2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes › Chapter 10 - ELECTIONS › 10 ILCS 5/ - Election Code. › Article 16 - Ballots

(10 ILCS 5/Art. 16 heading)
ARTICLE 16.  
		BALLOTS
(10 ILCS 5/16-1) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-1)
Sec. 16-1. 
		
		In all elections hereafter to be held in this state for
public officers, the voting shall be by ballots
printed and distributed at public expense as provided in this article
and no other ballots shall be used.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-3) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-3)
Sec. 16-3. (a) The names of all candidates to be voted for in each
election district or precinct shall be printed on one ballot, except as
is provided in Sections 16-6, 16-6.1, and 21-1.01 of this Code and except as otherwise
provided in this Code with respect to the odd year regular elections and
the emergency referenda. The lettering of candidate names on a ballot shall be in both capital and lowercase letters in conformance with standard English language guidelines, unless compliance is not feasible due to the election system utilized by the election authority. All nominations
of any political party shall be placed under the party appellation or title
of such party as designated in the certificates of nomination or
petitions. The names of all independent candidates shall be printed upon
the ballot in a column or columns under the heading "independent"
arranged under the names or titles of the respective offices for which
such independent candidates shall have been nominated and so far as
practicable, the name or names of any independent candidate or
candidates for any office shall be printed upon the ballot opposite the
name or names of any candidate or candidates for the same office
contained in any party column or columns upon said ballot. The ballot
shall contain no other names, except that in cases of electors for
President and Vice-President of the United States, the names of the
candidates for President and Vice-President may be added to the party
designation and words calculated to aid the voter in his choice of candidates
may be added, such as "Vote for one," "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". When an electronic
voting system is used which utilizes a ballot label booklet, the candidates
and questions shall appear on the pages of such booklet in the order
provided by this Code; and, in any case where candidates for an office
appear on a page which does not contain the name of any candidate for
another office, and where less than 50% of the page is utilized, the name of
no candidate shall be printed on the lowest 25% of such page. On the back or
outside of the ballot, so as to appear when folded, shall be printed the words
"Official Ballot", followed by the designation of the polling place for
which the ballot is prepared, the date of the election and a facsimile
of the signature of the election authority who has caused the ballots to
be printed. The ballots shall be of plain white paper, through which the
printing or writing cannot be read. However, ballots for use at the
nonpartisan and consolidated elections may be printed on different color
paper, except blue paper, whenever necessary or desirable to facilitate
distinguishing between ballots for different political subdivisions. In
the case of nonpartisan elections for officers of a political
subdivision, unless the statute or an ordinance adopted pursuant to
Article VII of the Constitution providing the form of government
therefor requires otherwise, the column listing such nonpartisan
candidates shall be printed with no appellation or circle at its head.
The party appellation or title, or the word "independent" at the head of
any column provided for independent candidates, shall be printed in letters not less than one-fourth of an inch in height
and a
circle one-half inch in diameter shall be printed at the beginning of
the line in which such appellation or title is printed, provided,
however, that no such circle shall be printed at the head of any column
or columns provided for such independent candidates. The names of
candidates shall be printed in letters not less than one-eighth
nor more than one-fourth of an inch in height, and at the beginning of
each line in which a name of a candidate is printed a square shall be
printed, the sides of which shall be not less than one-fourth of an inch
in length. However, the names of the candidates for Governor and
Lieutenant Governor on the same ticket shall be printed within a bracket
and a single square shall be printed in front of the bracket. The list
of candidates of the several parties and any such list of independent
candidates shall be placed in separate columns on the ballot in such
order as the election authorities charged with the printing of the
ballots shall decide; provided, that the names of the candidates of the
several political parties, certified by the State Board of Elections to
the several county clerks shall be printed by the county clerk of the
proper county on the official ballot in the order certified by the State
Board of Elections. Any county clerk refusing, neglecting or failing to
print on the official ballot the names of candidates of the several
political parties in the order certified by the State Board of
Elections, and any county clerk who prints or causes to be printed upon
the official ballot the name of a candidate, for an office to be filled
by the Electors of the entire State, whose name has not been duly
certified to him upon a certificate signed by the State Board of
Elections shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.
(b) When an electronic voting system is used which utilizes a ballot
card,
on the inside flap of each ballot card envelope there shall be printed
a form for write-in voting which shall be substantially as follows:
WRITE-IN VOTES
(See card of instructions for specific information. Duplicate form below
by hand for additional write-in votes.)
.............................
Title of Office
(   ) .............................
Name of Candidate
Write-in lines equal to  the number of candidates for which a voter may vote shall be printed for an office only if one or more persons filed declarations of intent to be write-in candidates or qualify to file declarations to be write-in candidates under Sections 17-16.1 and 18-9.1 when the certification of ballot contains the words "OBJECTION PENDING".
(c) When an electronic voting system is used which uses a ballot sheet,
the
instructions to voters on the ballot sheet shall refer the voter to the
card of instructions for specific information on write-in voting. Below
each office appearing on such ballot sheet there shall be a provision for
the casting of a write-in vote. Write-in lines equal to  the number of candidates for which a voter may vote shall be printed for an office only if one or more persons filed declarations of intent to be write-in candidates or qualify to file declarations to be write-in candidates under Sections 17-16.1 and 18-9.1 when the certification of ballot contains the words "OBJECTION PENDING".
(d) When such electronic system is used, there shall be printed on the
back of each ballot card, each ballot card envelope, and
the first page of the ballot label when a ballot label is used, the
words "Official Ballot," followed by the number of the
precinct or other precinct identification, which may be stamped, in lieu
thereof and, as applicable, the number and name of the township, ward
or other election district for which the ballot card, ballot card
envelope, and ballot label are prepared, the date of the election and a
