Connor Resolution Encourages Vote by Mail

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Believing that all voters should have their voices heard, state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, has introduced a resolution calling on the Illinois State Board of Elections and local election authorities to encourage increased investment and participation in vote by mail programs.

“Vote by mail can lead to increased participation by eliminating many of the hassles of Election Day voting,” Connor said. “Instead of dealing with long lines, bad weather or any other work or family issue that can cause someone to change plans, vote by mail gives people the opportunity to make sure their vote is counted.”

Connor’s House Resolution 122 highlights voter participation in 2018, in which 26.48 percent of registered voters cast a ballot in the primary, and 57.23 percent of those registered voted in the general election. In addition to encouraging increased turnout, the resolution notes that voting by mail not only gives voters the option to conveniently vote from home on their own time, it can also create cost savings for local election authorities. According to a study of Utah’s 2016 general election, Utah experienced greater turnout in counties that administered voting entirely by mail compared to counties that used polling place-based voting.

“When it comes to voting, I believe we need a multifaceted approach that allows residents to conveniently vote on their own schedule,” Connor said. “By encouraging vote by mail, we can effectively increase voter participation and ensure that residents are heard on important issues.”