitary Districts; and

N. For Trustee of a Regional Board of School Trustees.

Each sheet shall report the returns by precinct or ward.

Multiple originals of each of the sheets shall be prepared and one of each shall be turned over to the chairman of the county central committee of each of the then existing established political parties, as defined in Section 10-2, or his duly authorized representative immediately after the completion of the entries on the sheets and before the totals have been compiled.

The foregoing abstracts shall be preserved by the county clerk in his office.

Whenever any county chairman is also county clerk or whenever any county chairman is unable to serve as a member of such canvassing board the vice-chairman or secretary of his county central committee, in that order, shall serve in his place as member of such canvassing board; provided, that if none of these persons is able to serve, the county chairman may appoint a member of his county central committee to serve as a member of such canvassing board.

The powers and duties of the county canvassing board are limited to those specified in this Section. In no event shall such canvassing board open any package in which the ballots have been wrapped or any envelope containing "defective" or "objected to" ballots, or in any manner undertake to examine the ballots used in the election, except as provided in Section 22-9.1 or when directed by a court in an election contest. Nor shall such canvassing board call in the precinct judges of election or any other persons to open or recount the ballots.

No person who is shown by the canvassing board's proclamation to have been elected at the consolidated election or general election as a write-in candidate shall take office unless that person has first filed with the certifying office or board a statement of candidacy pursuant to Section 7-10 or Section 10-5, a statement pursuant to Section 7-10.1, and a receipt for filing a statement of economic interests in relation to the unit of government to which he or she has been elected. For officers elected at the consolidated election, the certifying officer shall notify the election authority of the receipt of those documents, and the county clerk shall issue the certification of election under the provisions of Section 22-18.

(Source: P.A. 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(10 ILCS 5/22-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 22-5)

Sec. 22-5. Immediately after the completion of the abstracts of votes by precinct or ward, the county clerk shall make 2 correct copies of the abstracts of votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney General, both of which said copies he shall envelope and seal up, and endorse upon the envelopes in substance, "Abstracts of votes for State Officers from .... County"; and shall seal up a copy of each of the abstracts of votes for other officers and amendments to the Constitution and other propositions voted on, and endorse the same so as to show the contents of the package, and address the same to the State Board of Elections. The several packages shall then be placed in one envelope and addressed to the State Board of Elections. The county clerk shall send the sealed envelope addressed to the State Board of Elections via overnight mail so it arrives at the address the following calendar day.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/22-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 22-7)

Sec. 22-7. Canvass of votes; declaration and proclamation of result. The State Board of Elections, shall proceed within 31 days after the election, and sooner if all the returns are received, to canvass the votes given for United States Senators and Representatives to Congress, State executive officers, judges of the Supreme Court, judges of the Appellate Court, judges of the Circuit Court, Senators, Representatives to the General Assembly, State's Attorneys and Regional Superintendents of Schools elected from 2 or more counties, respectively, and the persons having the highest number of votes for the respective offices shall be declared duly elected, but if it appears that more than the number of persons to be elected have the highest and an equal number of votes for the same office, the electoral board shall decide by lot which of such persons shall be elected; and to each person duly elected, the Governor shall give a certificate of election or commission, as the case may require, and shall cause proclamation to be made of the result of the canvass, and they shall at the same time and in the same manner, canvass the vote cast upon amendments to the Constitution, and upon other propositions submitted to the electors of the entire State; and the Governor shall cause to be made such proclamation of the result of the canvass as the statutes elsewhere provide. The State Board of Elections shall transmit to the State Comptroller a list of the persons elected to the various offices. The State Board of Elections shall also transmit to the Supreme Court the names of persons elected to judgeships in adversary elections and the names of judges who fail to win retention in office.

No person who is shown by the canvassing board's proclamation to have been elected at the consolidated election or general election as a write-in candidate shall take office unless that person has first filed with the certifying office or board a statement of candidacy pursuant to Section 7-10 or Section 10-5, a statement pursuant to Section 7-10.1, and a receipt for filing a statement of economic interests in relation to the unit of government to which he or she has been elected. For officers elected at the consolidated election, the certifying officer shall notify the election authority of the receipt of those documents, and the county clerk shall issue the certification of election under the provisions of Section 22-18.

(Source: P.A. 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(10 ILCS 5/22-8) (from Ch. 46, par. 22-8)

Sec. 22-8. In municipalities operating under Article 6 of this Act, within 21 days after the close of such election, a judge of the circuit court, with the assistance of the city attorney and the board of election commissioners, who are hereby declared a canvassing board for such city, shall open all returns left respectively, with the election commissioners, the county clerk, and city comptroller, and shall make abstracts or statements of the votes in the following manner, as the case may require, viz: All votes for Governor and Lieutenant Governor on one sheet; all votes for other State officers on another sheet; all votes for presidential electors on another sheet; all votes for United States Senators and Representatives to Congress on another sheet; all votes for judges of the Supreme Court on another sheet; all votes for judges of the Appellate Court on another sheet; all votes for Judges of the Circuit Court on another sheet; all votes for Senators and Representatives to the General Assembly on another sheet; all votes for State's Attorneys where elected from 2 or more counties on another sheet; all votes for County Officers on another sheet; all votes for City Officers on another sheet; all votes for Town Officers on another sheet; and all votes for any other office on a separate and appropriate sheet; all votes for any proposition, which may be submitted to a vote of the people, on another sheet, and all votes against any proposition, submitted to a vote of the people, on another sheet.

Each sheet shall report the returns by precinct or ward.

Multiple originals of each of the sheets shall be prepared and one of each shall be turned over to the chairman of the county central committee of each of the then existing established political parties, as defined in Section 10-2, or his duly authorized representative immediately after the completion of the entries on the sheets and before the totals have been compiled.

(Source: P.A. 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(10 ILCS 5/22-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 22-9)

Sec. 22-9. It shall be the duty of such Board of Canvassers to canvass, and add up and declare the result of every election hereafter held within the boundaries of such city, village or incorporated town, operating under Article 6 of this Act, and the judge of the circuit court shall thereupon enter of record such abstract and result by precinct or ward, and a certified copy of such record shall thereupon be filed with the County Clerk of the county; and such abstracts or results shall be treated, by the County Clerk in all respects, as if made by the Canvassing Board now provided by the foregoing sections of this law, and he shall transmit the same to the State Board of Elections, or other proper officer, as required hereinabove. The county clerk or board of election commissioners, as the case may be, shall send the abstract by precinct or ward and result in a sealed envelope addressed to the State Board of Elections via overnight mail so it arrives at the address the following calendar day. And such abstracts or results so entered and declared by such judge, and a certified copy thereof, shall be treated everywhere within the state, and by all public officers, with the same binding force and effect as the abstract of votes now authorized by the foregoing provisions of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/22-15) (from Ch. 46, par. 22-15)

Sec. 22-15. The county clerk or board of election commissioners shall, upon request, and by mail if so requested, furnish free of charge to any candidate for State office, including State Senator and Representative in the General Assembly, and any candidate for congressional office, whose name appeared upon the ballot within the jurisdiction of the county clerk or board of election commissioners, a copy of the abstract of votes by precinct or ward for all candidates for the office for which such person was a candidate. Such abstract shall be furnished no later than 2 days after the receipt of the request or 8 days after the completing of the canvass, whichever is later.

Within one calendar day following the canvass and proclamation of each general primary election and general election, each election authority shall transmit to the principal office of the State Board of Elections copies of the abstracts of votes by precinct or ward for the above-named offices and for the offices of ward, township, and precinct committeeman via overnight mail so that the abstract of votes arrives at the address the following calendar day. Each election authority shall also transmit to the principal office of the State Board of Elections copies of current precinct poll lists.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/22-15.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 22-15.1)

Sec. 22-15.1. (a) Within 60 days following the canvass of the general election within each election jurisdiction, the election authority shall prepare, in typewritten or legible computer-generated form, a report of the abstracts of votes by precinct for all offices and questions of public policy in connection with which votes were cast within the election jurisdiction at the general election. The report shall include the total number of ballots cast within each precinct or ward and the total number of registered voters within each precinct or ward. The election authority shall provide a copy of the report to the chairman of the county central committee of each established political party in the county within which the election jurisdiction is contained, and shall make a reasonable number of copies of the report available for distribution to the public.

(b) Within 60 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985, each election authority shall prepare, in typewritten or legible computer-generated form, a report of the type required by subsection (a) concerning the general election of 1984. The election authority shall provide a copy of the report to the chairman of the county central committee of each established political party in the county in which the election jurisdiction is contained, and shall make a reasonable number of copies of the report available for distribution to the public.

(c) An election authority may charge a fee to reimburse the actual cost of duplicating each copy of a report provided pursuant to subsection (a) or (b).

(Source: P.A. 89-700, eff. 1-17-97.)

(10 ILCS 5/22-17) (from Ch. 46, par. 22-17)

Sec. 22-17. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the canvass of votes cast at the nonpartisan and consolidated election elections shall be conducted by the following canvassing boards within 21 days after the close of such elections:

1. For city offices, by the mayor, the city attorney and the city clerk.

2. For village and incorporated town offices, by the president of the board of trustees, one member of the board of trustees, and the village or incorporated town clerk.

3. For township offices, by the township supervisor, the eligible town trustee elected in the township who has the longest term of continuous service as town trustee, and the township clerk.

4. For road district offices, by the highway commissioner and the road district clerk.

5. For school district or community college district offices, by the school or community college district board.

6. For special district elected offices, by the board of the special district.

7. For multi-county educational service region offices, by the regional board of school trustees.

8. For township trustee of schools or land commissioner, by the township trustees of schools or land commissioners.

9. For park district offices, by the president of the park board, one member of the board of park commissioners and the secretary of the park district.

10. For multi-township assessment districts, by the chairman, clerk, and assessor of the multi-township assessment district.

(b) The city canvassing board provided in Section 22-8 shall canvass the votes cast at the nonpartisan and consolidated election elections for offices of any political subdivision entirely within the jurisdiction of a municipal board of election commissioners.

(c) The canvass of votes cast upon any public questions submitted to the voters of any political subdivision, or any precinct or combination of precincts within a political subdivision, at any regular election or at any emergency referendum election, including votes cast by voters outside of the political subdivision where the question is for annexation thereto, shall be canvassed by the same board provided for in this Section for the canvass of votes of the officers of such political subdivision. However, referenda conducted throughout a county and referenda of sanitary districts whose officers are elected at general elections shall be canvassed by the county canvassing board. The votes cast on a public question for the formation of a political subdivision shall be canvassed by the circuit court that ordered the question submitted, or by such officers of the court as may be appointed for such purpose, except where in the formation or reorganization of a school district or districts the regional superintendent of schools is designated by law as the canvassing official.

