101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
HB5045

 

Introduced 2/18/2020, by Rep. Daniel Didech

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
10 ILCS 5/7-10.2  from Ch. 46, par. 7-10.2
10 ILCS 5/7-17  from Ch. 46, par. 7-17
10 ILCS 5/8-8.1  from Ch. 46, par. 8-8.1
10 ILCS 5/10-5.1  from Ch. 46, par. 10-5.1
10 ILCS 5/16-3  from Ch. 46, par. 16-3

    Amends the Election Code. Provides that the requirements to change a candidate's name do not apply to name changes resulting from a civil union to assume a spouse's surname or dissolution of a civil union or declaration of invalidity of a civil union to assume a former surname or a name change that conforms the candidate's name to his or her gender identity. Makes conforming changes throughout the Code. Effective immediately.


LRB101 16131 SMS 65497 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB5045LRB101 16131 SMS 65497 b

1    AN ACT concerning elections.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Election Code is amended by changing
5Sections 7-10.2, 7-17, 8-8.1, 10-5.1, and 16-3 as follows:
 
6    (10 ILCS 5/7-10.2)  (from Ch. 46, par. 7-10.2)
7    Sec. 7-10.2. In the designation of the name of a candidate
8on a petition for nomination or certificate of nomination the
9candidate's given name or names, initial or initials, a
10nickname by which the candidate is commonly known, or a
11combination thereof, may be used in addition to the candidate's
12surname. If a candidate has changed his or her name, whether by
13a statutory or common law procedure in Illinois or any other
14jurisdiction, within 3 years before the last day for filing the
15petition or certificate for that office, whichever is
16applicable, then (i) the candidate's name on the petition or
17certificate must be followed by "formerly known as (list all
18prior names during the 3-year period) until name changed on
19(list date of each such name change)" and (ii) the petition or
20certificate must be accompanied by the candidate's affidavit
21stating the candidate's previous names during the period
22specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those names was
23changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds

 

 

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1for denying certification of the candidate's name for the
2ballot or removing the candidate's name from the ballot, as
3appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name
4changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent's
5or parents' surname, marriage or civil union to assume a
6spouse's surname, or dissolution of marriage or civil union or
7declaration of invalidity of marriage or civil union to assume
8a former surname or a name change that conforms the candidate's
9name to his or her gender identity. No other designation such
10as a political slogan, as defined by Section 7-17, title or
11degree, or nickname suggesting or implying possession of a
12title, degree or professional status, or similar information
13may be used in connection with the candidate's surname.
14(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 94-1090, eff. 6-1-07.)
 
15    (10 ILCS 5/7-17)  (from Ch. 46, par. 7-17)
16    Sec. 7-17. Candidate ballot name procedures.
17    (a) Each election authority in each county shall cause to
18be printed upon the general primary ballot of each party for
19each precinct in his jurisdiction the name of each candidate
20whose petition for nomination or for committeeperson has been
21filed in the office of the county clerk, as herein provided;
22and also the name of each candidate whose name has been
23certified to his office by the State Board of Elections, and in
24the order so certified, except as hereinafter provided.
25    It shall be the duty of the election authority to cause to

 

 

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1be printed upon the consolidated primary ballot of each
2political party for each precinct in his jurisdiction the name
3of each candidate whose name has been certified to him, as
4herein provided and which is to be voted for in such precinct.
5    (b) In the designation of the name of a candidate on the
6primary ballot the candidate's given name or names, initial or
7initials, a nickname by which the candidate is commonly known,
8or a combination thereof, may be used in addition to the
9candidate's surname. If a candidate has changed his or her
10name, whether by a statutory or common law procedure in
11Illinois or any other jurisdiction, within 3 years before the
12last day for filing the petition for nomination, nomination
13papers, or certificate of nomination for that office, whichever
14is applicable, then (i) the candidate's name on the primary
15ballot must be followed by "formerly known as (list all prior
16names during the 3-year period) until name changed on (list
17date of each such name change)" and (ii) the petition, papers,
18or certificate must be accompanied by the candidate's affidavit
19stating the candidate's previous names during the period
20specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those names was
21changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds
22for denying certification of the candidate's name for the
23ballot or removing the candidate's name from the ballot, as
24appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name
25changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent's
26or parents' surname, marriage or civil union to assume a

 

 

