Illinois General Assembly

For Immediate Release                                                   Contact: Rep. Halbrook

     March 17, 2020                                                               217-774-1306

Halbrook: Governor Must Implement Immediate Provisions Ensuring Assisted Living Residents Can Vote

Shelbyville…With primary election day underway across Illinois today, Rep. Brad Halbrook said he’s receiving calls about assisted living residents and other seniors currently living in “lock down” due to the coronavirus being unable to cast their votes. 

Rep. Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) is contacting the Governor’s office, and is ready to work with the Governor on immediately implementing an emergency plan to make sure seniors are able to cast their ballots and have their voices heard today.

“The issue unfolding is that those in Assisted Living facilities are under ‘lock down’ due to the coronavirus and are currently being denied their right to vote,” Halbrook said. “In an abundance of caution, nursing home and assisted living operators will not allow people in, and will not allow residents that leave to re-enter. I understand why that is necessary to protect seniors right now. But clearly, we need to immediately make emergency provisions to ensure they can vote. I call on the Governor and the State Board of Elections to issue guidance to election authorities allowing them to extend the provisions for hospital voting found in section 19-13 of the election code to residents of facilities under quarantine."

 Rep. Halbrook noted that the State's Attorney is the advocate for fair elections in their respective counties, and it is a felony to block a person's right to vote.

“Our right to vote is the cornerstone of our system of government and our way of life. Let’s work together to solve this problem immediately.” Halbrook said.

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