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SB 1324

ELEC CD-SCHOOL POLLING PLACE

104th Regular Session Introduced by Ram Villivalam

Requires collaboration to find alternative polling places when using a school disrupts programming or safety, with a data-driven county decision if no agreement.

Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments
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Bill Summary · SB 1324

SB 1324 — “ELEC CD — School Polling Place” (Amendment to 10 ILCS 5/11‑4.1)

Status: Introduced (Feb 14, 2025). Referred to Assignments / Rule 3‑9(a). Companion: HB 1005.

Purpose / Intent

To clarify and formalize procedures when a school selected as a polling place cannot be used because it would interfere with school programming or would pose safety risks to staff or students. The bill directs cooperative efforts to find alternatives and, if cooperation fails, requires a formal report and a prompt decision by the county board of commissioners to avoid delays in selecting polling locations.

Key provisions

  • Amends Section 11‑4.1 of the Illinois Election Code (10 ILCS 5/11‑4.1).
  • Requires school districts and election authorities (county board or board of election commissioners) to work together to identify an alternative polling place if the school district demonstrates that using a school would:
    • Interfere with scheduled programming (including reasonable time before/after election day), or
    • Pose a threat to the safety of staff or students.
  • If the school district and election authority cannot agree on an alternative, they must submit a report to the Board of County Commissioners that includes:
    1. Prior voter turnout data for the proposed polling place: percentage early voters, percentage vote‑by‑mail voters, percentage of election‑day voters.
    2. A list of previous polling places within a reasonable distance of the proposed location.
    3. A list of early polling places within reasonable distance.
  • After receipt of the report, the Board of County Commissioners must determine a polling location “as soon as practicable” to avoid delay.
  • Encourages school districts, on election day, to either close the school or hold a teachers’ institute (students not in attendance).
  • Retains requirements that polling places be accessible to voters with disabilities and elderly voters, and that election authorities be permitted to administer elections in the building.
  • Provides that certain electors (e.g., those prohibited from entering a school because of child sex offender restrictions) may use vote‑by‑mail or early voting.

Who is affected

  • School districts and school staff (may be relieved from hosting polling if programming/safety conflicts exist).
  • County election authorities and Boards of County Commissioners (responsible for coordinating alternatives and making final determinations).
  • Voters, especially precinct voters whose usual polling place is a school, as well as early and mail voters.
  • Administrators responsible for ensuring accessibility and compliance.

Practical impact / considerations

  • Creates a formal dispute-resolution path and data-based reporting step when schools object to hosting polling places, which could reduce conflicts between election officials and school administrators.
  • May increase use of alternative public buildings or shift more voters to early/mail voting in affected precincts.
  • Imposes an administrative requirement on local officials to compile turnout data and nearby polling‑place inventories and to expedite county-level decisions when parties cannot agree.
  • Encouraging school closures or teacher institutes on election day could reduce in-person schooling on election days where schools remain polling places.

This summary highlights the bill’s main changes, affected stakeholders, and likely administrative and voter impacts.

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

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