Chicago – Standing with educators and students who pushed for a
student-voting proposal, Governor JB Pritzker today signed legislation which
will allow students to be excused from school for two hours to vote in a
primary, general, special, or any election school for two hours to vote
in a primary, general, special, or any election in Illinois at which
propositions are submitted to a popular vote in Illinois. Students can be
excused to exercise their right to vote on a day in which early voting is
offered or on the day of the election. Under the legislation, the school may
specify the hours in which students may be excused.
Students from Thornton Fractional North High School and Thornton Fractional
South High School brought the idea to Senator Elgie Sims, who worked with the
General Assembly and Rep. Nick Smith to pass the law.
“With this new law, our voting-eligible young people will have the freedom to
fit voting into their school day without fear of repercussion for engaging in
the very civic education we should all be proud to encourage, said Governor Pritzker. “The
young people who advocated for this legislation recognized how important it is
not only to vote, but to make the act of voting as accessible for all who can
vote as possible.”
“The advocacy of the students in my district convinced me I had to sponsor this
legislation, and their passion helped get it over the finish line,” said Senator Sims. “Signing
this plan into law broke down a barrier that has long made it difficult for
them and other students throughout the state to vote. Hopefully, this new law
will excite Illinois students and encourage them to take their civic duty as
voters seriously.”
“Voting is one of the most important civic responsibilities we will hold in our
lifetime,” said Representative Smith.
“It’s important that we work to encourage young people to vote by removing
barriers that could restrict them from making it to the polls. Providing an
opportunity to briefly leave school during an Election Day grants our young
voters a chance to have their voice heard when they may not be able to make it
to the polling booth otherwise.”
Senate Bill 1970 takes effect June 1, 2020.