facsimile of the signature of the election authority who has caused the
ballots to be printed.  The back of the ballot card shall also include
a method of identifying the ballot configuration such as a listing of the
political subdivisions and districts for which votes may be cast on that
ballot, or a number code identifying the ballot configuration or color coded
ballots, except that where there is only one ballot configuration in a
precinct, the precinct identification, and any applicable ward
identification, shall be sufficient.  Ballot card envelopes used in punch
card systems shall be of paper through which no writing or punches may be
discerned and shall be of sufficient length to enclose all voting
positions.  However, the election authority may provide
ballot card envelopes on which no precinct number or township, ward or
other election district designation, or election date are preprinted, if
space and a preprinted form are provided below the space provided for
the names of write-in candidates where such information may be entered
by the judges of election.  Whenever an election authority utilizes
ballot card envelopes on which the election date and precinct is not
preprinted, a judge of election shall mark such information for the
particular precinct and election on the envelope in ink before tallying
and counting any write-in vote written thereon.
If some method of insuring ballot secrecy other than an envelope is used,
such information must be provided on the ballot itself.
(e) In the designation of the name of a candidate on the ballot, the
candidate's given name or names, initial or initials, a nickname by
which the candidate is commonly known, or a combination thereof, may be
used in addition to the candidate's surname. If a candidate has changed his or her name, whether by a statutory or common law procedure in Illinois or any other jurisdiction, within 3 years before the last day for filing the petition for nomination, nomination papers, or certificate of nomination for that office, whichever is applicable, then (i) the candidate's name on the ballot must be followed by "formerly known as (list all prior names during the 3-year period) until name changed on (list date of each such name change)" and (ii) the petition, papers, or certificate must be accompanied by the candidate's affidavit stating the candidate's previous names during the period specified in (i) and the date or dates each of those names was changed; failure to meet these requirements shall be grounds for denying certification of the candidate's name for the ballot or removing the candidate's name from the ballot, as appropriate, but these requirements do not apply to name changes resulting from adoption to assume an adoptive parent's or parents' surname, marriage or civil union to assume a spouse's surname, or dissolution of marriage or civil union or declaration of invalidity of marriage or civil union to assume a former surname or a name change that conforms the candidate's name to his or her gender identity. No other designation such
as a political slogan, title, or degree or nickname suggesting or
implying possession of a
title, degree or professional status, or similar information may be used
in connection with the candidate's surname.
For purposes of this Section, a "political slogan" is defined as any
word or words expressing or connoting a position, opinion, or belief that the
candidate may espouse, including, but not limited to, any word or words
conveying any meaning other than that of the personal identity of the
candidate. A
candidate may not use a political slogan as part of his or her name on the
ballot, notwithstanding that the political slogan may be part of the
candidate's name.
(f) The State Board of Elections, a local election official, or an
election
authority shall remove any candidate's name designation from a ballot that is
inconsistent with subsection (e) of this Section. In addition, the State Board
of Elections, a local election official, or an election authority shall not
certify to any election authority any candidate name designation that is
inconsistent with subsection (e) of this Section.
(g) If the State Board of Elections, a local election official, or an
election
authority removes a candidate's name designation from a ballot under
subsection (f) of this Section, then the aggrieved candidate may seek
appropriate relief in circuit court.
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.
Nothing in this Section shall prohibit election authorities from using
or reusing ballot card envelopes which were printed before January 1, 1986 (the effective
date of Public Act 84-820).
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23; 103-467, eff. 8-4-23.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-4.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-4.1)
Sec. 16-4.1. 
		Ballots; Form; Consolidated Elections. 
		This Section shall
apply only to the consolidated primary election, and the consolidated election,
except as otherwise expressly provided herein.
The ballot for the nomination or election of officers of each political
subdivision shall be considered a separate ballot, and candidates for such
offices shall be grouped together.  Where paper ballots are used, the names
of candidates for nomination or election to more than one political subdivision
may be contained on a common ballot, provided that such ballot clearly
indicates and separates each political subdivision from which such officers
are to be nominated or elected.
At the consolidated election, the ballot for school
district offices shall
precede the ballot for community college district offices, and thereafter
the ballot order of the political subdivision officers to be elected shall
be as determined by the election authority.  In the case of school districts
other than community consolidated school districts, the ballot for non-high
school district offices shall precede the ballot for high school district
offices.
At the consolidated primary and at the consolidated election, the ballot
for nomination or election of municipal officers shall precede the ballot
for township officers.  At the consolidated election, following the ballot
for municipal and township offices shall be the ballots for park district
and library district offices, following which shall be the ballots for other
political subdivision offices in the order determined by the election authority.
The election authority, in determining the order of ballot placement for
offices of political subdivisions whose ballot placement is not specified
in this Section, shall give due regard to the clarity of the ballot presentation
to the voters, cost and administrative ease, and the requirement to provide
separate ballot formats within precincts in which the electors are not entitled
to vote for the same offices or propositions.  At the request of a political
subdivision which extends into more than one election jurisdiction, the
election authority shall endeavor to coordinate placement and color of the
ballot for such subdivision with the other election authorities responsible
for preparing ballots for such subdivision election.  The election authority
may conduct a lottery to determine the order of ballot placement of political
subdivision ballots where such order is not specified in this Section.
Such lottery may be conducted jointly by two or more
election authorities.
(Source: P.A. 89-700, eff. 1-17-97; 90-358, eff. 1-1-98;
90-655, eff. 7-30-98.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-5) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-5)
Sec. 16-5. 
		
