[IL-Talk] Reminder: Action Alert - SB 282 SCA 1

[davant1958 at gmail.com]

Hello All,

The Illinois legislative session ends on May 19. Regarding SB 282,SCA 1,
Access Living - Chicago has sent the below action alert to its allies. Calls
are preferred but you can also email. This version has a script in it and
you can use it if you'd like. Please share with your family, friends,
organizations and networks.

Thank you for all you are all doing.

 

 

"Illinois voters with disabilities need your help TODAY. Time is running
short to ensure that accessible electronic vote by mail is available to
Illinoisans with print disabilities statewide. Most urgently, we need phone
calls!  <https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/wJLAE0K9W1h6_Zko0Ey6Yw>
Emails can also be done at this link, but PHONE CALLS are needed! See the
below alert from the National Federation of the Blind-Illinois."

ACTION ALERT:

Act Now to Ensure Accessibility of Vote by Mail for Voters with Print
Disabilities, Military Families and Citizens Living Overseas

Tell Legislators to Support SB 282, SCA 1

Currently, Illinois voters with print disabilities (which includes people
who are blind, low vision, have physical dexterity limitations or cognitive
or learning disabilities) can receive, mark, and verify their vote by mail
ballots electronically, using their own assistive technology.  However, they
are required to print, sign, and return a paper ballot to their local
election authority.  This requirement forces them to rely on assistance from
a person without disabilities to complete and submit their ballots which,
contrary to Title II of the ADA, deprives them of the right to vote
privately and independently.  Military families and citizens living overseas
also have the ability to receive vote by mail ballots electronically, but
they are required to return them by mail.  This has been very problematic
for military families serving abroad or relocating to new duty stations in
the U.S., resulting in much lower voter participation rates.

To close this accessibility gap, voters with print disabilities must be able
to return their vote by mail ballots electronically without relying on help
from anyone else and military families and citizens living overseas must
have that right as well.  SB 282, SCA 1 would allow voters with print
disabilities as well as military service members, their families and
citizens living overseas to return their vote by mail ballots
electronically, beginning with the 2024 Primary Election.  The Illinois
General Assembly is working on a large election law bill (called an
"omnibus" bill) that will include provisions regarding various elections
issues.  To give voters with print disabilities an opportunity to vote that
is truly equal to voters without disabilities, and eliminate the voting
problems faced by military families and citizens living overseas, it is
critical that the language of SB 282, SCA 1 is included in the omnibus
election law bill.

A sample phone call script is as follows: "Hello, my name is ___ and I'm
calling to ask that [name of legislator) support SB 282 SCA 1 to be included
in the elections omnibus bill. This would ensure that voters with print
disabilities, military families, and Illinois voters overseas can receive
and send back their ballots electronically. Will you ask them to do this?"

ACT NOW BY CALLING THESE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO URGE THEM TO SUPPORT AND
INCLUDE SB 282, SCA 1 IN THE OMNIBUS ELECTION LAW BILL:

HOUSE

Rep. Chris Welch (Speaker of the House)-217-782-5350

Rep. Robyn Gabel (Majority Leader)-217-782-8052

Rep. Kelly Burke (Assistant Majority Leader)-217-782-0515

SENATE

Sen. Don Harmon (President of the Senate)-217-782-8176

Sen. Kimberly Lightford (Majority Leader)-217-782-8505

IF ANY OF THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS BELOW ARE YOUR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OR
SENATOR, PLEASE CALL THEM AS WELL.  BE SURE TO TELL THEM YOU ARE ONE OF
THEIR CONSTITUENTS!

HOUSE

Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth-217-782-3186

Rep. Mary Flowers-217-782-4207

Rep. Elizabeth Hernandez-217-782-8173

Rep. Jay Hoffman-217-782-0104

Rep. Natalie Manley-217-782-3316

Rep. Kam Buckner-217-782-2023

Rep. Aaron Ortiz-217-782-1117

Rep, Barbara Hernandez-217-558-1002

Rep. Marcus Evans-217-782-8272

Rep. Robert Rita-217-558-1000

SENATE

Sen. Bill Cunningham-217-782-5145

Sen. Mattie Hunter-217-782-5966

Sen. Linda Holmes-217-782-0422

Sen. Laura Murphy-217-782-3875

Sen. David Koehler-217-782-8250

Sen. Napoleon Harris-217-782-8066

Sen. Cristina Castro-217-782-7746

Sen. Elgie Sims-217-782-3201

 

 

 

 

Denise Avant,

1st Vice President

National Federation of the Blind of Illinois