JAILS-PRISONS-VOTING

Amends the Election Code. Provides that each election authority shall collaborate with the county jail within the jurisdiction of the election authority to facilitate voting by mail for voters eligible to vote in the county who are confined or detained in the county jail. Provides that in a county with a population of 3,000,000 or more, the election authority in the county shall establish a temporary branch polling place in the county jail. Provides that a refusal by an eligible voter to participate in the voting process must be documented by the voter or witnessed by a pollwatcher. Provides that individuals who facilitate a vote by mail process must receive training on the process, responsibilities, and requirements of implementing a vote by mail program. Contains additional provisions concerning the temporary branch polling place in the county jail. Prohibits certain individuals from from being election judges in a temporary branch polling place in a county jail. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that each election authority shall collaborate with the county jail within the jurisdiction of the election authority to facilitate voter registration for voters eligible to vote in that county who are confined or detained in the county jail. Provides that a county jail shall provide a voter registration application to any person in custody at the jail who requests an application and is eligible to vote. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that upon release of a person who is eligible to vote, the Department of Corrections shall provide the person with a specified form that informs him or her that his or her voting rights have been restored. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections and Counties Code. Provides that upon discharge from a county jail or release from the Department of Corrections, a person shall be provided with a voter registration form. Provides that the Department, each county jail, and each county probation office shall provide an individual in its custody with specified information on voting rights. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the introduced bill with the following changes: In provisions amending the Election Code, removes language that requires a refusal by an eligible voter to participate in the voting process to be documented by the voter or witnessed by a pollwatcher. Removes language that prohibits active law enforcement officers, employees of the Department of Corrections, or employees of the head sheriff of the facility where voting occurs from being election judges in a temporary branch polling place in a county jail.