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1spouse's surname, or dissolution of marriage or civil union or
2declaration of invalidity of marriage or civil union to assume
3a former surname or a name change that conforms the candidate's
4name to his or her gender identity. No other designation such
5as a political slogan, title, or degree, or nickname suggesting
6or implying possession of a title, degree or professional
7status, or similar information may be used in connection with
8the candidate's surname. For purposes of this Section, a
9"political slogan" is defined as any word or words expressing
10or connoting a position, opinion, or belief that the candidate
11may espouse, including but not limited to, any word or words
12conveying any meaning other than that of the personal identity
13of the candidate. A candidate may not use a political slogan as
14part of his or her name on the ballot, notwithstanding that the
15political slogan may be part of the candidate's name.
16    (c) The State Board of Elections, a local election
17official, or an election authority shall remove any candidate's
18name designation from a ballot that is inconsistent with
19subsection (b) of this Section. In addition, the State Board of
20Elections, a local election official, or an election authority
21shall not certify to any election authority any candidate name
22designation that is inconsistent with subsection (b) of this
23Section.
24    (d) If the State Board of Elections, a local election
25official, or an election authority removes a candidate's name
26designation from a ballot under subsection (c) of this Section,

 

 

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1then the aggrieved candidate may seek appropriate relief in
2circuit court.
3(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)
 
4    (10 ILCS 5/8-8.1)  (from Ch. 46, par. 8-8.1)
5    Sec. 8-8.1. In the designation of the name of a candidate
6on a petition for nomination, the candidate's given name or
7names, initial or initials, a nickname by which the candidate
8is commonly known, or a combination thereof, may be used in
9addition to the candidate's surname. If a candidate has changed
10his or her name, whether by a statutory or common law procedure
11in Illinois or any other jurisdiction, within 3 years before
12the last day for filing the petition for that office, then (i)
13the candidate's name on the petition must be followed by
14"formerly known as (list all prior names during the 3-year
15period) until name changed on (list date of each such name
16change)" and (ii) the petition must be accompanied by the
17candidate's affidavit stating the candidate's previous names
18during the period specified in (i) and the date or dates each
19of those names was changed; failure to meet these requirements
20shall be grounds for denying certification of the candidate's
21name for the ballot or removing the candidate's name from the
22ballot, as appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to
23name changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive
24parent's or parents' surname, marriage or civil union to assume
25a spouse's surname, or dissolution of marriage or civil union

 

 

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1or declaration of invalidity of marriage or civil union to
2assume a former surname or a name change that conforms the
3candidate's name to his or her gender identity. No other
4designation such as a political slogan, title, or degree, or
5nickname suggesting or implying possession of a title, degree
6or professional status, or similar information may be used in
7connection with the candidate's surname.
8(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 94-1090, eff. 6-1-07.)
 
9    (10 ILCS 5/10-5.1)  (from Ch. 46, par. 10-5.1)
10    Sec. 10-5.1. In the designation of the name of a candidate
11on a certificate of nomination or nomination papers the
12candidate's given name or names, initial or initials, a
13nickname by which the candidate is commonly known, or a
14combination thereof, may be used in addition to the candidate's
15surname. If a candidate has changed his or her name, whether by
16a statutory or common law procedure in Illinois or any other
17jurisdiction, within 3 years before the last day for filing the
18certificate of nomination or nomination papers for that office,
19whichever is applicable, then (i) the candidate's name on the
20certificate or papers must be followed by "formerly known as
21(list all prior names during the 3-year period) until name
22changed on (list date of each such name change)" and (ii) the
23certificate or paper must be accompanied by the candidate's
24affidavit stating the candidate's previous names during the
25period specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those

 

 

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1names was changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be
2grounds for denying certification of the candidate's name for
3the ballot or removing the candidate's name from the ballot, as
4appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name
5changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent's
6or parents' surname, marriage or civil union to assume a
7spouse's surname, or dissolution of marriage or civil union or
8declaration of invalidity of marriage or civil union to assume
9a former surname or a name change that conforms the candidate's
10name to his or her gender identity. No other designation such
11as a political slogan, title, or degree, or nickname suggesting
12or implying possession of a title, degree or professional
13status, or similar information may be used in connection with
14the candidate's surname.
15(Source: P.A. 93-574, eff. 8-21-03; 94-1090, eff. 6-1-07.)
 
