10 ILCS 5/ Election Code.

(10 ILCS 5/7-18) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-18)

Sec. 7-18. The primary ballot of each political party shall be separately printed upon paper of uniform quality, texture and size, but the primary ballot of no two political parties shall be of the same color or tint.

The election authority shall, at least 15 days prior to the date of the primary, post in a conspicuous place in his office an announcement of the color of the primary ballots of the respective parties, and, in the case of the general primary, shall also publish such announcement for at least 1 week in at least 2 newspapers of general circulation published in the county. In the case of the consolidated primary, the election authority shall publish such announcement at the same time and in the manner provided for notice of the consolidated primary in Section 7-15 of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 81-963.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-19) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-19)

Sec. 7-19. The primary ballot of each political party for each precinct shall be arranged and printed substantially in the manner following:

1. Designating words. At the top of the ballot shall be printed in large capital letters, words designating the ballot, if a Republican ballot, the designating words shall be: "REPUBLICAN PRIMARY BALLOT"; if a Democratic ballot the designating words shall be: "DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY BALLOT"; and in like manner for each political party.

2. Order of Names, Directions to Voters, etc. Beginning not less than one inch below designating words, the name of each office to be filled shall be printed in capital letters. Such names may be printed on the ballot either in a single column or in 2 or more columns and in the following order, to-wit:

President of the United States, State offices, congressional offices, delegates and alternate delegates to be elected from the State at large to National nominating conventions, delegates and alternate delegates to be elected from congressional districts to National nominating conventions, member or members of the State central committee, trustees of sanitary districts, county offices, judicial officers, city, village and incorporated town offices, town offices, or of such of the said offices as candidates are to be nominated for at such primary, and precinct, township or ward committeepersons. If two or more columns are used, the foregoing offices to and including member of the State central committee shall be listed in the left-hand column and Senatorial offices, as defined in Section 8-3, shall be the first offices listed in the second column.

Below the name of each office shall be printed in small letters the directions to voters: "Vote for one"; "Vote for not more than two"; "Vote for not more than three". If no candidate or candidates file for an office and if no person or persons file a declaration as a write-in candidate for that office, then below the title of that office the election authority instead shall print "No Candidate".

Next to the name of each candidate for delegate or alternate delegate to a national nominating convention shall appear either (a) the name of the candidate's preference for President of the United States or the word "uncommitted" or (b) no official designation, depending upon the action taken by the State central committee pursuant to Section 7-10.3 of this Act.

Below the name of each office shall be printed in capital letters the names of all candidates, arranged in the order in which their petitions for nominations were filed, except as otherwise provided in Sections 7-14 and 7-17 of this Article. Opposite and in front of the name of each candidate shall be printed a square and all squares upon the primary ballot shall be of uniform size. The names of each team of candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, however, shall be printed within a bracket, and a single square shall be printed in front of the bracket. Spaces between the names of candidates under each office shall be uniform and sufficient spaces shall separate the names of candidates for one office from the names of candidates for another office, to avoid confusion and to permit the writing in of the names of other candidates.

Where voting machines or electronic voting systems are used, the provisions of this Section may be modified as required or authorized by Article 24 or Article 24A, whichever is applicable.

(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-20) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-20)

Sec. 7-20. On the back or outside of the primary ballot of each precinct, so as to appear when folded, shall be printed the words "Primary Ballot," followed by designation of said precinct, the date of the primary and a facsimile of the signature of the election authority who furnished the ballots.

(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-21) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-21)

Sec. 7-21. The election authority shall transmit or cause to be delivered to the primary judges, and to the respective local election officials prior to the consolidated primary, specimen ballots of each political party, substantially in the form of the official primary ballots, to be used at such primary, which specimen ballot shall be printed upon paper of a different texture and color from the official primary ballot. In units of local government having fewer than 500,000 inhabitants the election authority shall have published in two or more newspapers published in the county, municipality or town, as the case may be, or if there is no such newspaper, then in any two or more newspapers published in the county and having general circulation throughout the community, at least 5 days prior to the general primary, a true copy of the specimen ballot, and the primary judges shall post one of each such specimen ballots at the polling place. In counties, municipalities or towns having 500,000 or more inhabitants the primary judges shall post not less than 5 of each such specimen ballots in the precinct, and one of each such specimen ballots at the polling place. For the consolidated primary, the local election official shall have the duty to make such publication with respect to the ballots for his unit of local government, and may make his publication as part of the announcement heretofore required.