(c-5) No person who is shown by the canvassing board's proclamation to have been elected at the consolidated election or general election as a write-in candidate shall take office unless that person has first filed with the certifying office or board a statement of candidacy pursuant to Section 7-10 or Section 10-5, a statement pursuant to Section 7-10.1, and a receipt for filing a statement of economic interests in relation to the unit of government to which he or she has been elected. For officers elected at the consolidated election, the certifying officer shall notify the election authority of the receipt of those documents, and the county clerk shall issue the certification of election under the provisions of Section 22-18.

(d) The canvass of votes for offices of political subdivisions cast at special elections to fill vacancies held on the day of any regular election shall be conducted by the canvassing board which is responsible for canvassing the votes at the regularly scheduled election for such office.

(e) Abstracts of votes prepared pursuant to canvasses under this Section shall report returns by precinct or ward.

(Source: P.A. 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

(10 ILCS 5/23-15.1)

Sec. 23-15.1. Production of ballot counting code and attendance of witnesses. All voting-system vendors shall, within 90 days after the adoption of rules or upon application for voting-system approval, place in escrow all computer code for its voting system with the State Board of Elections. The State Board of Elections shall promulgate rules to implement this Section. For purposes of this Section, the term "computer code" includes, but is not limited to, ballot counting source code, table structures, modules, program narratives, and other human readable computer instructions used to count ballots. Any computer code submitted by vendors to the State Board of Elections shall be considered strictly confidential and the intellectual property of the vendors and shall not be subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.

The State Board of Elections shall determine which software components of a voting system it deems necessary to enable the review and verification of the computer. The State Board of Elections shall secure and maintain all proprietary computer codes in strict confidence and shall make a computer code available to authorized persons in connection with an election contest or pursuant to any State or federal court order.

In an election contest, each party to the contest may designate one or more persons who are authorized to receive the computer code of the relevant voting systems. The person or persons authorized to receive the relevant computer code shall enter into a confidentiality agreement with the State Board of Elections and must exercise the highest degree of reasonable care to maintain the confidentiality of all proprietary information.

The State Board of Elections shall promulgate rules to provide for the security, review, and verification of computer codes. Verification includes, but is not limited to, determining that the computer code corresponds to computer instructions actually in use to count ballots. The State Board of Elections shall hire, contract with, or otherwise provide sufficiently qualified resources, both human and capital, to conduct the reviews with the greatest possible expectation of thoroughness, completeness, and effectiveness. The resources shall be independent of and have no business, personal, professional, or other affiliation with any of the system vendors currently or prospectively supplying voting systems to any county in the State of Illinois. Nothing in this Section shall impair the obligation of any contract between a voting-systems vendor and an election authority that provides access to computer code that is equal to or greater than that provided by this Section.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/23-50 new)

Sec. 23-50. Definition of a vote. For the purpose of any recount of votes under this Code, a vote is defined as provided in Sections 7-100, 17-100, 18-100, 24A-22, 24B-9.1, or 24C-10, depending upon the type of voting equipment or system used to cast the vote.

(10 ILCS 5/24A-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-10)

Sec. 24A-10. (1) In an election jurisdiction which has adopted an electronic voting system, the election official in charge of the election shall select one of the 3 following procedures for receiving, counting, tallying, and return of the ballots:

(a) Two ballot boxes shall be provided for each polling place. The first ballot box is for the depositing of votes cast on the electronic voting system; and the second ballot box is for all votes cast on paper ballots, including absentee paper and early paper ballots and any other paper ballots required to be voted other than on the electronic voting system. Ballots, except absentee and early ballots for candidates and propositions which are listed on the electronic voting system, deposited in the second ballot box shall be counted, tallied, and returned as is elsewhere provided in "The Election Code," as amended, for the counting and handling of paper ballots. Immediately after the closing of the polls the absentee and early ballots delivered to the precinct judges of election by the election official in charge of the election shall be examined to determine that such ballots comply with Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9 of "The Election Code," as amended, and are entitled to be deposited in the ballot box provided therefor; those entitled to be deposited in this ballot box shall be initialed by the precinct judges of election and deposited therein. Those not entitled to be deposited in this ballot box shall be marked "Rejected" and disposed of as provided in Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9. The precinct judges of election shall then open the second ballot box and examine all paper absentee and early ballots which are in the ballot box to determine whether the absentee and early ballots bear the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any absentee or early ballot is not so initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective," initialed as to such label by all judges immediately under such word "Defective," and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope." The judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall examine the paper absentee and early ballots which were in such ballot box and properly initialed so as to determine whether the same contain write-in votes. Write-in votes, not causing an overvote for an office otherwise voted for on the paper absentee or early ballot, and otherwise properly voted, shall be counted, tallied and recorded on the tally sheet provided for such record. A write-in vote causing an overvote for an office shall not be counted for that office, but the precinct judges shall mark such paper or early absentee ballot "Objected To" on the back thereof and write on its back the manner in which such ballot is counted and initial the same. An overvote for one office shall invalidate only the vote or count of that particular office. After counting, tallying and recording the write-in votes on absentee and early ballots, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of the remaining valid votes on each paper absentee or early ballot which was in the ballot box and properly initialed, by using the electronic voting system used in the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer the remaining valid votes of the voter on the paper absentee ballot to an official ballot or a ballot card of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The original paper absentee or early ballot shall be clearly labeled "Absentee Ballot" or "Early Ballot", as the case may be, and the ballot card so produced "Duplicate Absentee Ballot," or "Duplicate Early Ballot", as the case may be, and each shall bear the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Absentee Ballot" and "Duplicate Early Ballot" ballots or ballot cards and shall place them in the first ballot box provided for return of the ballots to be counted at the central counting location in lieu of the paper absentee and early ballots. The paper absentee and early ballots shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballots."

As soon as the absentee and early ballots have been deposited in the first ballot box, the judges of election shall make out a slip indicating the number of persons who voted in the precinct at the election. Such slip shall be signed by all the judges of election and shall be inserted by them in the first ballot box. The judges of election shall thereupon immediately lock the first ballot box; provided, that if such box is not of a type which may be securely locked, such box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, and in such manner that the seal completely covers the slot in the ballot box, and each of the judges shall sign such seal. Thereupon two of the judges of election, of different political parties, shall forthwith and by the most direct route transport both ballot boxes to the counting location designated by the county clerk or board of election commissioners.

Before the ballots of a precinct are fed to the electronic tabulating equipment, the first ballot box shall be opened at the central counting station by the two precinct transport judges. Upon opening a ballot box, such team shall first count the number of ballots in the box. If 2 or more are folded together so as to appear to have been cast by the same person, all of the ballots so folded together shall be marked and returned with the other ballots in the same condition, as near as may be, in which they were found when first opened, but shall not be counted. If the remaining ballots are found to exceed the number of persons voting in the precinct as shown by the slip signed by the judges of election, the ballots shall be replaced in the box, and the box closed and well shaken and again opened and one of the precinct transport judges shall publicly draw out so many ballots unopened as are equal to such excess.

Such excess ballots shall be marked "Excess-Not Counted" and signed by the two precinct transport judges and shall be placed in the "After 7:00 p.m. Defective Ballots Envelope". The number of excess ballots shall be noted in the remarks section of the Certificate of Results. "Excess" ballots shall not be counted in the total of "defective" ballots.

The precinct transport judges shall then examine the remaining ballots for write-in votes and shall count and tabulate the write-in vote; or

(b) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used. All ballots which are not to be tabulated on the electronic voting system shall be counted, tallied, and returned as elsewhere provided in "The Election Code," as amended, for the counting and handling of paper ballots.

All ballots to be processed and tabulated with the electronic voting system shall be processed as follows:

Immediately after the closing of the polls the absentee and early ballots delivered to the precinct judges of election by the election official in charge of the election shall be examined to determine that such ballots comply with Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9 of "The Election Code," as amended, and are entitled to be deposited in the ballot box; those entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be initialed by the precinct judges of election and deposited in the ballot box. Those not entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be marked "Rejected" and disposed of as provided in said Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9. The precinct judges of election then shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to determine that the number of ballots therein agree with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot or if the same do not agree the judges of election shall make such ballots agree with the applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of "The Election Code." The judges of election shall then examine all paper absentee and early ballots, ballot cards and ballot card envelopes which are in the ballot box to determine whether the paper ballots, ballot cards and ballot card envelopes bear the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any paper ballot, ballot card or ballot card envelope is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective," initialed as to such label by all judges immediately under such word "Defective," and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope." The judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall examine the paper absentee and early ballots which were in the ballot box and properly initialed so as to determine whether the same contain write-in votes. Write-in votes, not causing an overvote for an office otherwise voted for on the paper absentee or early ballot, and otherwise properly voted, shall be counted, tallied and recorded on the tally sheet provided for such record. A write-in vote causing an overvote for an office shall not be counted for that office, but the precinct judges shall mark such paper absentee or early ballot "Objected To" on the back thereof and write on its back the manner in which such ballot is counted and initial the same. An overvote for one office shall invalidate only the vote or count of that particular office. After counting, tallying and recording the write-in votes on absentee and early ballots, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of the remaining valid votes on each paper absentee and early ballot which was in the ballot box and properly initialed, by using the electronic voting system used in the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer the remaining valid votes of the voter on the paper absentee or early ballot to an official ballot or a ballot card of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The original paper absentee ballot shall be clearly labeled "Absentee Ballot" or "Early Ballot", as the case may be, and the ballot card so produced "Duplicate Absentee Ballot," or "Duplicate Early Ballot", as the case may be, and each shall bear the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Absentee Ballot" and "Duplicate Early Ballot" ballots or ballot cards, and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots with all other ballots or ballot cards to be counted at the central counting location in lieu of the paper absentee and early ballots. The paper absentee and early ballots shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballots."

