Legislative Watch 
LEGISLATIVE
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8/29/05-Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed a bill into law last week that allows voters in the state to cast their ballot in person before Election Day and even on Saturdays and Sundays. It is also intended to get more citizens registered.
Currently, Illinois law allows people to vote absentee by mail only if they have a good reason for not being available on Election Day. That provision is still in place, but voters can cast their ballots in person – without an excuse – under the new early voting law.
The early voting period will start 22 days prior to the election and continue until the Thursday before Election Day. This year, it is Nov. 3.
Because of existing Illinois law that permits voter registrations up to 14 days before an election, the new rule creates a nine-day window of time during which a person could register and vote on the same day.
The new law, previously HB1968, also allows voters to register by mail and permits state lawmakers to register voters at their district offices.
In addition, employers with at least 25 workers would have to grant an employee up to two hours of paid time off if their work schedule would prevent them from voting on Election Day.
It also requires publication of a voter’s guide to statewide candidates, which must be made available on the Internet.