16    (10 ILCS 5/16-3)  (from Ch. 46, par. 16-3)
17    Sec. 16-3. (a) The names of all candidates to be voted for
18in each election district or precinct shall be printed on one
19ballot, except as is provided in Sections 16-6.1 and 21-1.01 of
20this Act and except as otherwise provided in this Act with
21respect to the odd year regular elections and the emergency
22referenda; all nominations of any political party being placed
23under the party appellation or title of such party as
24designated in the certificates of nomination or petitions. The
25names of all independent candidates shall be printed upon the

 

 

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1ballot in a column or columns under the heading "independent"
2arranged under the names or titles of the respective offices
3for which such independent candidates shall have been nominated
4and so far as practicable, the name or names of any independent
5candidate or candidates for any office shall be printed upon
6the ballot opposite the name or names of any candidate or
7candidates for the same office contained in any party column or
8columns upon said ballot. The ballot shall contain no other
9names, except that in cases of electors for President and
10Vice-President of the United States, the names of the
11candidates for President and Vice-President may be added to the
12party designation and words calculated to aid the voter in his
13choice of candidates may be added, such as "Vote for one,"
14"Vote for not more than three." If no candidate or candidates
15file for an office and if no person or persons file a
16declaration as a write-in candidate for that office, then below
17the title of that office the election authority instead shall
18print "No Candidate". When an electronic voting system is used
19which utilizes a ballot label booklet, the candidates and
20questions shall appear on the pages of such booklet in the
21order provided by this Code; and, in any case where candidates
22for an office appear on a page which does not contain the name
23of any candidate for another office, and where less than 50% of
24the page is utilized, the name of no candidate shall be printed
25on the lowest 25% of such page. On the back or outside of the
26ballot, so as to appear when folded, shall be printed the words

 

 

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1"Official Ballot", followed by the designation of the polling
2place for which the ballot is prepared, the date of the
3election and a facsimile of the signature of the election
4authority who has caused the ballots to be printed. The ballots
5shall be of plain white paper, through which the printing or
6writing cannot be read. However, ballots for use at the
7nonpartisan and consolidated elections may be printed on
8different color paper, except blue paper, whenever necessary or
9desirable to facilitate distinguishing between ballots for
10different political subdivisions. In the case of nonpartisan
11elections for officers of a political subdivision, unless the
12statute or an ordinance adopted pursuant to Article VII of the
13Constitution providing the form of government therefor
14requires otherwise, the column listing such nonpartisan
15candidates shall be printed with no appellation or circle at
16its head. The party appellation or title, or the word
17"independent" at the head of any column provided for
18independent candidates, shall be printed in letters not less
19than one-fourth of an inch in height and a circle one-half inch
20in diameter shall be printed at the beginning of the line in
21which such appellation or title is printed, provided, however,
22that no such circle shall be printed at the head of any column
23or columns provided for such independent candidates. The names
24of candidates shall be printed in letters not less than
25one-eighth nor more than one-fourth of an inch in height, and
26at the beginning of each line in which a name of a candidate is

 

 

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1printed a square shall be printed, the sides of which shall be
2not less than one-fourth of an inch in length. However, the
3names of the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor on
4the same ticket shall be printed within a bracket and a single
5square shall be printed in front of the bracket. The list of
6candidates of the several parties and any such list of
7independent candidates shall be placed in separate columns on
8the ballot in such order as the election authorities charged
9with the printing of the ballots shall decide; provided, that
10the names of the candidates of the several political parties,
11certified by the State Board of Elections to the several county
12clerks shall be printed by the county clerk of the proper
13county on the official ballot in the order certified by the
14State Board of Elections. Any county clerk refusing, neglecting
15or failing to print on the official ballot the names of
16candidates of the several political parties in the order
17certified by the State Board of Elections, and any county clerk
18who prints or causes to be printed upon the official ballot the
19name of a candidate, for an office to be filled by the Electors
20of the entire State, whose name has not been duly certified to
21him upon a certificate signed by the State Board of Elections
22shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
23    (b) When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes
24a ballot card, on the inside flap of each ballot card envelope
25there shall be printed a form for write-in voting which shall
26be substantially as follows:

 

 

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1
WRITE-IN VOTES
2    (See card of instructions for specific information.
3Duplicate form below by hand for additional write-in votes.)  
4     _____________________________  
5     Title of Office
6(   )  ____________________________  
7     Name of Candidate
8    Write-in lines equal to the number of candidates for which
9a voter may vote shall be printed for an office only if one or
10more persons filed declarations of intent to be write-in
11candidates or qualify to file declarations to be write-in
12candidates under Sections 17-16.1 and 18-9.1 when the
13certification of ballot contains the words "OBJECTION
14PENDING".
15    (c) When an electronic voting system is used which uses a
16ballot sheet, the instructions to voters on the ballot sheet
17shall refer the voter to the card of instructions for specific
18information on write-in voting. Below each office appearing on
19such ballot sheet there shall be a provision for the casting of
20a write-in vote. Write-in lines equal to the number of
21candidates for which a voter may vote shall be printed for an
22office only if one or more persons filed declarations of intent
23to be write-in candidates or qualify to file declarations to be
24write-in candidates under Sections 17-16.1 and 18-9.1 when the
25certification of ballot contains the words "OBJECTION
26PENDING".