When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot card, before separating the remaining ballot cards from their respective covering envelopes, the judges of election shall examine the ballot card envelopes for write-in votes. When the voter has voted a write-in vote, the judges of election shall compare the write-in vote with the votes on the ballot card to determine whether such write-in results in an overvote for any office. In case of an overvote for any office, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card except for the office which is overvoted, by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer all votes of the voter except for the office overvoted, to an official ballot card of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The original ballot card and envelope upon which there is an overvote shall be clearly labeled "Overvoted Ballot", and each shall bear the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Overvoted Ballot" ballot cards and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots. The "Overvoted Ballot" ballots and their envelopes shall be placed in the "Duplicate Ballots" envelope. Envelopes bearing write-in votes marked in the place designated therefor and bearing the initials of a precinct judge of election and not resulting in an overvote and otherwise complying with the election laws as to marking shall be counted, tallied, and their votes recorded on a tally sheet provided by the election official in charge of the election. The ballot cards and ballot card envelopes shall be separated and all except any defective or overvoted shall be placed separately in the box for return of the ballots, along with all "Duplicate Absentee Ballots,","Duplicate Early Ballots", and "Duplicate Overvoted Ballots." The judges of election shall examine the ballots and ballot cards to determine if any is damaged or defective so that it cannot be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment. If any ballot or ballot card is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the two major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct. The original ballot or ballot card and envelope shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot or ballot card so produced "Duplicate Damaged Ballot," and each shall bear the same number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in the precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Damaged Ballot" ballot or ballot cards, and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots. The "Damaged Ballot" ballots or ballot cards and their envelopes shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope. A slip indicating the number of voters voting in person, number of absentee votes deposited in the ballot box, and the total number of voters of the precinct who voted at the election shall be made out, signed by all judges of election, and inserted in the box for return of the ballots. The tally sheets recording the write-in votes shall be placed in this box. The judges of election thereupon immediately shall securely lock the ballot box or other suitable box furnished for return of the ballots by the election official in charge of the election; provided that if such box is not of a type which may be securely locked, such box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way. A separate adhesive seal label signed by each of the judges of election of the precinct shall be affixed to the box so as to cover any slot therein and to identify the box of the precinct; and if such box is sealed with filament tape as provided herein rather than locked, such tape shall be wrapped around the box as provided herein, but in such manner that the separate adhesive seal label affixed to the box and signed by the judges may not be removed without breaking the filament tape and disturbing the signature of the judges. Thereupon, 2 of the judges of election, of different major political parties, forthwith shall by the most direct route transport the box for return of the ballots and enclosed ballots and returns to the central counting location designated by the election official in charge of the election. If, however, because of the lack of adequate parking facilities at the central counting location or for any other reason, it is impossible or impracticable for the boxes from all the polling places to be delivered directly to the central counting location, the election official in charge of the election may designate some other location to which the boxes shall be delivered by the 2 precinct judges. While at such other location the boxes shall be in the care and custody of one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the two major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations. As soon as possible, the boxes shall be transported from such other location to the central counting location by one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations.

The "Defective Ballots" envelope, and "Duplicated Ballots" envelope each shall be securely sealed and the flap or end thereof of each signed by the precinct judges of election and returned to the central counting location with the box for return of the ballots, enclosed ballots and returns.

At the central counting location, a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall check the box returned containing the ballots to determine that all seals are intact, and thereupon shall open the box, check the voters' slip and compare the number of ballots so delivered against the total number of voters of the precinct who voted, remove the ballots or ballot cards and deliver them to the technicians operating the automatic tabulating equipment. Any discrepancies between the number of ballots and total number of voters shall be noted on a sheet furnished for that purpose and signed by the tally judges; or

(c) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used. Immediately after the closing of the polls the judges of election shall examine the absentee and early ballots received by the precinct judges of election from the election authority of voters in that precinct to determine that they comply with the provisions of Sections 19-9, 19A-55, 20-8, and 20-9 of the Election Code, as amended, and are entitled to be deposited in the ballot box; those entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be initialed by the precinct judges and deposited in the ballot box. Those not entitled to be deposited in the ballot box, in accordance with Sections 19-9, 19A-55, 20-8, and 20-9 of the Election Code, as amended, shall be marked "Rejected" and preserved in the manner provided in The Election Code for the retention and preservation of official ballots rejected at such election. Immediately upon the completion of the absentee and early balloting, the precinct judges of election shall securely lock the ballot box; provided that if such box is not of a type which may be securely locked, such box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way. A separate adhesive seal label signed by each of the judges of election of the precinct shall be affixed to the box so as to cover any slot therein and to identify the box of the precinct; and if such box is sealed with filament tape as provided herein rather than locked, such tape shall be wrapped around the box as provided herein, but in such manner that the separate adhesive seal label affixed to the box and signed by the judges may not be removed without breaking the filament tape and disturbing the signature of the judges. Thereupon, 2 of the judges of election, of different major political parties, shall forthwith by the most direct route transport the box for return of the ballots and enclosed absentee and early ballots and returns to the central counting location designated by the election official in charge of the election. If however, because of the lack of adequate parking facilities at the central counting location or for some other reason, it is impossible or impracticable for the boxes from all the polling places to be delivered directly to the central counting location, the election official in charge of the election may designate some other location to which the boxes shall be delivered by the 2 precinct judges. While at such other location the boxes shall be in the care and custody of one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the two major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations. As soon as possible, the boxes shall be transported from such other location to the central counting location by one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of the election from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations.

At the central counting location there shall be one or more teams of tally judges who possess the same qualifications as tally judges in election jurisdictions using paper ballots. The number of such teams shall be determined by the election authority. Each team shall consist of 5 tally judges, 3 selected and approved by the county board from a certified list furnished by the chairman of the county central committee of the party with the majority of members on the county board and 2 selected and approved by the county board from a certified list furnished by the chairman of the county central committee of the party with the second largest number of members on the county board. At the central counting location a team of tally judges shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to determine that the number of ballot sheets therein agree with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot and for absentee and early ballot; and, if the same do not agree, the tally judges shall make such ballots agree with the number of applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of the Election Code. The tally judges shall then examine all ballot sheets which are in the ballot box to determine whether they bear the initials of the precinct judge of election. If any ballot is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective", initialed as to such label by all tally judges immediately under such word "Defective", and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope". Write-in votes, not causing an overvote for an office otherwise voted for on the absentee and early ballot sheet, and otherwise properly voted, shall be counted, tallied and recorded by the central counting location judges on the tally sheet provided for such record. A write-in vote causing an overvote for an office shall not be counted for that office, but the tally judges shall mark such absentee ballot sheet "Objected To" on the back thereof and write on its back the manner in which such ballot is counted and initial the same. An overvote for one office shall invalidate only the vote or count of that particular office.

At the central counting location, a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall deliver the ballot sheets to the technicians operating the automatic tabulating equipment. Any discrepancies between the number of ballots and total number of voters shall be noted on a sheet furnished for that purpose and signed by the tally judges.

(2) Regardless of which procedure described in subsection (1) of this Section is used, the judges of election designated to transport the ballots, properly signed and sealed as provided herein, shall ensure that the ballots are delivered to the central counting station no later than 12 hours after the polls close. At the central counting station a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall examine the ballots so transported and shall not accept ballots for tabulating which are not signed and sealed as provided in subsection (1) of this Section until the judges transporting the same make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots by a team of tally judges at the central counting station, the election judges transporting the same shall take a receipt signed by the election official in charge of the election and stamped with the date and time of acceptance. The election judges whose duty it is to transport any ballots shall, in the event such ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.

(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-10.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-10.1)

Sec. 24A-10.1. In an election jurisdiction where in-precinct counting equipment is utilized, the following procedures for counting and tallying the ballots shall apply:

Immediately after the closing of the polls, the absentee and early ballots delivered to the precinct judges of election by the election authority shall be examined to determine that such ballots comply with Sections 19-9 and 20-9 of this Act and are entitled to be deposited in the ballot box; those entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be initialed by the precinct judges of election and deposited in the ballot box. Those not entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be marked "Rejected" and disposed of as provided in said Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9.

The precinct judges of election shall open the ballot box and count the number of ballots therein to determine if such number agrees with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot or, if the same do not agree, the judges of election shall make such ballots agree with the applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Act. The judges of election shall then examine all ballot cards and ballot card envelopes which are in the ballot box to determine whether the ballot cards and ballot card envelopes contain the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any ballot card or ballot card envelope is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective", initialed as to such label by all judges immediately under the word "Defective" and not counted. The judges of election shall place an initialed blank official ballot card in the place of the defective ballot card, so that the count of the ballot cards to be counted on the automatic tabulating equipment will be the same, and each "Defective Ballot" card and "Replacement" card shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The original "Defective" card shall be placed in the "Defective Ballot Envelope" provided for that purpose.

When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot card, before separating the remaining ballot cards from their respective covering envelopes, the judges of election shall examine the ballot card envelopes for write-in votes. When the voter has cast a write-in vote, the judges of election shall compare the write-in vote with the votes on the ballot card to determine whether such write-in results in an overvote for any office. In case of an overvote for any office, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card except for the office which is overvoted, by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct so as to transfer all votes of the voter, except for the office overvoted, to a duplicate card. The original ballot card and envelope upon which there is an overvote shall be clearly labeled "Overvoted Ballot", and each such "Overvoted Ballot" as well as its "Replacement" shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The "Overvoted Ballot" card and ballot envelope shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballot" envelope, and the judges of election shall initial the "Replacement" ballot cards and shall place them with the other ballot cards to be counted on the automatic tabulating equipment. Envelopes containing write-in votes marked in the place designated therefor and containing the initials of a precinct judge of election and not resulting in an overvote and otherwise complying with the election laws as to marking shall be counted and tallied and their votes recorded on a tally sheet provided by the election authority.

The ballot cards and ballot card envelopes shall be separated in preparation for counting by the automatic tabulating equipment provided for that purpose by the election authority.

Before the ballots are entered into the automatic tabulating equipment, a precinct identification card provided by the election authority shall be entered into the device to ensure that the totals are all zeroes in the count column on the printing unit. A precinct judge of election shall then count the ballots by entering each ballot card into the automatic tabulating equipment, and if any ballot or ballot card is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot card by using the ballot label booklet of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct. The original ballot or ballot card and envelope shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot or ballot card so produced shall be clearly labeled "Duplicate Damaged Ballot", and each shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in the precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Damaged Ballot" ballot or ballot cards and shall enter the duplicate damaged cards into the automatic tabulating equipment. The "Damaged Ballot" cards shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope; after all ballot cards have been successfully read, the judges of election shall check to make certain that the last number printed by the printing unit is the same as the number of voters making application for ballot in that precinct. The number shall be listed on the "Statement of Ballots" form provided by the election authority.

The totals for all candidates and propositions shall be tabulated; 4 sets shall be attached to the 4 sets of "Certificate of Results" provided by the election authority; one set shall be posted in a conspicuous place inside the polling place; and every effort shall be made by the judges of election to provide a set for each authorized pollwatcher or other official authorized to be present in the polling place to observe the counting of ballots; but in no case shall the number of sets to be made available to pollwatchers be fewer than 4, chosen by lot by the judges of election. In addition, sufficient time shall be provided by the judges of election to the pollwatchers to allow them to copy information from the set which has been posted.

The judges of election shall count all unused ballot cards and enter the number on the "Statement of Ballots". All "Spoiled", "Defective" and "Duplicated" ballot cards shall be counted and the number entered on the "Statement of Ballots".

The precinct judges of election shall select a bi-partisan team of 2 judges, who shall immediately return the ballots in a sealed container, along with all other election materials as instructed by the election authority; provided, however, that such container must first be sealed by the election judges with filament tape provided for such purpose which shall be wrapped around the container lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, in such manner that the ballots cannot be removed from such container without breaking the seal and filament tape and disturbing any signatures affixed by the election judges to the container. The election authority shall keep the office of the election authority, or any receiving stations designated by such authority, open for at least 12 consecutive hours after the polls close or until the ballots from all precincts with in-precinct counting equipment within the jurisdiction of the election authority have been returned to the election authority. Ballots returned to the office of the election authority which are not signed and sealed as required by law shall not be accepted by the election authority until the judges returning the same make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots by the election authority, the judges returning the same shall take a receipt signed by the election authority and stamped with the time and date of such return. The election judges whose duty it is to return any ballots as herein provided shall, in the event such ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.

