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SB 3252

DIRECT RECORDING ELEC VOTING

104th Regular Session Introduced by Neil Anderson

Illinois would require all election systems to be approved by the State Board of Elections, replacing the DRE framework with a board-centric, standardized voting technology regime.

Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 15, 2026
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Bill Summary · SB 3252

Summary of SB3252 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

Title: DIRECT RECORDING ELEC VOTING

Jurisdiction: Illinois

Purpose (as introduced)
- To require that only voting machines or voting systems approved by the State Board of Elections (SBE) may be used by election authorities.
- To repeal the Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems Article and make conforming changes.
- To clarify that “voting machine,” “voting system,” or “electronic voting system” does not include direct recording electronic (DRE) voting machines or systems or systems that use a computer as the marking device to mark a ballot sheet.
- Effective date: January 1, 2027.

What the bill would do (key provisions)
- Section 1-26 (new): Voting machines and voting systems
- Only voting machines or voting systems approved by the State Board of Elections may be used by an election authority.

  • Repeal and conforming changes

    • Repeals the Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems Article.
    • Makes conforming edits to definitions and procedures throughout the Election Code to align with the new framework that excludes DREs and certain computer-marking systems from being considered “voting systems” for purposes of approval.

  • Sections touched and substantive implications (selected highlights)

    • Sec. 17-11 (voting process in booths)
    • Sets traditional expectations for voter privacy, folding ballots, and the mechanics of casting votes.
    • Requires notification to the voter about the voting equipment’s acceptance/rejection of the ballot or identification of under-voted ballots, and allows correction in certain cases. The core procedures for in-precinct voting in booths remain, with provisions that may be cross-referenced with Article 24, 24A, 24B, or 24C when applicable.
    • Sec. 18A-218.20 (provisional ballots cast in incorrect precincts)
    • Governs counting of provisional ballots cast in an incorrect precinct within the same jurisdiction.
    • Establishes criteria for entitlement to provisional ballots, steps for counting (including use of two judges from the two leading parties), and the conditions under which certain offices’ votes may be counted.
    • Provides detailed procedures for remaking ballots (paper or electronic) if some votes are valid and others are not, including preservation and notation of original ballots.
    • Sec. 19A-25.5 (voting equipment and counting)
    • Addresses use of automatic tabulating equipment, central vs. in-precinct counting, and conflicts with other articles (24A, 24B, 24C) depending on the technology used.
    • Clarifies that early ballots are counted after polls close, with central counting locations specified.
    • Sec. 23-50 and Sec. 24-0.5
    • Definitions related to “vote,” “ballot,” “voting system,” “central counting,” and related terminology.
    • Explicitly defines the scope of what constitutes a voting system and clarifies that a voting machine does not include DREs or systems using a computer as the marking device to mark a ballot.
    • Sec. 24A-16; 24B-2; 24B-9.1 (system approval and operation)
    • State Board of Elections must approve all voting systems and not approve external IrDA ports.
    • Sets framework for vendor application fees, testing costs, and the requirement that any voting system or modification be approved before sale or use by jurisdictions.
    • Outlines the process for counting, tabulation, and the handling of ballots under various Voting System configurations (including optical scan technologies).

  • Effective date

    • The act would take effect January 1, 2027.

Who would be affected
- Election authorities (counties, municipalities) would need to use only SBE-approved voting systems.
- Voting system vendors and manufacturers seeking approval for Illinois use would face a formal approval process, fees, and testing requirements.
- Voters and poll workers would be affected by revised procedures in provisional ballot handling, pollwatcher observance, and the remaking/remapping of ballots when provisional ballots are counted in the incorrect precinct.

Timeline and procedural notes
- Effective date of new framework: January 1, 2027.
- Ongoing coordination with existing Articles (24A, 24B, 24C) to determine the applicable rules based on the technology used.
- Repeal of the Direct Recording Electronic Voting Systems Article indicates a transitional shift away from DRE-centric systems toward board-approved voting systems.

Overall takeaway
- SB3252 seeks to centralize and standardize voting technology in Illinois by ensuring all voting systems used by election authorities are approved by the State Board of Elections, while repealing the DRE-specific framework. It introduces a broader, board-centric approach to voting equipment approval, and tightens procedures for counting, provisional ballots, and veteran aspects of the voting process to align with the approved systems framework. The bill emphasizes secrecy, accuracy, and auditable processes, with explicit delineation between various voting technologies and their governance.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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