 

 

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1    (d) When such electronic system is used, there shall be
2printed on the back of each ballot card, each ballot card
3envelope, and the first page of the ballot label when a ballot
4label is used, the words "Official Ballot," followed by the
5number of the precinct or other precinct identification, which
6may be stamped, in lieu thereof and, as applicable, the number
7and name of the township, ward or other election district for
8which the ballot card, ballot card envelope, and ballot label
9are prepared, the date of the election and a facsimile of the
10signature of the election authority who has caused the ballots
11to be printed. The back of the ballot card shall also include a
12method of identifying the ballot configuration such as a
13listing of the political subdivisions and districts for which
14votes may be cast on that ballot, or a number code identifying
15the ballot configuration or color coded ballots, except that
16where there is only one ballot configuration in a precinct, the
17precinct identification, and any applicable ward
18identification, shall be sufficient. Ballot card envelopes
19used in punch card systems shall be of paper through which no
20writing or punches may be discerned and shall be of sufficient
21length to enclose all voting positions. However, the election
22authority may provide ballot card envelopes on which no
23precinct number or township, ward or other election district
24designation, or election date are preprinted, if space and a
25preprinted form are provided below the space provided for the
26names of write-in candidates where such information may be

 

 

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1entered by the judges of election. Whenever an election
2authority utilizes ballot card envelopes on which the election
3date and precinct is not preprinted, a judge of election shall
4mark such information for the particular precinct and election
5on the envelope in ink before tallying and counting any
6write-in vote written thereon. If some method of insuring
7ballot secrecy other than an envelope is used, such information
8must be provided on the ballot itself.
9    (e) In the designation of the name of a candidate on the
10ballot, the candidate's given name or names, initial or
11initials, a nickname by which the candidate is commonly known,
12or a combination thereof, may be used in addition to the
13candidate's surname. If a candidate has changed his or her
14name, whether by a statutory or common law procedure in
15Illinois or any other jurisdiction, within 3 years before the
16last day for filing the petition for nomination, nomination
17papers, or certificate of nomination for that office, whichever
18is applicable, then (i) the candidate's name on the ballot must
19be followed by "formerly known as (list all prior names during
20the 3-year period) until name changed on (list date of each
21such name change)" and (ii) the petition, papers, or
22certificate must be accompanied by the candidate's affidavit
23stating the candidate's previous names during the period
24specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those names was
25changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds
26for denying certification of the candidate's name for the

 

 

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1ballot or removing the candidate's name from the ballot, as
2appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name
3changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent's
4or parents' surname, marriage or civil union to assume a
5spouse's surname, or dissolution of marriage or civil union or
6declaration of invalidity of marriage or civil union to assume
7a former surname or a name change that conforms the candidate's
8name to his or her gender identity. No other designation such
9as a political slogan, title, or degree or nickname suggesting
10or implying possession of a title, degree or professional
11status, or similar information may be used in connection with
12the candidate's surname. For purposes of this Section, a
13"political slogan" is defined as any word or words expressing
14or connoting a position, opinion, or belief that the candidate
15may espouse, including but not limited to, any word or words
16conveying any meaning other than that of the personal identity
17of the candidate. A candidate may not use a political slogan as
18part of his or her name on the ballot, notwithstanding that the
19political slogan may be part of the candidate's name.
20    (f) The State Board of Elections, a local election
21official, or an election authority shall remove any candidate's
22name designation from a ballot that is inconsistent with
23subsection (e) of this Section. In addition, the State Board of
24Elections, a local election official, or an election authority
25shall not certify to any election authority any candidate name
26designation that is inconsistent with subsection (e) of this

 

 

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1Section.
2    (g) If the State Board of Elections, a local election
3official, or an election authority removes a candidate's name
4designation from a ballot under subsection (f) of this Section,
5then the aggrieved candidate may seek appropriate relief in
6circuit court.
7    Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are
8used, the provisions of this Section may be modified as
9required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever
10is applicable.
11    Nothing in this Section shall prohibit election
12authorities from using or reusing ballot card envelopes which
13were printed before the effective date of this amendatory Act
14of 1985.
15(Source: P.A. 94-1090, eff. 6-1-07; 95-699, eff. 11-9-07;
1695-862, eff. 8-19-08.)