Illinois Constitution ARTICLE III - SUFFRAGE AND ELECTIONS
Illinois Constitution – Article III: Suffrage and Elections (Summary)
Purpose:
Article III of the Illinois Constitution governs voting rights (suffrage) and the conduct of elections within the state.
Key Provisions:
Eligibility to Vote (§1):
A person may vote if they are:
A U.S. citizen
At least 18 years old
A resident of Illinois for at least 30 days before the election
Voting Rights (§1 continued):
Voting rights cannot be denied due to race, color, sex, or income.
The state must provide mechanisms to ensure free and equal access to voting.
Voter Registration (§2):
The General Assembly (state legislature) may enact laws requiring voter registration.
These laws must be uniform and apply equally across the state.
General Election Timing (§3):
General elections for statewide offices are held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November in even-numbered years (same as federal election timing).
Voting Procedures (§4):
Laws must ensure secrecy of voting and integrity of the election process.
The legislature may allow for absentee voting and early voting.
Eligibility Restrictions (§5):
A person convicted of a felony, or currently serving a sentence in a correctional institution or jail, cannot vote until their sentence is completed.
Reform and Revision (§6):
The people can propose and adopt changes to Article III through constitutional amendment procedures.
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