		For all elections to which this article applies, the
county clerks, in their respective counties, shall have charge of the
printing of the ballots for all elections, including referenda,
and shall furnish
them to the judges of election.
In municipalities and counties having a board of election commissioners, such board
shall have charge
of the printing of the ballots and furnish them to the judges of
election within the territory under their jurisdiction. Ballots shall be
printed and in possession of the respective election authorities
at least two days before each election and subject to the inspection of
candidates and their agents; if any mistakes be discovered they shall be
corrected without delay. The election authority shall cause to be delivered
to the judges of election at the
polling place of each precinct or district, not less than twelve hours
before the time fixed by law for the opening of the polls therein, at
least 10% more ballots of the kind to be voted in such precinct or
district than the number of voters registered therein for the purposes
of such election, such ballots shall be put up in separate sealed
packages, with marks on the outside clearly designating the polling
place for which they are intended and the number of ballots enclosed,
and receipt therefor shall be given by the judges of election to whom
they are delivered, which receipt shall be preserved by the election authority.
The election authority shall provide
and retain at its office an ample supply of ballots, in
addition to those distributed to the several voting precincts or
districts, and if at any time on or before the day of election the
ballots furnished to any precinct shall be lost, destroyed or exhausted
before the polls are closed, on written application signed by a majority
of the judges he or they shall immediately cause to be delivered to such
judges at the polling place, such additional supply of ballots as may be
required and sufficient to comply with the provisions of this Act.
(Source: P.A. 80-1469.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-5.01) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-5.01)
Sec. 16-5.01. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this Code, the election authority shall, at least 46
days prior to the date of any election at which federal officers
are elected and 45 days prior to any other regular election, have a
sufficient number of ballots printed so that such ballots will be available
for mailing 45 days prior to the date of the election to persons who have
filed application for a ballot under the provisions of Article 20 of this Code.
(b) If at any election at which federal offices are elected
or nominated the election authority is unable to comply with the provisions
of subsection (a), the election authority shall mail to each such person, in
lieu of the ballot, a Special Write-in Vote by Mail Voter's Blank Ballot.
The Special Write-in Vote by Mail Voter's Blank Ballot shall be used at
all elections at which federal officers are elected or nominated and shall be
prepared by the election authority in substantially the following form:
Special Write-in Vote by Mail Voter's Blank Ballot
(To vote for a person, write the title of the office and his or her name
on the lines provided.  Place to the left of and opposite the title of
office a square and place a cross (X) in the square.)
Title of Office                 Name of Candidate
(    )
(    )
(    )
(    )
(    )
(    )
The election authority shall send with the Special Write-in Vote by Mail
Voter's Blank Ballot a list of all referenda for which the voter is qualified
to vote and all candidates for whom nomination papers have been filed and
for whom the voter is qualified to vote.  The voter shall be entitled to
write in the name of any candidate seeking
election and any referenda for which he or she is entitled to vote.
On the back or outside of the ballot, so as to appear when folded, shall
be printed the words "Official Ballot", the date of the election and a
facsimile of the signature of the election authority who has caused the
ballot to be printed.
The provisions of Article 20, insofar as they may be applicable to the
Special Write-in Vote by Mail Voter's Blank Ballot, shall be applicable herein.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this Code or other law

