Attorney General Kwame Raoul urged Illinois voters on Mar. 10 to be aware of their voting rights as early voting continues for the March 17 general primary election. Raoul encouraged residents to make a plan to vote in person or use a drop box, emphasizing the importance of ensuring every vote is counted.
The reminder comes as concerns grow about voter suppression and misinformation, especially with recent changes affecting mail-in ballot postmarks. Raoul said, “On Friday, I attended the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.’s memorial and was fortunate to honor his life spent fighting oppression and to increase voter participation. Friday was also the 15th anniversary of the Illinois Voting Rights Act, a law I am proud to have sponsored as a member of the Illinois Senate. The fight Rev. Jackson and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. began for civil rights is by no means over. Civil rights are again under attack, which is why it was particularly meaningful for me to mark the anniversary of Bloody Sunday by joining members of the Jackson family and hundreds of civil rights leaders in Selma to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge.” He continued, “As voters rights around the nation are threatened by efforts to suppress votes, we must honor the legacies of Rev. Jackson and Dr. King by recommitting ourselves to protecting the right to vote and fighting voter suppression… As Attorney General, I am urging voters to know their rights and to make a voting plan that ensures their vote will be counted.”
Early voting began in February and runs through March 16, allowing any registered voter in Illinois to cast a ballot before Election Day without providing a reason. Voters can also request mail-in ballots up until March 12; however, due to new U.S. Postal Service postmark procedures effective since December, ballots dropped off at postal locations on or near Election Day may not receive timely postmarks—potentially disqualifying them if not postmarked by midnight on Election Day. Raoul advised voters using mail-in ballots close to Election Day to request manual postmarks or use official drop boxes instead.
Illinois law prohibits anyone from attempting to influence voters within 100 feet of polling places or from preventing someone from voting through intimidation or deception. The Attorney General’s office has released resources such as its 2024 Voter Misinformation Guide addressing artificial intelligence-generated misinformation about elections and candidates.
Raoul’s office provides election monitors statewide on Election Day and offers hotlines for reporting suspected violations or accessibility issues at polling places. The Attorney General advocated for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors, according to the official website. The office handled thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website, aimed at protecting consumers, promoting safer communities and advocating for environmental and rights issues according to its official website. Its advocacy extends across Illinois according to its official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies in support of crime victims while promoting open government according to its official website. Services include complaint filing related to consumer fraud and civil rights according to its official website.
Looking ahead, Raoul encouraged all eligible voters: “Know the basics about elections in Illinois, and have your own plan to vote… If you see something on Election Day report it.”
