Bill
SB 3673
The bill requires a comprehensive, searchable Internet Guide (and parallel Local Guide) published 45 days before general elections, with candidate info, statements, photos, transla
SB3673 (104th General Assembly) - Illinois
Title: ELEC CD-VOTER EDUCATION
Overview
SB3673 would expand and standardize the publication of an Internet Guide and Local Election Authority Guides (and related materials) to provide voters with comprehensive, centralized information ahead of elections. It adds new sections to the Election Code governing state and local guides, language access, candidate materials, and review procedures. The measure emphasizes making election information accessible online and via mailed guides, with a focus on statewide and local offices, candidate details, and election logistics.
Purpose and intent
- To ensure voters have timely, accessible, and standardized information about elections, candidates, and ballot questions.
- To require election authorities to publish an Internet Guide no later than 45 days before general elections, with expanded content and search capabilities.
- To provide language access and translation options to comply with federal law (and for broader accessibility).
- To establish procedures for candidate statements, campaign finance attestations, and photographs, including review, revision, and penalties for noncompliance.
- To create a dedicated Voters’ Guide Fund to support implementation and administration.
Key provisions and changes
1) Internet Guide (State Board of Elections)
- The State Board of Elections must publish an Internet Guide no later than the 45th day before a general election in which a statewide candidate appears.
- Content to be included (examples):
- Election date/time; elector qualification requirements; voter registration deadlines.
- Contact info for local authorities; descriptions of offices on the ballot (term, duties, base salary) for statewide offices listed; names and party affiliations of qualified candidates for those offices.
- Information on challenged candidates and whether they may be removed from the ballot.
- Personal statements, contact information, campaign finance attestations, and photographs submitted by candidates (subject to rules).
- How to determine ballot type of equipment used, instructions for using equipment.
- Text of public questions; mechanism to determine district residency; searchability by office and candidate name.
- Information on becoming an election judge.
- The Guide must be archived for at least 5 years.
- Local election authorities may publish a voters’ guide before a general primary election and may use the Board’s framework.
2) Candidate statements, attestation, and photos (12A-10)
- Candidates named in the Internet Guide may submit a brief biography, contact info, campaign finance attestation, and a photograph.
- Limitations on content: brief biography, 400-word maximum, prohibition on mentioning opponents by name, allowed contact details, and photo restrictions (no hands in photo; no uniforms or insignia; plain background).
- If a campaign finance attestation is provided, it must state no corporate PACs or corporate contributions are accepted.
- If a candidate declines to submit, the Guide notes that fact.
- Violations can incur civil fines up to $1,000, deposited into the Voters’ Guide Fund for use by the Board.
3) Board review and revision process
- The Board reviews candidate photos, statements, and attestations for compliance with 12A-10. Submissions must be revised if needed, with a 5-business-day deadline to submit revisions after contact.
- If contact fails or revision is not timely, the Board may modify or exclude noncompliant items (photographs may be edited at candidate’s expense; noncompliant statements may be omitted).
4) Language access (12A-38)
- Local election authorities may translate Guide materials into additional languages as needed to comply with the Voting Rights Act or for accessibility.
- Visitors can view translated versions; candidates may submit non-English statements at their option, at their expense.
- The Board is not responsible for translating candidate statements.
5) Local Authority Internet Guide (12A-36, 12A-39)
- Local authorities must publish a parallel Local Election Authority Internet Guide no later than 45 days before general elections, with similar content for local offices and ballot questions.
- Local authorities must provide links to the State Board’s Guide and may mail a Voters’ Guide if a sample ballot is mailed.
- A dedicated Voters’ Guide Fund is established to support these activities, with funds available to local authorities via Board cooperation.
Affected entities
- State: State Board of Elections
- Local: County clerks and boards of election commissioners
- Candidates for statewide and local offices (and those involved in ballot questions)
- Electors/voters seeking information on elections
Timeline and procedure
- Effective timing mirrors existing practice: Internet Guides due 45 days before general elections with statewide candidates.
- New review, revision, and translation processes introduce expedited timelines (5-business-day revision window, potential edits at expense to candidates, fines for noncompliance).
- Archives maintained for at least 5 years.
Note: The bill text references existing sections and integrates new sections (12A-36, 12A-37, 12A-38, 12A-39) alongside amendments to 12A-2, 12A-5, 12A-10, 12A-35, 12A-45, 12A-50, and 12A-55.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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