PEORIA, Ill. — With election season in full-swing, Peoria County Board of Elections Executive Director Thomas Bride is making sure area residents are aware of rules when it comes to voting on Election Day.
Bride says many people who wear political apparel, which is considered electioneering, just aren’t aware that it’s illegal.
“Most of the time you just communicate, and they rectify it,” said Bride. “99% of the time [voters] not realizing it is the issue.”
In addition to electioneering, voter intimidation is punishable in the state of Illinois.
“If you’re actively interfering with someone’s right to vote, it’s a Class 3 Felony in Illinois,” said Bride.
In addition, there could be federal penalties as well.
The Elections Commission will be on the lookout for voter intimidation, which Bride says seems to be heightened this year.
“On top of the election, which I think has animated a lot of people, we have the pandemic on top of that,” said Bride. “More than anything, I think it’s just the layering of issues that we’re dealing with.”
“We decided it’d be best to be proactive, which we really necessarily haven’t had to have in the past.”
Bride says voter intimidation is simple and applies when people try to interfere with others’ right to vote, and the Elections Commission has been working with Peoria Police for assistance on Election Day.
While there’s no one-stop-shop for info about electioneering and voter intimidation, Bride says staying out of trouble is simple.
“If it’s an issue, and an election judge approaches you, just follow what they say,” said Bride.
Full interview with Bride:
