Illinois General Assembly - Full Text of SB1484

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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB1484

Introduced 1/31/2025, by Sen. Omar Aquino

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Facilitating Voting By All Eligible Citizens Act. Provides that all eligible citizens shall cast a ballot in every general election. Provides that an eligible citizen who casts a blank ballot in a general election shall satisfy the requirement. Provides that no fine, fee, or penalty shall be assessed if an eligible citizen does not cast a ballot in a general election.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning elections.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Facilitating Voting By All Eligible Citizens Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds and declares:

(1) Section 4 of Article III of the Illinois Constitution provides that "The General Assembly by law shall define permanent residence for voting purposes, insure secrecy of voting and the integrity of the election process, and facilitate registration and voting by all qualified persons. Laws governing voter registration and conduct of elections shall be general and uniform."

(2) While precise data does not exist, there are likely fewer than 10,000,000 citizens who are eligible to vote in Illinois. Of those eligible voters, approximately 8,100,000 are registered to vote and approximately 5,700,000 cast a ballot in the 2024 general election.

(3) More than 24 countries, most notably Australia, treat voting as a civic duty, similar to jury duty.

(4) Illinois can lead the nation in implementing an American-style universal civic voting policy.

Section 10. Universal civic duty to cast a ballot.

(a) All eligible citizens shall cast a ballot in every general election. An eligible citizen who casts a blank ballot in a general election shall satisfy the requirement of this subsection.

(b) No fine, fee, or penalty shall be assessed if an eligible citizen does not cast a ballot in a general election.