to the contrary, the governing body of a municipality may adopt, upon submission of a written statement by the municipality's election authority attesting to the administrative ability of the election authority to administer an election using a ranked ballot to the municipality's governing body,
an ordinance requiring, and that municipality's election

authority shall prepare, a ranked vote by mail ballot for

municipal and township office candidates to be voted on in the consolidated

election.

This ranked ballot shall be for use only by

a qualified voter who either is a member of the United States

military or will be outside of the United States on the

consolidated primary election day and the consolidated

election day. The ranked ballot shall contain a list of the

titles of all municipal and township offices potentially contested at both the consolidated

primary election and the consolidated election and the candidates for each office and shall

permit the elector to vote in the consolidated election by

indicating his or her order of preference for each candidate

for each office. To indicate his or her order of preference for

each candidate for each office, the voter shall put the number

one next to the name of the candidate who is the voter's first

choice, the number 2 for his or her second choice, and so forth

so that, in consecutive numerical order, a number indicating

the voter's preference is written by the voter next to each

candidate's name on the ranked ballot. The voter shall not be required

to indicate his or her preference for more than one candidate

on the ranked ballot. The voter may not cast a write-in vote using the ranked ballot for the consolidated election. The election authority shall, if using the

ranked vote by mail ballot authorized by this subsection, also

prepare instructions for use of the ranked ballot. The ranked ballot for the consolidated election shall be mailed to the voter at the same time that the ballot for the consolidated primary election is mailed to the voter and the election authority shall accept the completed ranked ballot for the consolidated election when the authority accepts the completed ballot for the consolidated primary election.
The voter shall also be sent a vote by mail ballot for the consolidated election for those races that are not related to the results of the consolidated primary election as soon as the consolidated election ballot is certified.
The State Board of Elections shall adopt rules for election

