ISG.01.22
Month Day, Year
Authors: Senator Walter Lindwall
Sponsors: Senator Vikram Sardana, Senator Sullivan Peterson-Quinn, Senator Jonathan Heideman, Senator Scott Greene, Senator Isabelle Ausdal, Senator & CIMSA Chair Tara Chattoraj, Senator Elana Blinder, Senator Natalie O’Callaghan
Endorsements: Student Body President Raneem Shamseldin, Chief of Staff Spencer Haydary, Illini Democrats, Illini Republicans, Illini Young Green Party, Illini Progressives, Common Cause at UIUC, League of Women Voters UIUC
Be It Enacted by the Illinois Student Government, an Act
Alterations to Voter Information and Registration Policy For University of Illinois Administration
WHEREAS, the ability to vote in an election represents the most direct and feasible action that a United States citizen can take to participate in all levels of our government and is a cornerstone of the democracy our nation was founded upon; and,
WHEREAS, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is home to thousands of eligible voters in U.S. elections, many of which are migrant students who move between local residences frequently, placing a burden on the need to update this information with the County Clerk; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 1094(a)(23)(a) of the United States Higher Education Act of 1965 (the “HEA”)[1]:
[an] institution, if located in a State to which section 20503(b) of title 52 does not apply, will make a good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form, requested and received from the State, to each student enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution, and to make such forms widely available to students at the institution. ; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 1A-17 of Illinois Election Code[2]:
- The Secretary of State, the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Public Aid, the Department of Employment Security, and each public institution of higher learning in Illinois must make available on its World Wide Web site a downloadable, printable voter registration form that complies with the requirements in subsection (d) of Section 1A-16 for the State Board of Elections' voter registration form.
- Each public institution of higher learning in Illinois must include voter registration information and a voter registration form supplied by the State Board of Elections under subsection (e) of Section 1A-16 in any mailing of student registration materials to an address located in Illinois. Each public institution of higher learning must provide voter registration information and a voter registration form supplied by the State Board of Elections under subsection (e) of Section 1A-16 to each person with whom the institution conducts in-person student registration. ; and,
WHEREAS, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has failed to comply with Section 1A-17 of Illinois Election Code by not providing basic voter registration materials at illinois.edu and/or information on upcoming elections or how to register; and,
WHEREAS, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has failed to comply with Section 1094(a)(23)(a) of the HEA by not making a good faith effort to provide voter registration materials to students in any feasible way, shape, or form, additionally, not sending any form of massmail regarding election dates or registration information in reference to the most recent elections; and,
WHEREAS, other public institutions, such as the University of Minnesota[3], the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor[4], the University of Wisconsin- Madison[5], and The Ohio State University[6], have made these policies standard practices for their administration; and,
WHEREAS, voting in an election should be made as easy as possible for the voter, which the student government has an ability to facilitate in service of the body that elects them; therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Senate request that the Student Body President meet with the Vice Chancellor in order to implement a downloadable and printable voter registration form, a link to Illinois online voter registration, and other relevant yearly election information on the University’s primary website.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Student Body President request the Vice Chancellor include voter registration forms provided by the Champaign County Clerk in welcome packets, housing packets, and summer registration packets.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Student Body President direct the Vice Chancellor to make it a standard practice to send a massmail to the student body in advance and on the day of any and all primary, general, midterm, municipal, and special elections conducted in the campus area to inform the students of its occurrence and provide information on registration deadlines and the location and hours of campus polling places.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Illinois Student Government take any and all actions necessary to facilitate student voting opportunities, including providing relevant information through the senate listserv and its social media accounts, as well as including a link to Illinois’s online voter registration on the Illinois Student Government Website, and any other resources the executive deems fit.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Provost, the Daily Illini, the News Gazette, WILL-Radio, and Smile Politely, and any other outlets that the Executive deems necessary.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Executive branch of the Illinois Student Government take any actions necessary and proper to fulfill the full implementation of this act.
Certificates
The Speaker of the Senate hereby certifies that this Act is a true and final reflection of the business of the Senate belonging to the permanent record of the Illinois Student Government
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SPEAKER’S SIGNATURE DATE
The Director of the Senate hereby certifies that this Act was adopted or defeated at a duly called meeting of the Senate with a quorum present through all stages of consideration and that the final vote on the question of adoption of this act was:
_____ YEA _____ NAY _____ PRESENT
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DIRECTOR’S SIGNATURE DATE
The President of the Illinois Student Government hereby certifies receipt of this Act
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PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE DATE
The Below Shall be Completed Only for Acts Requiring the Approval of the President
I hereby APPROVE / OBJECT to the adoption of this act (Circle One)
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PRESIDENT’S SIGNATURE DATE