Ness-Backed Measure to Increase Voting Accessibility Now Law

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. – To help ensure that all eligible voters can make their voices heard, state Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, recently supported a measure to expand some COVID-era voting options that will now be permanent for all future elections under Illinois law.

“The COVID-19 pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in many systems across our society, one being voting accessibility issues for certain populations,” said Ness. “It is critical that all individuals eligible to vote are able to, and by expanding access to ballot drop boxes and curbside voting, we are making sure senior citizens, individuals with disabilities or illnesses, and those who may have trouble getting to their polling place have every opportunity to participate in elections safely.”

Ness supported House Bill 1871, which codifies safety measures that were implemented ahead of the 2020 general election because of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing residents to safely exercise their constitutional right to vote. Recently signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, this measure allows local election authorities to continue utilizing secure drop boxes for mail-in ballots and providing curbside voting options.

“Voting is a fundamental part of our democracy, and no one should have to sit out an election because of a potential health risk,” said Ness. “I am proud to have supported this important piece of legislation that will allow for Illinois residents to vote safely and conveniently during the pandemic and for years to come.”