authorities for the implementation of this subsection,

including, but not limited to, the application for and counting

of ranked ballots.
(Source: P.A. 102-15, eff. 6-17-21; 103-154, eff. 6-30-23.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-6) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-6)
Sec. 16-6. 
Whenever one or more proposals for amendment of the
constitution or the calling of a constitutional convention or any
combination thereof is or are to be voted upon by the people, the
proposition or propositions for the adoption or rejection of such
amendment or amendments or convention shall be submitted upon the same "Official Ballot" containing the names of candidates
for State and other offices to be voted at such election. Such proposition or propositions shall be printed at the top of the "Official Ballot" preceding the names of candidates for State and other offices to be voted at such election. Such proposition or propositions shall be printed upon plain white paper with no shading, highlighting, or other distinct markings and shall include the official title of the section so named to be added or amended in the Constitution.  Preceding
each proposal to amend the constitution shall be printed the brief
explanation of the amendment, prepared by the General Assembly, or in the
case of a proposed amendment initiated by petition pursuant to Section
3 of Article XIV of the Constitution of the State of Illinois by the principal
proponents of the amendment as approved by the Attorney General, and
immediately below the explanation, the proposition shall be printed in
substantially the following form:
--------------------------------------------------------------
YES         For the proposed amendment
-----------     to Article ______ (or Section
NO       _______ of Article ______) of
the Constitution.
--------------------------------------------------------------
In the case of a proposition for the calling of a constitutional
convention, such proposition shall be printed in substantially the
following form:
--------------------------------------------------------------
YES            For the calling
-----------       of a Constitutional
NO         Convention.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Included with the ballot there 
shall be a printed notice with the words "CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT", followed by the
designation of the polling place for which the ballot is prepared, the
date of the election and a facsimile of the signature of the clerk or
other officer who has caused the ballots to be printed.  Immediately
above the words "CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT" in the case of a proposition for
the calling of a constitutional convention or a proposition to amend the Constitution the following legend shall be
printed in bold face type:
"NOTICE
THE FAILURE TO VOTE THIS BALLOT MAY BE THE EQUIVALENT OF A NEGATIVE VOTE, BECAUSE A CONVENTION SHALL BE CALLED OR THE AMENDMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE IF APPROVED BY EITHER THREE-FIFTHS OF THOSE VOTING ON THE QUESTION OR A MAJORITY OF THOSE VOTING IN THE ELECTION.
(THIS IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A DIRECTION THAT YOUR VOTE IS REQUIRED
TO BE CAST EITHER IN FAVOR OF OR IN OPPOSITION TO THE PROPOSITION HEREIN
CONTAINED.)
WHETHER YOU VOTE THIS BALLOT OR NOT YOU MUST RETURN IT TO THE
ELECTION JUDGE WHEN YOU LEAVE THE VOTING BOOTH".
If a proposition for the calling of a constitutional convention is
submitted at the same election as one or more propositions to amend the
constitution, the proposition for the calling of a constitutional
convention shall be printed at the top of the ballot.  In such case, the constitution amendment notice shall be printed the same as if it were a
proposal solely to amend the constitution.
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. 103-467, eff. 8-4-23.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-6.1) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-6.1)
Sec. 16-6.1. 
In elections held pursuant to the provisions of Section 12 of
Article VI of the Constitution relating to retention of judges in office,
the form of the proposition to be submitted for each candidate shall be
as provided in paragraph (1) or (2), as the election authority may choose.
(1) The names of all persons seeking retention in the     same office shall be listed, in the order provided in this Section, with one proposition that reads substantially as follows: "Shall each of the persons listed be retained in office as (insert name of office and court)?". To the right of each candidate's name must be places for the voter to mark "Yes" or "No".  If the list of candidates for retention in the same office exceeds one page of the ballot, the proposition must appear on each page upon which the list of candidates continues.
(2) The form of the proposition for each candidate     shall be substantially as follows:
------------------------------------------------------
Shall ....... (insert name           YES
of candidate) be retained in        ---------------
office as ..... (insert name           NO
of office and Court)?
------------------------------------------------------
The names of all candidates thus submitting their names for retention in
office in any particular judicial district or circuit shall appear on the
same ballot which shall be separate from all other ballots voted on at the
general election.
Propositions on Supreme Court judges, if any are seeking retention,
shall appear on the ballot in the first group, for judges of the Appellate
Court in the second group immediately under the first, and for circuit
judges in the last group.  The grouping of candidates for the same office
shall be preceded by a heading describing the office and the court.  If
there are two or more candidates for each office, the names of such
candidates in each group shall be listed in the order determined as
follows: The name of the person with the greatest length of time served in
the specified office of the specified court shall be listed first in each
group.  The rest of the names shall be listed in the appropriate order based
on the same seniority standard.  If two or more candidates for each office
have served identical periods of time in the specified office, such
candidates shall be listed alphabetically at the appropriate place in the
order of names based on seniority in the office as described.  Circuit
judges shall be credited for the purposes of this section with service as
associate judges prior to July 1, 1971 and with service on any court the
judges of which were made associate judges on January 1, 1964 by virtue of
Paragraph 4, subparagraphs (c) and (d) of the Schedule to Article VI of the
former Illinois Constitution.
At the top of the ballot on the same side as the propositions on the
candidates are listed shall be printed an explanation to read substantially
as follows: "Vote on the proposition with respect to all or any of the
judges listed on this ballot.  No judge listed is running against any other
judge.  The sole question is whether each judge shall be retained in his or her
present office".
Such separate ballot shall be printed on paper of sufficient size so
that when folded once it shall be large enough to contain the following
words, which shall be printed on the back, "Ballot for judicial candidates
seeking retention in office".  Such ballot shall be handed to the elector at
the same time as the ballot containing the names of other candidates for
the general election and shall be returned therewith by the elector to the
proper officer in the manner designated by this Act.  All provisions of this
Act relating to ballots shall apply to such separate ballot, except as
otherwise specifically provided in this section.  Such separate ballot shall
be printed upon paper of a green color.  No other ballot at the same
election shall be green in color.
In precincts in which voting machines are used, the special ballot
containing the propositions on the retention of judges may be placed on the
voting machines if such voting machines permit the casting of votes on such
propositions.
An electronic voting system authorized by Article 24A may be used in
voting and tabulating the judicial retention ballots.  When an electronic
voting system is used which utilizes a ballot label booklet and ballot
card, there shall be used in the label booklet a separate ballot label page
or pages as required for such proposition, which page or pages for such
proposition shall be of a green color separate and distinct from the ballot
label page or pages used for any other proposition or candidates.
(Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-7) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-7)
Sec. 16-7. 
		
