SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois lawmakers approved changes to state election law over the holiday weekend, including moving the March primary to June.
The later date would only be in effect next year, holding the primary on June 28 instead of March 15.
Rep. Maurice West, who sponsored the legislation, said Illinois has always had a really long window between the primary and the general election.
“Which makes the political season long and risks negatively affecting public policy meetings. So, I’ve proposed to do this one-time change,” West said.
The election package would also let people sign up for permanent vote-by-mail status.
“The core of this bill is a continuation of the Democrats’ redistricting plan,” said Republican Rep. Ryan Spain of Peoria.
Spain debated against the legislation that he said would also allow sheriffs to set up temporary polling places for inmates who haven’t been convicted yet.
If the election package is signed into law, it would make the General Election Day in November a state and school holiday.
