At this meeting of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, Chairwoman Marisel A. Hernandez, Commissioner/Secretary William J. Kresse and Commissioner Jonathan T. Swain:

- Received reports from Executive Director Lance Gough on: acquisition of personal protective equipment for re-opening the Board's offices; printing of the ballots by Precinct, instead of by ballot style, to allow for smoother processing of Vote By Mail ballots; the need for additional office space for scanners and social distancing for Vote By Mail and other processes; ongoing talks with the City on access to the warehouse; collection of remaining election supply carriers at precinct sites;
- Received a report from Assistant Executive Director Charles Holiday, Jr., on: managers at the Board identifying all of their staffing and equipment needs and project lists; online training for poll workers and investigators; the Polling Place division making calls to privately-owned facilities that were used for polling places in the past to determine how many may be available for Nov. 2020.
Comm. Swain asked about a protocol for the possibility of private owners of polling places withdrawing at the last minute. Mr. Holiday indicated that the protocol is being developed. Comm. Swain followed up with a question on whether the law addresses private owners withdrawing access to their buildings, and General Counsel Adam Lasker said the law covers instances like floods, lack of heat or lack of electricity, but not force majeure. Mr. Gough noted that schools are expected to be closed for a state holiday on Election Day, which will allow for back-up locations. In response to a question from Comm. Swain, Mr. Gough noted that the Justice Department has indicated an understanding of the challenges with addressing accessibility issues. In response to questions from Comm. Kresse, Mr. Gough and Mr. Lasker noted that with schools closed, there may be additional spaces in those buildings that are available in November that were not available in past elections. Comm. Kresse recommended using as many public facilities as possible.
- Received a report from Communications Director James P. Allen on the status of designs of the canvass mailing, which will include invitations to apply to Vote By Mail and, for qualified voters, applications to Vote By Mail. Mr. Allen described three versions of the canvass mailing and the plans to promote online applications to Vote By Mail.
- Mr. Lasker reported on legislation that passed the Illinois House and Senate, which would include:
o Making Election Day a state holiday, to provide more locations to be available as polling places;
o State/federal reimbursement for cleaning costs for sites used as polling places;
o Starting the application process for Vote By Mail immediately upon the Governor's signing of the legislation, instead of waiting until Aug. 5 to open the application process;
o By Aug. 1, mailing Vote By Mail applicatoins to all voters who have participated in any election(s) since Nov. 2018;
o A schedule of mailing of ballots to the Vote By Mail applicants as early as Sept. 24;
o A new requirement to appoint three-judge panels to review the signatures on the Vote By Mail Ballot Return Envelopes, which will require more space for the process to ensure social distancing;
o Allowances for the Election Board to offer and maintain secured drop boxes (at locations such as Early Voting sites) so that voters may drop off the Ballot Return Envelopes without relying on the Postal Service to return their ballots;
o Requiring the Election Board to include return postage on the Vote By Mail return envelopes, which Chicago had already provided in past elections;
o The potential for curbside voting;
o Setting up at least one Universal Vote Center on Election Day, which could service voters from any precinct, regardless of where they live, in the same way that all Chicago Early Voting sites are open to all city voters;
o Allowing any US citizens who live in Illinois, aged 16-17, to serve as poll workers, without the grade-point average requirement and without the need for principal sign-off, given the state-holiday status of Election Day; and,
o Allowing for electronic notices for petition objections.
- In response to a question from Chairwoman Hernandez, Mr. Lasker reported on the federal court modification to move the deadline for filing of new and independent candidates/parties to file petitions in mid-July while also reducing signature requirements by 90%. These modifications should allow for timely preparation of ballots. The Board approved a modified election calendar to reflect the federal court's modified ruling.
- Mr. Lasker reported on ongoing talks with the US Justice Department on the program for ensuring as many accessible polling places as possible. Chicago Public Schools representatives are part of the talks, Mr. Lasker noted.
- Received public comments.

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