Illinois voters weigh in on possible penalties for election interference

SPRINGFIELD (WGEM) – When Illinois residents go to the polls this year, they will cast their votes for president, their representative in Congress, and their state and local offices. They will also take part in three non-binding referendums, including one on whether candidates should face penalties if they try to obstruct poll workers doing their jobs.

They were placed on the ballot under an election law signed by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) in May.

The non-binding referendum simply asks voters to:

“Should a candidate appearing on the Illinois ballot for federal, state or local office be subject to civil penalties if the candidate interferes or attempts to interfere with the official duties of a poll official?”

The referendum does not regulate what constitutes interference with the official duties of an election worker. There are also no specific civil penalties specified.

Because it is nonbinding, Illinois law will not change regardless of how people vote. However, state lawmakers can use the outcome to guide their move forward and potentially pass legislation that would impose new civil penalties for interfering with a poll worker’s work.

Under Illinois law, it is currently a Class 4 felony to tamper with or interfere with voting machines. It is a Class A misdemeanor to refuse to obey a lawful order from an election authority. This law applies to everyone, not just candidates.

There are two other non-binding referendums on the Illinois ballot in 2024, asking voters whether the state should raise taxes by 3% on income over $1 million to fund property tax relief. The other asks voters whether the state should require all insurance plans that offer pregnancy services to cover fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization, without limits on the number of treatments.

Early voting is underway in Illinois. Voters can visit the Illinois State Board of Elections website to find their polling locations and get more information about voting by email.

Copyright 2024 WGEM. All rights reserved.