		Whenever a public question is to be submitted to be voted
upon and has been initiated and certified in accordance with Article 28
of this Code, the election authorities to whom the question is certified
shall print the question on the ballot for the proper election, and
shall cause it to be submitted in the proper precincts to those electors
entitled by reason of their residency to vote on such question.
The substance of such public measure shall be clearly indicated on a
separate ballot, and two spaces shall be left upon the right-hand margin
thereof, one for the votes favoring the public measure, to be designated
by the word, "Yes", and one for the votes opposing the measure, to be
designated by the word, "No", as in the form herein given:
--------------------------------------------------------------
Shall (here print               YES
the substance of the           -------------------------------
public measure).                    NO
--------------------------------------------------------------
The elector shall designate his vote by a cross mark, thus: (X).  Any
such separate ballot shall be printed on paper of sufficient size so
that when folded once it shall be large enough to contain the following
words, which shall be printed on the back, "Ballot for (name of public
measure to be voted on)." Such ballot shall be handed to the elector at
the same time as the ballot containing the names of the candidates, and
returned therewith by the elector to the proper office in the manner
designated by this Act.  All provisions of this Act relating to ballots
shall apply to such separate ballot, except as herein otherwise
provided.  Such separate ballot or ballots shall be printed upon paper
of a distinctly different color from any other ballot for candidates
used at such election and from those for the question of retention in
office of judges and of constitutional amendments and as near as may be
practicable, be of uniform size. Any variation in the size of such
ballots shall not impair their validity.
In the case of a public question described in subsection (b) of Section
28-6, the election authority shall include on the ballot the description of
the territory concerning which the question is to be submitted, as set
forth in the certification of the public question or, where the question is
initiated by petition filed with the authority, as set forth in such
petition. If the election authority determines the description
cannot be included within the space limitations of the ballot, the election
authority shall prepare large printed copies of a notice
of the public question, which shall include the description.  The notice
shall be prominently displayed in the polling
place of each precinct in which the question is to be submitted.
In precincts in which voting machines are used, separate ballots
shall not be required if such voting machines permit the casting of
votes on such proposition.
An electronic voting system authorized by Article 24A may be used in
voting and tabulating the ballots on a public measure.  When an
electronic voting system is used, which utilizes a ballot label booklet
and ballot card, there shall be used in the ballot label booklet a
separate ballot label page or pages as required for such public measures
or propositions. The page or pages for such public measures or
propositions shall be of a color separate and distinct from the ballot
label page or pages used for candidates and from those used for the
propositions of retention in office of judges and of constitutional
amendments.  The ballot card provided for recording the voter's vote or
choice on public measures or propositions may be the same card as is
used for recording his vote for candidates. More than one public measure
or proposition may be placed on the same ballot label page or series of
pages and may be voted or recorded on the same column or series of
columns on the same ballot card, and all columns on the ballot card may
be of the same color.
However, at the nonpartisan, consolidated primary, and consolidated
elections, the proposition for a public question relating to a political
subdivision shall be placed on the ballot together with the ballot for the
nomination or election of officers of such political subdivision to be
voted upon at the same election, unless such placement is not feasible.
(Source: P.A. 84-1467.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-9) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-9)
Sec. 16-9. 
		