(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-15.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 24A-15.1)

Sec. 24A-15.1. Except as herein provided, discovery recounts and election contests shall be conducted as otherwise provided for in "The Election Code", as amended. The automatic tabulating equipment shall be tested prior to the discovery recount or election contest as provided in Section 24A-9, and then the official ballots or ballot cards shall be recounted on the automatic tabulating equipment. In addition, (1) the ballot or ballot cards shall be checked for the presence or absence of judges' initials and other distinguishing marks, and (2) the ballots marked "Rejected", "Defective", Objected to", and "Absentee Ballot", and "Early Ballot" shall be examined to determine the propriety of the such labels, and (3) the "Duplicate Absentee Ballots", "Duplicate Early Ballots", "Duplicate Overvoted Ballots" and "Duplicate Damaged Ballots" shall be compared with their respective originals to determine the correctness of the duplicates.

Any person who has filed a petition for discovery recount may request that a redundant count be conducted in those precincts in which the discovery recount is being conducted. The additional costs of such a redundant count shall be borne by the requesting party.

The log of the computer operator and all materials retained by the election authority in relation to vote tabulation and canvass shall be made available for any discovery recount or election contest.

(Source: P.A. 82-1014.)

(10 ILCS 5/24A-22)

Sec. 24A-22. Definition of a vote.

(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the purpose of this Article, a person casts a valid vote on a punch card ballot when:

(1) A chad on the card has at least one corner detached from the card;

(2) The fibers of paper on at least one edge of the chad are broken in a way that permits unimpeded light to be seen through the card; or

(3) An indentation on the chad from the stylus or other object is present and indicates a clearly ascertainable intent of the voter to vote based on the totality of the circumstances, including but not limited to any pattern or frequency of indentations on other ballot positions from the same ballot card.

(b) Write-in votes shall be counted in a manner consistent with the existing provisions of this Code.

(c) For purposes of this Section, a "chad" is that portion of a ballot card that a voter punches or perforates with a stylus or other designated marking device to manifest his or her vote for a particular ballot position on a ballot card as defined in subsection (a). Chads shall be removed from ballot cards prior to their processing and tabulation in election jurisdictions that utilize a ballot card as a means of recording votes at an election. Election jurisdictions that utilize a mechanical means or device for chad removal as a component of their tabulation shall use that means or device for chad removal.

(d) Prior to the original counting of any punch card ballots, an election judge may not alter a punch card ballot in any manner, including, but not limited to, the removal or manipulation of chads.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/24B-10)

Sec. 24B-10. Receiving, Counting, Tallying and Return of Ballots; Acceptance of Ballots by Election Authority.

(a) In an election jurisdiction which has adopted an electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system, the election official in charge of the election shall select one of the 3 following procedures for receiving, counting, tallying, and return of the ballots:

(1) Two ballot boxes shall be provided for each polling place. The first ballot box is for the depositing of votes cast on the electronic voting system; and the second ballot box is for all votes cast on other ballots, including absentee paper and early paper ballots and any other paper ballots required to be voted other than on the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology electronic voting system. Ballots, except absentee and early ballots for candidates and propositions which are listed on the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology electronic voting system, deposited in the second ballot box shall be counted, tallied, and returned as is elsewhere provided in this Code for the counting and handling of paper ballots. Immediately after the closing of the polls the absentee and early ballots delivered to the precinct judges of election by the election official in charge of the election shall be examined to determine that the ballots comply with Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9 of this Code and are entitled to be inserted into the counting equipment and deposited into the ballot box provided; those entitled to be deposited in this ballot box shall be initialed by the precinct judges of election and deposited. Those not entitled to be deposited in this ballot box shall be marked "Rejected" and disposed of as provided in Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9. The precinct judges of election shall then open the second ballot box and examine all paper absentee and early ballots which are in the ballot box to determine whether the absentee or early ballots bear the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any absentee or early ballot is not so initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective", initialed as to the label by all judges immediately under the word "Defective", and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope". The judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall examine the paper absentee and early ballots which were in such ballot box and properly initialed to determine whether the same contain write-in votes. Write-in votes, not causing an overvote for an office otherwise voted for on the paper absentee or early ballot, and otherwise properly voted, shall be counted, tallied and recorded on the tally sheet provided for the record. A write-in vote causing an overvote for an office shall not be counted for that office, but the precinct judges shall mark such paper absentee or early ballot "Objected To" on the back and write on its back the manner in which the ballot is counted and initial the same. An overvote for one office shall invalidate only the vote or count of that particular office. After counting, tallying and recording the write-in votes on absentee and early ballots, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of the remaining valid votes on each paper absentee and early ballot which was in the ballot box and properly initialed, by using the electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system used in the precinct and one of the marking devices, or equivalent marking device or equivalent ballot, of the precinct to transfer the remaining valid votes of the voter on the paper absentee or early ballot to an official ballot or a ballot card of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The original paper absentee ballot shall be clearly labeled "Absentee Ballot" or "Early Ballot", as the case may be, and the ballot card so produced "Duplicate Absentee Ballot" or "Duplicate Early Ballot", as the case may be, and each shall bear the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, beginning with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Absentee Ballot" and "Duplicate Early Ballot" ballots and shall place them in the first ballot box provided for return of the ballots to be counted at the central counting location in lieu of the paper absentee and early ballots. The paper absentee and early ballots shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballots".

As soon as the absentee and early ballots have been deposited in the first ballot box, the judges of election shall make out a slip indicating the number of persons who voted in the precinct at the election. The slip shall be signed by all the judges of election and shall be inserted by them in the first ballot box. The judges of election shall thereupon immediately lock the first ballot box; provided, that if the box is not of a type which may be securely locked, the box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for the purpose that shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, and in a manner that the seal completely covers the slot in the ballot box, and each of the judges shall sign the seal. Two of the judges of election, of different political parties, shall by the most direct route transport both ballot boxes to the counting location designated by the county clerk or board of election commissioners.

Before the ballots of a precinct are fed to the electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment, the first ballot box shall be opened at the central counting station by the 2 precinct transport judges. Upon opening a ballot box, the team shall first count the number of ballots in the box. If 2 or more are folded together to appear to have been cast by the same person, all of the ballots folded together shall be marked and returned with the other ballots in the same condition, as near as may be, in which they were found when first opened, but shall not be counted. If the remaining ballots are found to exceed the number of persons voting in the precinct as shown by the slip signed by the judges of election, the ballots shall be replaced in the box, and the box closed and well shaken and again opened and one of the precinct transport judges shall publicly draw out so many ballots unopened as are equal to the excess.

The excess ballots shall be marked "Excess-Not Counted" and signed by the 2 precinct transport judges and shall be placed in the "After 7:00 p.m. Defective Ballots Envelope". The number of excess ballots shall be noted in the remarks section of the Certificate of Results. "Excess" ballots shall not be counted in the total of "defective" ballots.

The precinct transport judges shall then examine the remaining ballots for write-in votes and shall count and tabulate the write-in vote.

(2) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used. All ballots which are not to be tabulated on the electronic voting system shall be counted, tallied, and returned as elsewhere provided in this Code for the counting and handling of paper ballots.

All ballots to be processed and tabulated with the electronic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting system shall be processed as follows:

Immediately after the closing of the polls the absentee and early ballots delivered to the precinct judges of election by the election official in charge of the election shall be examined to determine that such ballots comply with Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9 of this Code and are entitled to be deposited in the ballot box; those entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be initialed by the precinct judges of election and deposited in the ballot box. Those not entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be marked "Rejected" and disposed of as provided in Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9. The precinct judges of election then shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to determine that the number of ballots agree with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot, or if the same do not agree the judges of election shall make such ballots agree with the applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Code. The judges of election shall then examine all paper absentee and early ballots and ballot envelopes which are in the ballot box to determine whether the ballots and ballot envelopes bear the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any ballot or ballot envelope is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective", initialed as to the label by all judges immediately under the word "Defective", and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope". The judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall examine the paper absentee and early ballots which were in the ballot box and properly initialed to determine whether the same contain write-in votes. Write-in votes, not causing an overvote for an office otherwise voted for on the paper absentee or early ballot, and otherwise properly voted, shall be counted, tallied and recorded on the tally sheet provided for the record. A write-in vote causing an overvote for an office shall not be counted for that office, but the precinct judges shall mark the paper absentee or early ballot "Objected To" on the back and write on its back the manner the ballot is counted and initial the same. An overvote for one office shall invalidate only the vote or count of that particular office. After counting, tallying and recording the write-in votes on absentee and early ballots, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of the remaining valid votes on each paper absentee and early ballot which was in the ballot box and properly initialed, by using the electronic voting system used in the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct to transfer the remaining valid votes of the voter on the paper absentee or early ballot to an official ballot of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The original paper absentee or early ballot shall be clearly labeled "Absentee Ballot" or "Early Ballot", as the case may be, and the ballot so produced "Duplicate Absentee Ballot" or "Duplicate Early Ballot", as the case may be, and each shall bear the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Absentee Ballot" and "Duplicate Early Ballot" ballots and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots with all other ballots to be counted at the central counting location in lieu of the paper absentee and early ballots. The paper absentee ballots shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballots".

In case of an overvote for any office, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on the ballot except for the office which is overvoted, by using the ballot of the precinct and one of the marking devices, or equivalent ballot, of the precinct to transfer all votes of the voter except for the office overvoted, to an official ballot of that kind used in the precinct at that election. The original ballot upon which there is an overvote shall be clearly labeled "Overvoted Ballot", and each shall bear the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, beginning with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Overvoted Ballot" ballots and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots. The "Overvoted Ballot" ballots shall be placed in the "Duplicate Ballots" envelope. The ballots except any defective or overvoted ballot shall be placed separately in the box for return of the ballots, along with all "Duplicate Absentee Ballots", "Duplicate Early Ballots", and "Duplicate Overvoted Ballots". The judges of election shall examine the ballots to determine if any is damaged or defective so that it cannot be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment. If any ballot is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot by using the ballot of the precinct and one of the marking devices, or equivalent ballot, of the precinct. The original ballot and ballot envelope shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot so produced "Duplicate Damaged Ballot", and each shall bear the same number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, commencing with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in the precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Damaged Ballot" ballot and shall place them in the box for return of the ballots. The "Damaged Ballot" ballots shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope. A slip indicating the number of voters voting in person, number of absentee and early votes deposited in the ballot box, and the total number of voters of the precinct who voted at the election shall be made out, signed by all judges of election, and inserted in the box for return of the ballots. The tally sheets recording the write-in votes shall be placed in this box. The judges of election immediately shall securely lock the ballot box or other suitable box furnished for return of the ballots by the election official in charge of the election; provided that if the box is not of a type which may be securely locked, the box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for the purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way. A separate adhesive seal label signed by each of the judges of election of the precinct shall be affixed to the box to cover any slot therein and to identify the box of the precinct; and if the box is sealed with filament tape as provided rather than locked, such tape shall be wrapped around the box as provided, but in such manner that the separate adhesive seal label affixed to the box and signed by the judges may not be removed without breaking the filament tape and disturbing the signature of the judges. Two of the judges of election, of different major political parties, shall by the most direct route transport the box for return of the ballots and enclosed ballots and returns to the central counting location designated by the election official in charge of the election. If, however, because of the lack of adequate parking facilities at the central counting location or for any other reason, it is impossible or impracticable for the boxes from all the polling places to be delivered directly to the central counting location, the election official in charge of the election may designate some other location to which the boxes shall be delivered by the 2 precinct judges. While at the other location the boxes shall be in the care and custody of one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for such purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations. As soon as possible, the boxes shall be transported from the other location to the central counting location by one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for the purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations.

