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SB 3298

ELEC CD-VOTERS PER PRECINCT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Julie Morrison

The bill standardizes precincts by target voter counts (1200 or 1800) and requires timely redistricting to align precinct sizes with census/redistricting cycles.

Rule 2-10 Committee/3rd Reading Deadline Established As May 22, 2026
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Bill Summary · SB 3298

Summary of SB 3298 (104th General Assembly, Illinois)

title: ELEC CD-VOTERS PER PRECINCT

purpose and intent
- The bill modifies how election precincts are drawn and adjusted in Illinois counties, with the goal of standardizing precinct sizes by number of registered voters who cast ballots.
- It adjusts the targeted precinct size thresholds and aligns the timing for redistricting-related precinct changes with decennial census cycles and post-redistricting updates.

Key provisions and changes

1) Precinct size target (County Boards in counties other than those with 3,000,000+ inhabitants)
- Current reference: the standard target varies by population size.
- New target (as introduced):
- Each precinct should contain, as near as practicable, 1,200 registered voters who cast a ballot in person on the day of the most recent general election.
- Timing for adjusting precincts:
- Counties must divide/adjust at their regular June meeting or an adjourned July meeting, and they can consider changes after the decennial census and post-congressional/legislative redistricting.

2) Post-census and post-redistricting adjustments
- After each decennial census and following congressional/legislative redistricting, county boards must adjust precinct boundaries as soon as practicable.
- The bill specifies that these precincts should contain as near as practicable 1,800 registered voters, with exceptions based on county population:
- If the county population is fewer than 3,000,000: target 1,200 voters per precinct.
- If the county population is 3,000,000 or more: target 1,800 voters per precinct.

3) Ongoing readjustment based on voter counts
- If after a general election the number of votes casts in any district or precinct exceeds the 1,200 (or 1,800) target, the county board must redivide/reconsolidate/readjust to meet the target.
- If a county board misses a year, the existing boundaries remain in effect until the next regular June meeting, after which redivision/adjustment must occur.

4) Polling place placement and related oversight
- County clerks must notify the State Board of Elections when precinct boundaries are redivided or readjusted.
- Polling places must be fixed and located to serve the center of voting populations; exceptions allow non-ideal placements if necessary to secure a suitable location (e.g., outside precinct boundaries, but still within practical limits).
- In cases of annexation, the municipality’s clerk informs the county clerk, and adjustments are made for the affected territory.

5) Special provisions and applicability
- The bill applies to all precincts, including those using voting machines or electronic systems.
- It includes provisions for emergency conditions (fire, flood, or heating loss) and clarifies procedures for notifying voters of polling place changes.

Affected entities and potential impact

  • County Boards of Commissioners (in non-mega-counties): primary responsibility for redrawing precinct lines, timing, and ensuring precincts meet voter-count targets.
  • County Clerks: coordination with State Board of Elections, notification of changes, and management of polling places.
  • State Board of Elections: receives notices of changes and oversees conformity with statute.
  • Voters: potential changes in which precinct they vote in, due to redistricting-based realignment to target voter counts.
  • Municipalities: coordination during annexations and potential impacts on polling locations and precinct borders within their boundaries.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective as part of the 2025–2026 legislative session (introduced February 3, 2026).
  • Key cadence:
    • June regular meetings (or adjourned July) for initial precinct division under new targets.
    • Post-decennial census and post-redistricting period for adjusting to 1,800-voter precincts (in larger counties) or 1,200-voter precincts (in smaller counties).
    • 90-day windows after presidential elections for precinct revisions in cities with different population sizes, to reflect votes cast and maintain manageable precinct sizes.
  • If adjustments are not made in a given year, the existing precincts persist until the next regular June meeting, at which time redivision must occur.

Notes

  • The bill builds on the framework of 102nd/103rd Acts (Public Act 102-668) and updates thresholds and timelines to reflect population size and post-redistricting realities.
  • The intent is to balance precinct manageability, voter convenience, and the integrity of the voting process by standardizing precinct size by the number of voters who cast ballots.

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

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