Illinois lawmakers are working to give people behind bars while awaiting trial a better opportunity to vote. The bill would require election officials to collaborate with county jails to provide voter registration forms to eligible voters who are in jail while awaiting trial. Those serving time after being convicted are not able to vote while in custody. State Rep. Juliana Stratton, D-Springfield, said many people in jail while awaiting trial don’t know they can vote.
“At the end of the day, we want to make sure that a person’s right to vote is preserved,” she said.
Her bill would require jails to offer registration forms and make voting available to eligible prisoners. The bill next is ready for a full House vote after a favorable House Elections & Campaign Finance Committee vote on Wednesday.
Full Article: Illinois lawmakers move on effort to expand voting from jail | Justice | ilnews.org.