Bill > HB2414

This bill modifies several sections of the Illinois Election Code to change vote-by-mail ballot procedures. Specifically, the bill requires that vote-by-mail ballots must be received by the election authority before the polls close on election day, rather than simply being postmarked by election day. The bill eliminates provisions that previously allowed election authorities to accept ballots returned with insufficient or no postage and to maintain secure collection sites for postage-free ballot returns. Additionally, the bill changes reporting requirements, mandating that election authorities post the number of uncounted ballots on their websites on election day after polling locations close, and share this information with the State Board of Elections on the same day. The bill also removes language about counting ballots during the period for counting provisional ballots (previously up to 14 days after the election) and instead requires that ballots must be physically received by the election authority before polls close to be considered valid. These changes aim to tighten the rules around vote-by-mail ballot submission and counting, potentially making it more challenging for voters to cast ballots that arrive after election day.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2414&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104