SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Next year, you could be voting in the summer instead of the spring.
The State of Illinois has toyed with moving up its primary for years to be more competitive in presidential races. Now state lawmakers have approved a plan to push it back next year.
Instead of March 15, the primary would be June 28. Democrats pushing the bill pointed to a delay in census data as the reason for changing the date next year.
The bill instructs local election officials to notify voters about mail-in options and allows them to register to permanently vote that way.
The measure would also make curbside voting permanent, which allows handicapped or elderly people to vote right outside the polling place; and allow Election Day polling places to be set up where anyone in the jurisdiction could vote, regardless of the precinct of their residence.
Like last year, the general Election Day would be a state and school holiday, so school buildings can serve as polling places without worrying about students.
The measure heading to Governor Pritzker also allows county sheriffs to set up voting places in jails for defendants awaiting trial.
If the June 28 primary date is approved, several changes in the election calendar would occur. Candidates would start circulating petitions on Jan. 13 and would file them with the State Board of Elections between March 7 and 14.
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