(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-22) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-22)

Sec. 7-22. Primary ballot boxes shall be furnished by the same authorities and in the same manner and shall be of the same style and description as ballot boxes furnished for the purpose of general elections, under the provisions of this Act.

(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-23) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-23)

Sec. 7-23. All necessary primary poll books, official poll records, tally sheets, return blanks, stationery and other necessary primary supplies shall be furnished by the same authorities upon whom is imposed the duty of furnishing such supplies at general elections, by this Act.

(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-24) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-24)

Sec. 7-24. The primary poll books shall be substantially in the following form:

Primary poll books of the primary held in the .... precinct of the county of .... on (insert date).

This is to certify that the above and foregoing is a correct list of primary voters at a primary held on (insert date) in the .... precinct, in .... county, and State of Illinois. That at the primary the undersigned judges served as required by law and are entitled to pay therefor.

Dated (insert date).

............................ ............................

............................ ............................

............................ ............................

Judges of primary

The primary poll books shall otherwise be in form and shall contain the same certificates as nearly as may be as the poll books used in the general election and shall be signed and attested in the same manner, as nearly as may be, as the poll books used for the purpose of general elections. If Article 4, 5 or 6 of this Act applies to any such primary the official poll record provided for in such applicable Article shall be used in lieu of poll books.

(Source: P.A. 91-357, eff. 7-29-99.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-25) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-25)

Sec. 7-25. The tally sheets for each political party participating in the primary election shall be substantially in the following form:

"Tally sheet for ....(name of political party) for the .... precinct, in the county of .... for a primary held on the .... day of .... A.D. ....."

The names of candidates for nomination and for State central committeepersons, township, and precinct and ward committeepersons, and delegates and alternate delegates to National nominating conventions, shall be placed on the tally sheets of each political party by the primary judges, in the order in which they appear on the ballot.

(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-26) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-26)

Sec. 7-26. The judges of general elections for state and county officers are hereby constituted the judges of primary elections in their respective precincts, under the provisions of this Article.

(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-27) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-27)

Sec. 7-27. It is hereby made the duty of the respective judges of general elections to act as judges of primary elections in their respective precincts until their successors, as judges of general elections, are duly appointed and qualified.

(Source: Laws 1943, vol. 2, p. 1.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-28) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-28)

Sec. 7-28. If, at the time for opening of a primary, one of the primary judges be absent, or refuse to act, the judges present shall appoint some qualified primary elector of the precinct to act in his place. If two of the primary judges be absent or refuse to act, the judge present shall fill the vacancies in the same manner, as above provided. If all of the primary judges be absent, or refuse to act, the primary electors present, who reside in the precinct, shall select the appropriate number of themselves to act as primary judges. The judges so selected and appointed shall take the same oath, have the same powers, and perform the same duties and be subject to the same penalties as regularly constituted election judges.

(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-30) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-30)

Sec. 7-30. Previous to any vote being taken, the primary judges shall severally subscribe and take an oath or affirmation in the following form, to-wit:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and will faithfully and honestly discharge the duties of primary judge, according to the best of my ability, and that I have resided in this State for 30 days, (and only in the case of a primary judge in counties of less than 500,000 inhabitants, have resided in this precinct for the 30 days next preceding this primary), (and in the case of a registered voter, am entitled to vote at this primary)."

All persons subscribing the oath and all persons actually serving as primary judges, whether sworn or not, shall be deemed to be and are hereby declared to be officers of the circuit court of their respective counties.

(Source: P.A. 91-352, eff. 1-1-00; 92-16, eff. 6-28-01.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-31) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-31)

Sec. 7-31. In case there is no notary public present at the opening of a primary, or in case such notary public is appointed one of the primary judges, the primary judges may administer the oath or affirmation to each other.

(Source: Laws 1963, p. 1135.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-32) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-32)

Sec. 7-32. The primary judges, except as otherwise provided in this article, shall perform the same duties, have the same powers, and be subject to the same penalties as judges of general elections under this Act.

(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-33) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-33)

Sec. 7-33. Primary judges shall receive the same pay, and shall be paid by the same authorities and in the same manner as judges of general elections under this Act.