The "Defective Ballots" envelope, and "Duplicated Ballots" envelope each shall be securely sealed and the flap or end of each envelope signed by the precinct judges of election and returned to the central counting location with the box for return of the ballots, enclosed ballots and returns.

At the central counting location, a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall check the box returned containing the ballots to determine that all seals are intact, and shall open the box, check the voters' slip and compare the number of ballots so delivered against the total number of voters of the precinct who voted, remove the ballots and deliver them to the technicians operating the automatic tabulating equipment. Any discrepancies between the number of ballots and total number of voters shall be noted on a sheet furnished for that purpose and signed by the tally judges.

(3) A single ballot box, for the deposit of all votes cast, shall be used. Immediately after the closing of the polls the judges of election shall examine the absentee and early ballots received by the precinct judges of election from the election authority of voters in that precinct to determine that they comply with the provisions of Sections 19-9, 19A-55, 20-8, and 20-9 of this Code and are entitled to be deposited in the ballot box; those entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be initialed by the precinct judges and deposited in the ballot box. Those not entitled to be deposited in the ballot box, in accordance with Sections 19-9, 19A-55, 20-8, and 20-9 of this Code shall be marked "Rejected" and preserved in the manner provided in this Code for the retention and preservation of official ballots rejected at such election. Immediately upon the completion of the absentee and early balloting, the precinct judges of election shall securely lock the ballot box; provided that if such box is not of a type which may be securely locked, the box shall be sealed with filament tape provided for the purpose which shall be wrapped around the box lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way. A separate adhesive seal label signed by each of the judges of election of the precinct shall be affixed to the box to cover any slot therein and to identify the box of the precinct; and if the box is sealed with filament tape as provided rather than locked, such tape shall be wrapped around the box as provided, but in a manner that the separate adhesive seal label affixed to the box and signed by the judges may not be removed without breaking the filament tape and disturbing the signature of the judges. Two of the judges of election, of different major political parties, shall by the most direct route transport the box for return of the ballots and enclosed absentee and early ballots and returns to the central counting location designated by the election official in charge of the election. If however, because of the lack of adequate parking facilities at the central counting location or for some other reason, it is impossible or impracticable for the boxes from all the polling places to be delivered directly to the central counting location, the election official in charge of the election may designate some other location to which the boxes shall be delivered by the 2 precinct judges. While at the other location the boxes shall be in the care and custody of one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for the purpose by the election official in charge of elections from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations. As soon as possible, the boxes shall be transported from the other location to the central counting location by one or more teams, each consisting of 4 persons, 2 from each of the 2 major political parties, designated for the purpose by the election official in charge of the election from recommendations by the appropriate political party organizations.

At the central counting location there shall be one or more teams of tally judges who possess the same qualifications as tally judges in election jurisdictions using paper ballots. The number of the teams shall be determined by the election authority. Each team shall consist of 5 tally judges, 3 selected and approved by the county board from a certified list furnished by the chairman of the county central committee of the party with the majority of members on the county board and 2 selected and approved by the county board from a certified list furnished by the chairman of the county central committee of the party with the second largest number of members on the county board. At the central counting location a team of tally judges shall open the ballot box and canvass the votes polled to determine that the number of ballot sheets therein agree with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot and for absentee and early ballot; and, if the same do not agree, the tally judges shall make such ballots agree with the number of applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Code. The tally judges shall then examine all ballot sheets that are in the ballot box to determine whether they bear the initials of the precinct judge of election. If any ballot is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective", initialed as to that label by all tally judges immediately under the word "Defective", and not counted, but placed in the envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Defective Ballots Envelope". Write-in votes, not causing an overvote for an office otherwise voted for on the absentee or early ballot sheet, and otherwise properly voted, shall be counted, tallied, and recorded by the central counting location judges on the tally sheet provided for the record. A write-in vote causing an overvote for an office shall not be counted for that office, but the tally judges shall mark the absentee or early ballot sheet "Objected To" and write the manner in which the ballot is counted on its back and initial the sheet. An overvote for one office shall invalidate only the vote or count for that particular office.

At the central counting location, a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall deliver the ballot sheets to the technicians operating the automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment. Any discrepancies between the number of ballots and total number of voters shall be noted on a sheet furnished for that purpose and signed by the tally judges.

(b) Regardless of which procedure described in subsection (a) of this Section is used, the judges of election designated to transport the ballots properly signed and sealed, shall ensure that the ballots are delivered to the central counting station no later than 12 hours after the polls close. At the central counting station, a team of tally judges designated by the election official in charge of the election shall examine the ballots so transported and shall not accept ballots for tabulating which are not signed and sealed as provided in subsection (a) of this Section until the judges transporting the ballots make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots by a team of tally judges at the central counting station, the election judges transporting the ballots shall take a receipt signed by the election official in charge of the election and stamped with the date and time of acceptance. The election judges whose duty it is to transport any ballots shall, in the event the ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/24B-10.1)

Sec. 24B-10.1. In-Precinct Counting Equipment; Procedures for Counting and Tallying Ballots. In an election jurisdiction where Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology counting equipment is used, the following procedures for counting and tallying the ballots shall apply:

Before the opening of the polls, and before the ballots are entered into the automatic tabulating equipment, the judges of election shall be sure that the totals are all zeros in the counting column. Ballots may then be counted by entering or scanning each ballot into the automatic tabulating equipment. Throughout the election day and before the closing of the polls, no person may check any vote totals for any candidate or proposition on the automatic tabulating equipment. Such automatic tabulating equipment shall be programmed so that no person may reset the equipment for refeeding of ballots unless provided a code from an authorized representative of the election authority. At the option of the election authority, the ballots may be fed into the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment by the voters under the direct supervision of the judges of elections.

Immediately after the closing of the polls, the absentee or early ballots delivered to the precinct judges of election by the election authority shall be examined to determine that the ballots comply with Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9 of this Code and are entitled to be scanned by the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment and then deposited in the ballot box; those entitled to be scanned and deposited in the ballot box shall be initialed by the precinct judges of election and then scanned and deposited in the ballot box. Those not entitled to be deposited in the ballot box shall be marked "Rejected" and disposed of as provided in said Sections 19-9, 19A-55, and 20-9.

The precinct judges of election shall open the ballot box and count the number of ballots to determine if the number agrees with the number of voters voting as shown on the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment and by the applications for ballot or, if the same do not agree, the judges of election shall make the ballots agree with the applications for ballot in the manner provided by Section 17-18 of this Code. The judges of election shall then examine all ballots which are in the ballot box to determine whether the ballots contain the initials of a precinct judge of election. If any ballot is not initialed, it shall be marked on the back "Defective", initialed as to such label by all judges immediately under the word "Defective" and not counted. The judges of election shall place an initialed blank official ballot in the place of the defective ballot, so that the count of the ballots to be counted on the automatic tabulating equipment will be the same, and each "Defective Ballot" and "Replacement" ballot shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, beginning with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The original "Defective" ballot shall be placed in the "Defective Ballot Envelope" provided for that purpose.

If the judges of election have removed a ballot pursuant to Section 17-18, have labeled "Defective" a ballot which is not initialed, or have otherwise determined under this Code to not count a ballot originally deposited into a ballot box, the judges of election shall be sure that the totals on the automatic tabulating equipment are reset to all zeros in the counting column. Thereafter the judges of election shall enter or otherwise scan each ballot to be counted in the automatic tabulating equipment. Resetting the automatic tabulating equipment to all zeros and re-entering of ballots to be counted may occur at the precinct polling place, the office of the election authority, or any receiving station designated by the election authority. The election authority shall designate the place for resetting and re-entering or re-scanning.

When a Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology electronic voting system is used which uses a paper ballot, the judges of election shall examine the ballot for write-in votes. When the voter has cast a write-in vote, the judges of election shall compare the write-in vote with the votes on the ballot to determine whether the write-in results in an overvote for any office, unless the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment has already done so. In case of an overvote for any office, the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot except for the office which is overvoted, by using the ballot of the precinct and one of the marking devices, or equivalent ballot, of the precinct so as to transfer all votes of the voter, except for the office overvoted, to a duplicate ballot. The original ballot upon which there is an overvote shall be clearly labeled "Overvoted Ballot", and each such "Overvoted Ballot" as well as its "Replacement" shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed thereon by the judges of election, beginning with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in that precinct. The "Overvoted Ballot" shall be placed in an envelope provided for that purpose labeled "Duplicate Ballot" envelope, and the judges of election shall initial the "Replacement" ballots and shall place them with the other ballots to be counted on the automatic tabulating equipment.

If any ballot is damaged or defective, or if any ballot contains a Voting Defect, so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic tabulating equipment, the voter or the judges of election, consisting in each case of at least one judge of election of each of the 2 major political parties, shall make a true duplicate ballot of all votes on such ballot by using the ballot of the precinct and one of the marking devices of the precinct, or equivalent. If a damaged ballot, the original ballot shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot so produced shall be clearly labeled "Damaged Ballot" and the ballot so produced shall be clearly labeled "Duplicate Damaged Ballot", and each shall contain the same serial number which shall be placed by the judges of election, beginning with number 1 and continuing consecutively for the ballots of that kind in the precinct. The judges of election shall initial the "Duplicate Damaged Ballot" ballot and shall enter or otherwise scan the duplicate damaged ballot into the automatic tabulating equipment. The "Damaged Ballots" shall be placed in the "Duplicated Ballots" envelope; after all ballots have been successfully read, the judges of election shall check to make certain that the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment readout agrees with the number of voters making application for ballot in that precinct. The number shall be listed on the "Statement of Ballots" form provided by the election authority.

The totals for all candidates and propositions shall be tabulated; and 4 copies of a "Certificate of Results" shall be generated by the automatic tabulating equipment; one copy shall be posted in a conspicuous place inside the polling place; and every effort shall be made by the judges of election to provide a copy for each authorized pollwatcher or other official authorized to be present in the polling place to observe the counting of ballots; but in no case shall the number of copies to be made available to pollwatchers be fewer than 4, chosen by lot by the judges of election. In addition, sufficient time shall be provided by the judges of election to the pollwatchers to allow them to copy information from the copy which has been posted.

