Illinois 2025-2026 Regular Session

Illinois Senate Bill SJRCA0005

Introduced
2/7/25  

Caption

CONAMEND-VOTING QUALIFICATION

Summary

SJRCA0005 is a proposed Illinois constitutional amendment that would revise the state’s voting-qualification language in Article III, Section 1. It states that every U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old, or who has reached any other voting age required by federal law, and who has been a permanent resident of Illinois for at least 30 days before an election, has the right to vote in that election. The proposal also preserves the General Assembly’s authority to set registration requirements and to require up to 30 days of residence in an election district, while allowing shorter residence requirements for presidential and vice-presidential elections. Because it is a constitutional amendment resolution, the measure would not itself change election law immediately; instead, it would place the proposed language before voters for approval or rejection at a general election occurring at least six months after adoption of the resolution. If approved, it would alter the Illinois Constitution’s suffrage provisions and could affect how voter eligibility and residency requirements are framed in state law, while still leaving room for statutory registration rules. The available record shows little formal legislative activity beyond introduction, with no committee transcript and no recorded votes. As a result, there is no documented floor debate or committee sentiment in the materials provided. The bill’s caption and text indicate a straightforward election-law proposal, but the absence of action suggests it had not yet advanced into a contested stage in the legislative process. There are no recorded points of contention in the provided context, but the substance of the amendment suggests potential debate over voter eligibility, residency requirements, and the balance between constitutional voting rights and legislative authority over election administration. Any disagreement would likely center on whether the proposed language clarifies existing law or meaningfully changes who may vote and under what residency standards.

Impact

If adopted by voters, the resolution would amend the Illinois Constitution’s Suffrage and Elections Article to define voting qualifications in constitutional text and to authorize the General Assembly to set registration rules and limited district-residency requirements. It would affect election administration, voter eligibility standards, and related statutes governing registration and residency, while preserving a specific exception for presidential and vice-presidential elections.

Sentiment

The provided materials show no committee discussion, no recorded votes, and no formal action history, so there is no measurable legislative sentiment in the record. Based on the text alone, the proposal appears to be a direct constitutional election-law amendment rather than a broad policy package, and the available context does not indicate support or opposition from members.

Contention

No explicit points of contention appear in the supplied transcripts or vote history because none are provided. Substantively, the likely areas of debate would be the 30-day residency requirement, the scope of the General Assembly’s authority to impose registration and district-residency rules, and whether the amendment is intended to clarify or change existing voting rights under the Illinois Constitution.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IL SJRCA0007

CONAMEND-VOTING QUALIFICATION

IL HJRCA0004

CONAMEND-RECALL OFFICIALS

IL SJRCA0002

CONAMEND-BUDGET FIRST

IL HJRCA0012

CONAMEND-LEG REDISTRICTING

IL HJRCA0009

CONAMEND-OFFICE OF COMPTROLLER

IL HJRCA0025

CONAMEND-RECALL OFFICIALS

IL SJRCA0008

CONAMEND-INDEP REDIST

IL HJRCA0014

CONAMEND-DATE OF ELECTIONS

IL HB289

Regarding domicile qualifications for voting.

IL HB289

regarding domicile qualifications for voting.

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