(Source: Laws 1957, p. 1450.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-34) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-34)

Sec. 7-34. Pollwatchers in a primary election shall be authorized in the following manner:

(1) Each established political party shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. Such pollwatchers must be affiliated with the political party for which they are pollwatching and must be a registered voter in Illinois.

(2) Each candidate shall be entitled to appoint two pollwatchers per precinct. For Federal, State, county, township, and municipal primary elections, the pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(3) Each organization of citizens within the county or political subdivision, which has among its purposes or interests the investigation or prosecution of election frauds, and which shall have registered its name and address and the names and addresses of its principal officers with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the primary election, shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. For all primary elections, the pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(3.5) Each State nonpartisan civic organization within the county or political subdivision shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct, provided that no more than 2 pollwatchers appointed by State nonpartisan civic organizations shall be present in a precinct polling place at the same time. Each organization shall have registered the names and addresses of its principal officers with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the primary election. The pollwatchers must be registered to vote in Illinois. For the purpose of this paragraph, a "State nonpartisan civic organization" means any corporation, unincorporated association, or organization that:

(i) as part of its written articles of incorporation, bylaws, or charter or by separate written declaration, has among its stated purposes the provision of voter information and education, the protection of individual voters' rights, and the promotion of free and equal elections;

(ii) is organized or primarily conducts its activities within the State of Illinois; and

(iii) continuously maintains an office or business location within the State of Illinois, together with a current listed telephone number (a post office box number without a current listed telephone number is not sufficient).

(4) Each organized group of proponents or opponents of a ballot proposition, which shall have registered the name and address of its organization or committee and the name and address of its chair with the proper election authority at least 40 days before the primary election, shall be entitled to appoint one pollwatcher per precinct. The pollwatcher must be registered to vote in Illinois.

(5) In any primary election held to nominate candidates for the offices of a municipality of less than 3,000,000 population that is situated in 2 or more counties, a pollwatcher who is a resident of a county in which any part of the municipality is situated shall be eligible to serve as a pollwatcher in any polling place located within such municipality, provided that such pollwatcher otherwise complies with the respective requirements of subsections (1) through (4) of this Section and is a registered voter whose residence is within Illinois.

All pollwatchers shall be required to have proper credentials. Such credentials shall be printed in sufficient quantities, shall be issued by and under the facsimile signature(s) of the election authority and shall be available for distribution at least 2 weeks prior to the election. Such credentials shall be authorized by the real or facsimile signature of the State or local party official or the candidate or the presiding officer of the civic organization or the chair of the proponent or opponent group, as the case may be.

Pollwatcher credentials shall be in substantially the following form:

POLLWATCHER CREDENTIALS TO THE JUDGES OF ELECTION:

In accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, the undersigned hereby appoints ........... (name of pollwatcher) at .......... (address) in the county of ..........., .......... (township or municipality) of ........... (name), State of Illinois and who is duly registered to vote from this address, to act as a pollwatcher in the ........... precinct of the .......... ward (if applicable) of the ........... (township or municipality) of ........... at the ........... election to be held on (insert date).

........................ (Signature of Appointing Authority)

........................ TITLE (party official, candidate,

civic organization president,

proponent or opponent group chair)

Under penalties provided by law pursuant to Section 29-10 of the Election Code, the undersigned pollwatcher certifies that he or she resides at .............. (address) in the county of ........., ......... (township or municipality) of .......... (name), State of Illinois, and is duly registered to vote in Illinois.

........................... ..........................

(Precinct and/or Ward in (Signature of Pollwatcher)

Which Pollwatcher Resides)

Pollwatchers must present their credentials to the Judges of Election upon entering the polling place. Pollwatcher credentials properly executed and signed shall be proof of the qualifications of the pollwatcher authorized thereby. Such credentials are retained by the Judges and returned to the Election Authority at the end of the day of election with the other election materials. Once a pollwatcher has surrendered a valid credential, he may leave and reenter the polling place provided that such continuing action does not disrupt the conduct of the election. Pollwatchers may be substituted during the course of the day, but established political parties, candidates, qualified civic organizations and proponents and opponents of a ballot proposition can have only as many pollwatchers at any given time as are authorized in this Article. A substitute must present his signed credential to the judges of election upon entering the polling place. Election authorities must provide a sufficient number of credentials to allow for substitution of pollwatchers. After the polls have closed, pollwatchers shall be allowed to remain until the canvass of votes is completed; but may leave and reenter only in cases of necessity, provided that such action is not so continuous as to disrupt the canvass of votes.

