DEERFIELD — As members of the General Assembly have arrived back to Springfield, State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) is urging her colleagues to take up her bill, a package that would expand the state’s vote-by-mail program for the November election among other changes related to elections.

“People should not have to worry about their health and safety when exercising their right to vote,” Morrison said. “If people don’t feel safe going to restaurants, they won’t feel safe standing in line to cast their vote.” 

Illinoisans would have more options to forego traditional polling places and cast their ballots from the safety of their homes during the November 2020 election under a measure sponsored by Morrison. She would like to see everyone who has voted in the last two years receive a ballot, which would then be returned to the county elections office and counted on Election Day.

This would not preclude in-person voting opportunities on and before Election Day.

“No one knows what this pandemic will look like come fall,” Morrison said. “It is imperative we give people more options to exercise their right to vote during this unprecedented time.” 

Leading up to her return to Springfield, Morrison spent several weeks speaking with stakeholders, organizations and experts about the proposal outlined in part of Senate Bill 1863 — a package of elections-related measures.