		The election authorities shall prepare full instructions
for the guidance of voters at each election as to obtaining ballots, as
to the manner of marking them and the method of gaining assistance and
as to obtaining new ballots in place of those accidentally spoiled; and
they shall respectively cause the same to be
printed in large, clear type, on separate cards, to be called cards of
instruction; and the election authorities shall furnish to the judges of
election a sufficient number of such cards of instruction to enable the
judges of election to comply with the provisions of this article.
(Source: P.A. 81-1194.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-10) (from Ch. 46, par. 16-10)
Sec. 16-10. The judges of election shall cause not less than one of
such cards to be posted in each voting booth provided for the
preparation of ballots, and not less than four of such cards to be
posted in and about the polling places upon the day of election. In
every county of not more than 500,000
inhabitants, each election authority shall cause to be published, prior to the
day of any election, in at least two newspapers, if there be so many
published in such county, a list of all the nominations made as in this Act provided and
to be voted for at such election, as near as may be, in the form in
which they shall appear upon the general ballot; provided that this requirement shall not apply with respect to any consolidated primary for which the local election official is required to make the publication under Section 7-21.
(Source: P.A. 95-699, eff. 11-9-07.)
(10 ILCS 5/16-11)
Sec. 16-11. 
		
		Precinct tabulation optical scan technology
voting equipment.
If the election authority has adopted the use of Precinct
Tabulation Optical Scan Technology voting equipment pursuant to
Article 24B of this Code, and the provisions of the Article are
in conflict with the provisions of this Article 16, the
provisions of Article 24B shall govern the procedures followed by
the election authority, its judges of elections, and all
employees and agents.  In following the provisions of
Article 24B, the election authority is authorized to develop and
implement procedures to fully utilize Precinct Tabulation Optical
Scan Technology voting equipment authorized by the State Board of
Elections as long as the procedure is not in conflict with
either Article 24B or the administrative rules of the State Board
of Elections.
(Source: P.A. 89-394, eff. 1-1-97.)