The judges of election shall count all unused ballots and enter the number on the "Statement of Ballots". All "Spoiled", "Defective" and "Duplicated" ballots shall be counted and the number entered on the "Statement of Ballots".

The precinct judges of election shall select a bi-partisan team of 2 judges, who shall immediately return the ballots in a sealed container, along with all other election materials as instructed by the election authority; provided, however, that such container must first be sealed by the election judges with filament tape or other approved sealing devices provided for the purpose which shall be wrapped around the container lengthwise and crosswise, at least twice each way, in a manner that the ballots cannot be removed from the container without breaking the seal and filament tape and disturbing any signatures affixed by the election judges to the container, or which other approved sealing devices are affixed in a manner approved by the election authority. The election authority shall keep the office of the election authority or any receiving stations designated by the authority, open for at least 12 consecutive hours after the polls close or until the ballots from all precincts with in-precinct counting equipment within the jurisdiction of the election authority have been returned to the election authority. Ballots returned to the office of the election authority which are not signed and sealed as required by law shall not be accepted by the election authority until the judges returning the ballots make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots by the election authority, the judges returning the ballots shall take a receipt signed by the election authority and stamped with the time and date of the return. The election judges whose duty it is to return any ballots as provided shall, in the event the ballots cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided. The precinct judges of election shall also deliver the Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology equipment to the election authority.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/24B-15.1)

Sec. 24B-15.1. Discovery, recounts and election contests.

Except as provided, discovery recounts and election contests shall be conducted as otherwise provided for in this Code. The automatic Precinct Tabulation Optical Scan Technology tabulating equipment shall be tested prior to the discovery recount or election contest as provided in Section 24B-9, and then the official ballots shall be recounted on the automatic tabulating equipment. In addition, (a) the ballots shall be checked for the presence or absence of judges' initials and other distinguishing marks, and (b) the ballots marked "Rejected", "Defective", "Objected To", "Early Ballot", and "Absentee Ballot" shall be examined to determine the propriety of the labels, and (c) the "Duplicate Absentee Ballots", "Duplicate Overvoted Ballots", "Duplicate Early Ballot", and "Duplicate Damaged Ballots" shall be compared with their respective originals to determine the correctness of the duplicates.

Any person who has filed a petition for discovery recount may request that a redundant count be conducted in those precincts in which the discovery recount is being conducted. The additional costs of a redundant count shall be borne by the requesting party.

The log of the computer operator and all materials retained by the election authority in relation to vote tabulation and canvass shall be made available for any discovery recount or election contest.

(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)

(10 ILCS 5/24C-2)

Sec. 24C-2. Definitions. As used in this Article:

"Audit trail" or "audit capacity" means a continuous trail of evidence linking individual transactions related to the casting of a vote, the vote count and the summary record of vote totals, but which shall not allow for the identification of the voter. It shall permit verification of the accuracy of the count and detection and correction of problems and shall provide a record of each step taken in: defining and producing ballots and generating related software for specific elections; installing ballots and software; testing system readiness; casting and tabulating ballots; and producing images of votes cast and reports of vote totals. The record shall incorporate system status and error messages generated during election processing, including a log of machine activities and routine and unusual intervention by authorized and unauthorized individuals. Also part of an audit trail is the documentation of such items as ballots delivered and collected, administrative procedures for system security, pre-election testing of voting systems, and maintenance performed on voting equipment. All test plans, test results, documentation, and other records used to plan, execute, and record the results of the testing and verification, including all material prepared or used by independent testing authorities or other third parties, shall be made part of the public record and shall be freely available via the Internet and paper copy to anyone. "Audit trail" or "audit capacity" It also means that the voting system is capable of producing and shall produce immediately after a ballot is cast a permanent paper record of each ballot cast that shall be available as an official record for any recount, redundant count, or verification or retabulation of the vote count conducted with respect to any election in which the voting system is used.

"Ballot" means an electronic audio or video display or any other medium, including paper, used to record a voter's choices for the candidates of their preference and for or against public questions.

"Ballot configuration" means the particular combination of political subdivision or district ballots including, for each political subdivision or district, the particular combination of offices, candidate names and public questions as it appears for each group of voters who may cast the same ballot.

"Ballot image" means a corresponding representation in electronic or paper form of the mark or vote position of a ballot.

"Ballot label" or "ballot screen" means the display of material containing the names of offices and candidates and public questions to be voted on.

"Central counting" means the counting of ballots in one or more locations selected by the election authority for the processing or counting, or both, of ballots. A location for central counting shall be within the territorial jurisdiction of the election authority unless there is no suitable tabulating equipment available within his territorial jurisdiction. However, in any event a counting location shall be within this State.

"Computer", "automatic tabulating equipment" or "equipment" includes apparatus necessary to automatically examine and count votes as designated on ballots, and data processing machines which can be used for counting ballots and tabulating results.

"Computer operator" means any person or persons designated by the election authority to operate the automatic tabulating equipment during any portion of the vote tallying process in an election, but shall not include judges of election operating vote tabulating equipment in the precinct.

"Computer program" or "program" means the set of operating instructions for the automatic tabulating equipment that examines, records, displays, counts, tabulates, canvasses, or and prints votes recorded by a voter on a ballot or that displays any and all information, graphics, or other visual or audio information or images used in presenting voting information, instructions, or voter choices.

"Direct recording electronic voting system", "voting system" or "system" means the total combination of mechanical, electromechanical or electronic equipment, programs and practices used to define ballots, cast and count votes, report or display election results, maintain or produce any audit trail information, identify all system components, test the system during development, maintenance and operation, maintain records of system errors and defects, determine specific system changes to be made to a system after initial qualification, and make available any materials to the voter such as notices, instructions, forms or paper ballots.

"Edit listing" means a computer generated listing of the names of each candidate and public question as they appear in the program for each precinct.

"In-precinct counting" means the recording and counting of ballots on automatic tabulating equipment provided by the election authority in the same precinct polling place in which those ballots have been cast.

"Marking device" means any device approved by the State Board of Elections for marking a ballot so as to enable the ballot to be recorded, counted and tabulated by automatic tabulating equipment.

"Permanent paper record" means a paper record upon which shall be printed in human readable form the votes cast for each candidate and for or against each public question on each ballot recorded in the voting system. Each permanent paper record shall be printed by the voting device upon activation of the marking device by the voter and shall contain a unique, randomly assigned identifying number that shall correspond to the number randomly assigned by the voting system to each ballot as it is electronically recorded.

"Redundant count" means a verification of the original computer count of ballots by another count using compatible equipment or other means as part of a discovery recount, including a count of the permanent paper record of each ballot cast by using compatible equipment, different equipment approved by the State Board of Elections for that purpose, or by hand.

"Separate ballot" means a separate page or display screen of the ballot that is clearly defined and distinguishable from other portions of the ballot.

"Voting device" or "voting machine" means an apparatus that contains the ballot label or ballot screen and allows the voter to record his or her vote.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/24C-12)

Sec. 24C-12. Procedures for Counting and Tallying of Ballots.

In an election jurisdiction where a Direct Recording Electronic Voting System is used, the following procedures for counting and tallying the ballots shall apply:

Before the opening of the polls, the judges of elections shall assemble the voting equipment and devices and turn the equipment on. The judges shall, if necessary, take steps to activate the voting devices and counting equipment by inserting into the equipment and voting devices appropriate data cards containing passwords and data codes that will select the proper ballot formats selected for that polling place and that will prevent inadvertent or unauthorized activation of the poll-opening function. Before voting begins and before ballots are entered into the voting devices, the judges of election shall cause to be printed a record of the following: the election's identification data, the device's unit identification, the ballot's format identification, the contents of each active candidate register by office and of each active public question register showing that they contain all zero votes, all ballot fields that can be used to invoke special voting options, and other information needed to ensure the readiness of the equipment and to accommodate administrative reporting requirements. The judges must also check to be sure that the totals are all zeros in the counting columns and in the public counter affixed to the voting devices.

After the judges have determined that a person is qualified to vote, a voting device with the proper ballot to which the voter is entitled shall be enabled to be used by the voter. The ballot may then be cast by the voter by marking by appropriate means the designated area of the ballot for the casting of a vote for any candidate or for or against any public question. The voter shall be able to vote for any and all candidates and public measures appearing on the ballot in any legal number and combination and the voter shall be able to delete, change or correct his or her selections before the ballot is cast. The voter shall be able to select candidates whose names do not appear upon the ballot for any office by entering electronically as many names of candidates as the voter is entitled to select for each office.

Upon completing his or her selection of candidates or public questions, the voter shall signify that voting has been completed by activating the appropriate button, switch or active area of the ballot screen associated with end of voting. Upon activation, the voting system shall record an image of the completed ballot, increment the proper ballot position registers, and shall signify to the voter that the ballot has been cast. Upon activation, the voting system shall also print a permanent paper record of each ballot cast as defined in Section 24C-2 of this Code. This permanent paper record shall (i) be printed in a clear, readily readable format that can be easily reviewed by the voter for completeness and accuracy and (ii) either be self-contained within the voting device or shall be deposited by the voter into a secure ballot box. No permanent paper record shall be removed from the polling place except by election officials as authorized by this Article. All permanent paper records shall be preserved and secured by election officials in the same manner as paper ballots and shall be available as an official record for any recount, redundant count, or verification or retabulation of the vote count conducted with respect to any election in which the voting system is used. The voter shall exit the voting station and the voting system shall prevent any further attempt to vote until it has been properly re-activated. If a voting device has been enabled for voting but the voter leaves the polling place without casting a ballot, 2 judges of election, one from each of the 2 major political parties, shall spoil the ballot.

Throughout the election day and before the closing of the polls, no person may check any vote totals for any candidate or public question on the voting or counting equipment. Such equipment shall be programmed so that no person may reset the equipment for reentry of ballots unless provided the proper code from an authorized representative of the election authority.

The precinct judges of election shall check the public register to determine whether the number of ballots counted by the voting equipment agrees with the number of voters voting as shown by the applications for ballot. If the same do not agree, the judges of election shall immediately contact the offices of the election authority in charge of the election for further instructions. If the number of ballots counted by the voting equipment agrees with the number of voters voting as shown by the application for ballot, the number shall be listed on the "Statement of Ballots" form provided by the election authority.

The totals for all candidates and propositions shall be tabulated; and 4 copies of a "Certificate of Results" shall be printed by the automatic tabulating equipment; one copy shall be posted in a conspicuous place inside the polling place; and every effort shall be made by the judges of election to provide a copy for each authorized pollwatcher or other official authorized to be present in the polling place to observe the counting of ballots; but in no case shall the number of copies to be made available to pollwatchers be fewer than 4, chosen by lot by the judges of election. In addition, sufficient time shall be provided by the judges of election to the pollwatchers to allow them to copy information from the copy which has been posted.

