Manley-Backed Initiative to Expand Vote by Mail Signed by Pritzker

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – To ensure Illinoisans are able to safely vote in the upcoming November General Election, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, recently supported a new law that will expand access to voting by mail amidst the COVID-19 health crisis.

“While it is encouraging to see Illinois continue to progress and reopen after months of uncertainty, the reality is that we do not know what the world will look like a few months from now,” said Manley. “Expanding the opportunity to vote by mail and implementing procedures that will help maintain social distancing and other important safety guidelines will help increase and secure safe voter participation in the upcoming election.”

Manley recently supported Senate Bill 1863, an initiative that was pushed by the Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus to help safely protect voters participating in the November 2020 election. Under the Manley-backed bill, which was recently signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker, many registered Illinois voters will automatically be sent vote by mail applications, and election authorities will have the ability to increase early voting hours, offer curbside voting and provide special senior voting hours. Additionally, Election Day 2020 will be a state holiday.

 “Voting by mail is a safe and convenient way to participate in the upcoming election, and making sure all eligible voters have the opportunity to vote by mail will ensure that no resident has to choose between their health and exercising their right to vote,” continued Manley. “While there is still so much uncertainty in our future, I am proud to see this legislation signed into law to help protect the public’s health while also encouraging voter participation.”