Candidates seeking office in a district or municipality encompassing 2 or more counties shall be admitted to any and all polling places throughout such district or municipality without regard to the counties in which such candidates are registered to vote. Actions of such candidates shall be governed in each polling place by the same privileges and limitations that apply to pollwatchers as provided in this Section. Any such candidate who engages in an activity in a polling place which could reasonably be construed by a majority of the judges of election as campaign activity shall be removed forthwith from such polling place.

Candidates seeking office in a district or municipality encompassing 2 or more counties who desire to be admitted to polling places on election day in such district or municipality shall be required to have proper credentials. Such credentials shall be printed in sufficient quantities, shall be issued by and under the facsimile signature of the election authority of the election jurisdiction where the polling place in which the candidate seeks admittance is located, and shall be available for distribution at least 2 weeks prior to the election. Such credentials shall be signed by the candidate.

Candidate credentials shall be in substantially the following form:

CANDIDATE CREDENTIALS TO THE JUDGES OF ELECTION:

In accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, I ...... (name of candidate) hereby certify that I am a candidate for ....... (name of office) and seek admittance to ....... precinct of the ....... ward (if applicable) of the ....... (township or municipality) of ....... at the ....... election to be held on (insert date).

......................... .......................

(Signature of Candidate) OFFICE FOR WHICH

CANDIDATE SEEKS

NOMINATION OR

ELECTION

Pollwatchers shall be permitted to observe all proceedings and view all reasonably requested records relating to the conduct of the election, provided the secrecy of the ballot is not impinged, and to station themselves in a position in the voting room as will enable them to observe the judges making the signature comparison between the voter application and the voter registration record card; provided, however, that such pollwatchers shall not be permitted to station themselves in such close proximity to the judges of election so as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election and shall not, in any event, be permitted to handle election materials. Pollwatchers may challenge for cause the voting qualifications of a person offering to vote and may call to the attention of the judges of election any incorrect procedure or apparent violations of this Code.

If a majority of the judges of election determine that the polling place has become too overcrowded with pollwatchers so as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election, the judges shall, by lot, limit such pollwatchers to a reasonable number, except that each candidate and each established or new political party shall be permitted to have at least one pollwatcher present.

Representatives of an election authority, with regard to an election under its jurisdiction, the State Board of Elections, and law enforcement agencies, including but not limited to a United States Attorney, a State's attorney, the Attorney General, and a State, county, or local police department, in the performance of their official election duties, shall be permitted at all times to enter and remain in the polling place. Upon entering the polling place, such representatives shall display their official credentials or other identification to the judges of election.

Uniformed police officers assigned to polling place duty shall follow all lawful instructions of the judges of election.

The provisions of this Section shall also apply to supervised casting of vote by mail ballots as provided in Section 19-12.2 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-1027, eff. 1-1-19.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-35) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-35)

Sec. 7-35. The election authority shall cause to be delivered to the primary judges of each precinct not less than 12 hours before the time fixed for the opening of the polls, the official primary ballot of each political party, and the number thereof for each political party in each precinct shall be 100 for each 50 votes cast in said precinct by said political party at the last preceding general primary election.

(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-36) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-36)

Sec. 7-36. The official primary ballots shall be put in separate sealed packages with marks on the outside thereof clearly designating the precinct for which they are intended, and the number of ballots enclosed for each political party and a receipt therefor shall be given by the primary judge to whom such ballots are delivered, which receipt shall be filed by the proper election authority in his office.

(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)

(10 ILCS 5/7-37) (from Ch. 46, par. 7-37)

Sec. 7-37. The election authority shall provide and retain in his office until after the primary, an ample supply of extra primary ballots for each political party in each precinct, and if, at any time before or during the primary, ballots of any precinct shall be lost, destroyed or exhausted, on written application, signed by the primary judges of said precinct, or any of them, he shall immediately cause to be delivered to said primary judges such supply of extra ballots as may be required to comply with the provision of this article.

(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)