If instructed by the election authority, the judges of election shall cause the tabulated returns to be transmitted electronically to the offices of the election authority via modem or other electronic medium.

The precinct judges of election shall select a bi-partisan team of 2 judges, who shall immediately return the ballots in a sealed container, along with all other election materials and equipment as instructed by the election authority; provided, however, that such container must first be sealed by the election judges with filament tape or other approved sealing devices provided for the purpose in a manner that the ballots cannot be removed from the container without breaking the seal or filament tape and disturbing any signatures affixed by the election judges to the container. The election authority shall keep the office of the election authority, or any receiving stations designated by the authority, open for at least 12 consecutive hours after the polls close or until the ballots and election material and equipment from all precincts within the jurisdiction of the election authority have been returned to the election authority. Ballots and election materials and equipment returned to the office of the election authority which are not signed and sealed as required by law shall not be accepted by the election authority until the judges returning the ballots make and sign the necessary corrections. Upon acceptance of the ballots and election materials and equipment by the election authority, the judges returning the ballots shall take a receipt signed by the election authority and stamped with the time and date of the return. The election judges whose duty it is to return any ballots and election materials and equipment as provided shall, in the event the ballots, materials or equipment cannot be found when needed, on proper request, produce the receipt which they are to take as above provided.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/24C-13)

Sec. 24C-13. Absentee ballots; Early voting ballots; Proceedings at Location for Central Counting; Employees; Approval of List.

(a) All jurisdictions using Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems shall use paper ballots or paper ballot sheets approved for use under Articles 16, 24A or 24B of this Code when conducting absentee voting except that Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems may be used for in-person absentee voting conducted pursuant to Section 19-2.1 of this Code. All absentee ballots shall be counted at the office of the election authority. The provisions of Section 24A-9, 24B-9 and 24C-9 of this Code shall apply to the testing and notice requirements for central count tabulation equipment, including comparing the signature on the ballot envelope with the signature of the voter on the permanent voter registration record card taken from the master file. Absentee ballots other than absentee ballots voted in person pursuant to Section 19-2.1 of this Code shall be examined and processed pursuant to Sections 19-9 and 20-9 of this Code. Vote results shall be recorded by precinct and shall be added to the vote results for the precinct in which the absent voter was eligible to vote prior to completion of the official canvass.

(a-5) Early voting ballots cast in accordance with Article 19A shall be counted in precincts as provided in that Article. Early votes cast through the use of Direct Recording Electronic Voting System devices shall be counted using the procedures of this Article. Early votes cast by a method other than the use of Direct Recording Electronic Voting System devices shall be counted using the procedures of this Code for that method.

(b) All proceedings at the location for central counting shall be under the direction of the county clerk or board of election commissioners. Except for any specially trained technicians required for the operation of the Direct Recording Electronic Voting System, the employees at the counting station shall be equally divided between members of the 2 leading political parties and all duties performed by the employees shall be by teams consisting of an equal number of members of each political party. Thirty days before an election the county clerk or board of election commissioners shall submit to the chairman of each political party, for his or her approval or disapproval, a list of persons of his or her party proposed to be employed. If a chairman fails to notify the election authority of his or her disapproval of any proposed employee within a period of 10 days thereafter the list shall be deemed approved.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

(10 ILCS 5/24C-15)

Sec. 24C-15. Official Return of Precinct; Check of Totals; Audit. The precinct return printed by the Direct Recording Electronic Voting System tabulating equipment shall include the number of ballots cast and votes cast for each candidate and public question and shall constitute the official return of each precinct. In addition to the precinct return, the election authority shall provide the number of applications for ballots in each precinct, the total number of ballots and absentee ballots counted in each precinct for each political subdivision and district and the number of registered voters in each precinct. However, the election authority shall check the totals shown by the precinct return and, if there is an obvious discrepancy regarding the total number of votes cast in any precinct, shall have the ballots for that precinct audited to correct the return. The procedures for this audit shall apply prior to and after the proclamation is completed; however, after the proclamation of results, the election authority must obtain a court order to unseal voted ballots or voting devices except for election contests and discovery recounts. The certificate of results, which has been prepared and signed by the judges of election in the polling place after the ballots have been tabulated, shall be the document used for the canvass of votes for such precinct. Whenever a discrepancy exists during the canvass of votes between the unofficial results and the certificate of results, or whenever a discrepancy exists during the canvass of votes between the certificate of results and the set of totals reflected on the certificate of results, the ballots for that precinct shall be audited to correct the return.

Prior to the proclamation, the election authority shall test the voting devices and equipment in 5% 1% of the precincts within the election jurisdiction. The precincts to be tested shall be selected after election day on a random basis by the election authority, so that every precinct in the election jurisdiction has an equal mathematical chance of being selected. The State Board of Elections shall design a standard and scientific random method of selecting the precincts that are to be tested, and the election authority shall be required to use that method. The State Board of Elections, the State's Attorney and other appropriate law enforcement agencies, the county chairman of each established political party and qualified civic organizations shall be given prior written notice of the time and place of the random selection procedure and may be represented at the procedure.

The test shall be conducted by counting the votes marked on the permanent paper record of each ballot cast in the tested precinct printed by the voting system at the time that each ballot was cast and comparing the results of this count with the results shown by the certificate of results prepared by the Direct Recording Electronic Voting System in the test precinct. The election authority shall test count these votes either by hand or by using an automatic tabulating device other than a Direct Recording Electronic voting device that has been approved by the State Board of Elections for that purpose and tested before use to ensure accuracy. The election authority shall print the results of each test count. If any error is detected, the cause shall be determined and corrected, and an errorless count shall be made prior to the official canvass and proclamation of election results. If an errorless count cannot be conducted and there continues to be difference in vote results between the certificate of results produced by the Direct Recording Electronic Voting System and the count of the permanent paper records or if an error was detected and corrected, the election authority shall immediately prepare and forward to the appropriate canvassing board a written report explaining the results of the test and any errors encountered and the report shall be made available for public inspection.

The State Board of Elections, the State's Attorney and other appropriate law enforcement agencies, the county chairman of each established political party and qualified civic organizations shall be given prior written notice of the time and place of the test and may be represented at the test.

The results of this post-election test shall be treated in the same manner and have the same effect as the results of the discovery procedures set forth in Section 22-9.1 of this Code.

(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03.)

Section 10. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.700 and by changing Section 8h as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.700 new)

Sec. 5.700. The Voters' Guide Fund.

(30 ILCS 105/8h)

Sec. 8h. Transfers to General Revenue Fund.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), notwithstanding any other State law to the contrary, the Governor may, through June 30, 2007, from time to time direct the State Treasurer and Comptroller to transfer a specified sum from any fund held by the State Treasurer to the General Revenue Fund in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year. The total transfer under this Section from any fund in any fiscal year shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 8% of the revenues to be deposited into the fund during that fiscal year or (ii) an amount that leaves a remaining fund balance of 25% of the July 1 fund balance of that fiscal year. In fiscal year 2005 only, prior to calculating the July 1, 2004 final balances, the Governor may calculate and direct the State Treasurer with the Comptroller to transfer additional amounts determined by applying the formula authorized in Public Act 93-839 to the funds balances on July 1, 2003. No transfer may be made from a fund under this Section that would have the effect of reducing the available balance in the fund to an amount less than the amount remaining unexpended and unreserved from the total appropriation from that fund estimated to be expended for that fiscal year. This Section does not apply to any funds that are restricted by federal law to a specific use, to any funds in the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, the Hospital Provider Fund, the Medicaid Provider Relief Fund, or the Reviewing Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Fund, or the Voters' Guide Fund, or to any funds to which subsection (f) of Section 20-40 of the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act applies. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for fiscal year 2004, the total transfer under this Section from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 5% of the revenues to be deposited into the fund during that fiscal year or (ii) 25% of the beginning balance in the fund. For fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2007, no amounts may be transferred under this Section from the Road Fund, the State Construction Account Fund, the Criminal Justice Information Systems Trust Fund, the Wireless Service Emergency Fund, or the Mandatory Arbitration Fund.

In determining the available balance in a fund, the Governor may include receipts, transfers into the fund, and other resources anticipated to be available in the fund in that fiscal year.

The State Treasurer and Comptroller shall transfer the amounts designated under this Section as soon as may be practicable after receiving the direction to transfer from the Governor.

(b) This Section does not apply to any fund established under the Community Senior Services and Resources Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-32, eff. 6-20-03; 93-659, eff. 2-3-04; 93-674, eff. 6-10-04; 93-714, eff. 7-12-04; 93-801, eff. 7-22-04; 93-839, eff. 7-30-04; 93-1054, eff. 11-18-04; 93-1067, eff. 1-15-05.)

Section 15. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by changing Sections 3.1-10-50 and 5-5-1 as follows:

(65 ILCS 5/3.1-10-50)

Sec. 3.1-10-50. Vacancies.

(a) A municipal officer may resign from office. A vacancy occurs in an office by reason of resignation, failure to elect or qualify (in which case the incumbent shall remain in office until the vacancy is filled), death, permanent physical or mental disability rendering the person incapable of performing the duties of his or her office, conviction of a disqualifying crime, abandonment of office, removal from office, or removal of residence from the municipality or, in the case of aldermen of a ward or trustees of a district, removal of residence from the ward or district, as the case may be. An admission of guilt of a criminal offense that would, upon conviction, disqualify the municipal officer from holding that office, in the form of a written agreement with State or federal prosecutors to plead guilty to a felony, bribery, perjury, or other infamous crime under State or federal law, shall constitute a resignation from that office, effective at the time the plea agreement is made. For purposes of this Section, a conviction for an offense that disqualifies the municipal officer from holding that office shall occur on the date of the return of a guilty verdict or, in the case of a trial by the court, the entry of a finding of guilt.

(b) If a vacancy occurs in an elective municipal office with a 4-year term and there remains an unexpired portion of the term of at least 28 months, and the vacancy occurs at least 130 days before the general municipal election next scheduled under the general election law, the vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the term at that general municipal election. Whenever an election is held for this purpose, the municipal clerk shall certify the office to be filled and the candidates for the office to the proper election authorities as provided in the general election law. If the vacancy is in the office of mayor, the city council shall elect one of their members acting mayor; if the vacancy is in the office of president, the vacancy shall be filled by the appointment by the trustees of an acting president from the members of the board of trustees. In villages with a population of less than 5,000, if each of the members of the board of trustees either declines the appointment as acting president or is not approved for the appointment by a majority vote of the trustees presently holding office, then the board of trustees may appoint as acting president any other village resident who is qualified to hold municipal office. The acting mayor or acting president shall perform the duties and possess all the rights and powers of the mayor or president until a successor to fill the vacancy has been elected and has qualified. If the vacancy is in any other elective municipal office, then until the office is filled by election, the mayor or president shall appoint a qualified person to the office subject to the advice and consent of the city council or trustees.

(c) In a 2 year term, or if the vacancy occurs later than the time provided in subsection (b) in a 4 year term, a vacancy in the office of mayor shall be filled by the corporate authorities electing one of their members acting mayor; if the vacancy is in the office of president, the vacancy shall be filled by the appointment by the trustees of an acting president from the members of the board of trustees. In villages with a population of less than 5,000, if each of the members of the board of trustees either declines the appointment as acting president or is not approved for the appointment by a majority vote of the trustees presently holding office, then the board of trustees may appoint as acting president any other village resident who is qualified to hold municipal office. The acting mayor or acting president shall perform the duties and possess all the rights and powers of the mayor or president until a mayor or president is elected at the next general municipal election and has qualified. A vacancy in any elective office other than mayor or president shall be filled by appointment by the mayor or president, with the advice and consent of the corporate authorities.

(d) This subsection applies on and after January 1, 2006. The election of an acting mayor or acting president in a municipality with a population under 500,000 does not create a vacancy in the original office of the person on the city council or as a trustee, as the case may be, unless the person resigns from the original office following election as acting mayor or acting president. If the person resigns from the original office following election as acting mayor or acting president, then the original office must be filled pursuant to the terms of this Section and the acting mayor or acting president shall exercise the powers of the mayor or president and shall vote and have veto power in the manner provided by law for a mayor or president. If the person does not resign from the original office following election as acting mayor or acting president, then the acting mayor or acting president shall exercise the powers of the mayor or president but shall be entitled to vote only in the manner provided for as the holder of the original office and shall not have the power to veto. If the person does not resign from the original office following election as acting mayor or acting president, and if that person's original term of office has not expired when a mayor or president is elected and has qualified for office, the acting mayor or acting president shall return to the original office for the remainder of the term thereof.

(e) (d) Municipal officers appointed or elected under this Section shall hold office until their successors are elected and have qualified.

(f) (e) An appointment to fill a vacancy in the office of alderman shall be made within 60 days after the vacancy occurs. The requirement that an appointment be made within 60 days is an exclusive power and function of the State and is a denial and limitation under Article VII, Section 6, subsection (h) of the Illinois Constitution of the power of a home rule municipality to require that an appointment be made within a different period after the vacancy occurs.

(Source: P.A. 90-429, eff. 8-15-97; 90-707, eff. 8-7-98; 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(65 ILCS 5/5-5-1) (from Ch. 24, par. 5-5-1)

Sec. 5-5-1. Petition for abandonment of managerial form; referendum; succeeding elections of officers and aldermen or trustees.

(a) A city or village that has operated for 4 years or more under the managerial form of municipal government may abandon that organization as provided in this Section. For the purposes of this Article, the operation of the managerial form of municipal government shall be deemed to begin on the date of the appointment of the first manager in the city or village. When a petition for abandonment signed by electors of the municipality equal in number to at least 10% of the number of votes cast for candidates for mayor at the preceding general quadrennial municipal election is filed with the circuit court for the county in which that city or village is located, the court shall set a date not less than 10 nor more than 30 days thereafter for a hearing on the sufficiency of the petition. Notice of the filing of the petition and of the date of the hearing shall be given in writing to the city or village clerk and to the mayor or village president at least 7 days before the date of the hearing. If the petition is found sufficient, the court shall enter an order directing that the proposition be submitted at an election other than a primary election for the municipality. The clerk of the court shall certify the proposition to the proper election authorities for submission. The proposition shall be in substantially the following form:

Shall (name of city or village) retain the managerial form of municipal government?

(b) If the majority of the votes at the election are "yes", then the proposition to abandon is rejected and the municipality shall continue operating under this Article 5. If the majority of the votes are "no", then the proposition to abandon operation under this Article 5 is approved.

(c) If the proposition for abandonment is approved, the city or village shall become subject to Article 3.1 or Article 4, whichever Article was in force in the city or village immediately before the adoption of the plan authorized by this Article 5, upon the election and qualification of officers to be elected at the next succeeding general municipal election. Those officers shall be those prescribed by Article 3.1 or Article 4, as the case may be, but the change shall not in any manner or degree affect the property rights or liabilities of the city or village. The mayor, clerk, and treasurer and all other elected officers of a city or village in office at the time the proposition for abandonment is approved shall continue in office until the expiration of the term for which they were elected.

(d) If a city or village operating under this Article 5 has aldermen or trustees elected from wards or districts and a proposition to abandon operation under this Article 5 is approved, then the officers to be elected at the next succeeding general municipal election shall be elected from the same wards or districts as exist immediately before the abandonment.

(e) If a city or village operating under this Article 5 has a council or village board elected from the municipality at large and a proposition to abandon operation under this Article 5 is approved, then the first group of aldermen, board of trustees, or commissioners so elected shall be of the same number as was provided for in the municipality at the time of the adoption of a plan under this Article 5, with the same ward or district boundaries in cities or villages that immediately before the adoption of this Article 5 had wards or districts, unless the municipal boundaries have been changed. If there has been such a change, the council or village board shall so alter the former ward or district boundaries so as to conform as nearly as possible to the former division. If the plan authorized by this Article 5 is abandoned, the next general municipal election for officers shall be held at the time specified in Section 3.1-10-75 or 3.1-25-15 for that election. The aldermen or trustees elected at that election shall, if the city or village was operating under Article 3 at the time of adoption of this Article 5 and had at that time staggered 4 year terms of office for the aldermen or trustees, choose by lot which shall serve initial 2 year terms as provided by Section 3.1-20-35 or 3.1-15-5, whichever may be applicable, in the case of election of those officers at the first election after a municipality is incorporated.

(f) The proposition to abandon the managerial form of municipal government shall not be submitted in any city or village oftener than once in 46 12 months.

(Source: P.A. 93-847, eff. 7-30-04.)

Section 20. The Revised Cities and Villages Act of 1941 is amended by changing Section 21-28 as follows:

(65 ILCS 20/21-28) (from Ch. 24, par. 21-28)

Sec. 21-28. Nomination by petition.

(a) All nominations for alderman of any ward in the city shall be by petition. All petitions for nominations of candidates shall be signed by such a number of legal voters of the ward as will aggregate not less than two per cent of all the votes cast for alderman in such ward at the last preceding general election. For the election following the redistricting of wards petitions for nominations of candidates shall be signed by the number of legal voters of the ward as will aggregate not less than 2% of the total number of votes cast for mayor at the last preceding municipal election divided by the number of wards.

(b) All nominations for mayor, city clerk, and city treasurer in the city shall be by petition. Each petition for nomination of a candidate must be signed by at least 12,500 legal voters of the city.

(c) All such petitions, and procedure with respect thereto, shall conform in other respects to the provisions of the election and ballot laws then in force in the city of Chicago concerning the nomination of independent candidates for public office by petition. The method of nomination herein provided is exclusive of and replaces all other methods heretofore provided by law.

(Source: P.A. 81-1535.)

Section 25. The Illinois Highway Code is amended by changing Section 6-116 as follows:

(605 ILCS 5/6-116) (from Ch. 121, par. 6-116)

Sec. 6-116. Except as otherwise provided in this Section with respect to highway commissioners of township and consolidated township road districts, at the election provided by the general election law in 1985 and every 4 years thereafter in all counties, other than counties in which a county unit road district has been established and other than in Cook County, the highway commissioner of each road district and the district clerk of each road district having an elected clerk, shall be elected to hold office for a term of 4 years, and until his successor is elected and qualified. The highway commissioner of each road district and the district clerk of each road district elected in 1979 shall hold office for an additional 2 years and until his successor is elected and has qualified.

In each township and consolidated township road district outside Cook County, highway commissioners shall be elected at the election provided for such commissioners by the general election law in 1981 and every 4 years thereafter to hold office for a term of 4 years and until his successor is elected and qualified. The highway commissioner of each road district in Cook County shall be elected at the election provided for said commissioner by the general election law in 1981 and every 4 years thereafter for a term of 4 years, and until his successor is elected and qualified.

Each highway commissioner shall enter upon the duties of his office on the third first Monday in May after his election.

In road districts comprised of a single township, the highway commissioner shall be elected at the election provided for said commissioner by the general election law. All elections as are provided in this Section shall be conducted in accordance with the general election law.

(Source: P.A. 83-108.)

Section 30. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Section 2-105 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/2-105) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 2-105)

Sec. 2-105. Offices of Secretary of State. The Secretary of State shall maintain offices in the State capital and in such other places in the State as he may deem necessary to properly carry out the powers and duties vested in him.

The Secretary of State may construct and equip one or more buildings in the State of Illinois outside of the County of Sangamon as he deems necessary to properly carry out the powers and duties vested in him. The Secretary of State may, on behalf of the State of Illinois, acquire public or private property needed therefor by lease, purchase or eminent domain. The care, custody and control of such sites and buildings constructed thereon shall be vested in the Secretary of State. Expenditures for the construction and equipping of any of such buildings upon premises owned by another public entity shall not be subject to the provisions of any State law requiring that the State be vested with absolute fee title to the premises. The exercise of the authority vested in the Secretary of State by this Section is subject to the appropriation of the necessary funds.

Pursuant to Sections 4-6.2, 5-16.2, and 6-50.2 of The Election Code, the Secretary of State shall make driver services facilities available for use as temporary places of registration. Registration within the offices shall be in the most public, orderly and convenient portions thereof, and Section 4-3, 5-3, and 11-4 of The Election Code relative to the attendance of police officers during the conduct of registration shall apply. Registration under this Section shall be made in the manner provided by Sections 4-8, 4-10, 5-7, 5-9, 6-34, 6-35, and 6-37 of The Election Code.

Within 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1990, and no later than November 1 of each even-numbered year thereafter, the Secretary of State, to the extent practicable, shall designate to each election authority in the State a reasonable number of employees at each driver services facility registered to vote within the jurisdiction of such election authority and within adjacent election jurisdictions for appointment as deputy registrars by the election authority located within the election jurisdiction where the employees maintain their residences. Such designation shall be in writing and certified by the Secretary of State.

Each person applying at a driver services facility for a driver's license or permit, a corrected driver's license or permit, an Illinois identification card or a corrected Illinois identification card shall be notified that the person may register at such station to vote in the State election jurisdiction in which the station is located or in an election jurisdiction adjacent to the location of the station and may also transfer his voter registration at such station to a different an address in the State election jurisdiction within which the station is located or to an address in an adjacent election jurisdiction. Such notification may be made in writing or verbally issued by an employee or the Secretary of State.

The Secretary of State shall promulgate such rules as may be necessary for the efficient execution of his duties and the duties of his employees under this amendatory Act of 1990.

(Source: P.A. 90-89, eff. 1-1-98.)

Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.29 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.29 new)

Sec. 8.29. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

Section 95. Severability. The provisions of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

Section 97. No acceleration or delay. Where this Act makes changes in a statute that is represented in this Act by text that is not yet or no longer in effect (for example, a Section represented by multiple versions), the use of that text does not accelerate or delay the taking effect of (i) the changes made by this Act or (ii) provisions derived from any other Public Act.

Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.