Underwood Holds Virtual Discussion on Election Security and How to Safely Vote with Illinois Board of Elections

WEST CHICAGO— Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) held a virtual discussion on election security and voting during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic with the Illinois State Board of Elections. Underwood discussed the importance of securing elections from foreign adversaries and advocated for the passage of the Heroes Act in the Senate, which passed the House in May. The legislation would provide $3.6 billion in equipment, supplies, and staffing needed to protect the health of voters and poll workers as Americans vote during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the discussion, Chuck Scholz, Chair of the Illinois Board of Elections, and Ian Linnabary, Vice Chair of the Illinois Board of Elections, joined Underwood to share available methods of voting and the steps Illinoisans can take now to prepare to vote safely this fall.

"Voting is the most essential piece of our democracy. But, this year, we're presented with a new challenge to voting: the coronavirus," said Rep. Underwood. "No one should be forced to choose between protecting their health and exercising their Constitutional rights. That's why I'm fighting to secure our elections and ensure safe and accessible voting during this pandemic."

"We enjoyed our opportunity to discuss ways the State Board of Elections is working to conduct the election safely and securely in collaboration with the election authorities and state and federal partners," said Chuck Scholz, Chair of the Illinois Board of Elections.

"Illinois' election authorities stand ready and able to provide safe, secure and reliable means of voting early, whether by mail, drive-up, or in-person early voting, and the virtual setting provided an ideal opportunity to inform Illinois voters about their options," said Ian Linnabary, Vice Chair of the Illinois Board of Elections.

Full video of the discussion can be found here.

As Vice Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, Underwood has continuously worked to protect the integrity of U.S. elections and strengthen election security. In October 2019, Underwood welcomed the Homeland Security Committee to Gurnee, Illinois for a field hearing on securing Illinois elections. During the hearing, Underwood discussed the importance of securing U.S. elections from foreign interference and assessed the work Illinois is doing to prevent future attempts to access voter information and voting systems. Underwood is also a member of Task Force Sentry, a bipartisan group of freshman lawmakers working to develop solutions and to protect the U.S. political system from attack by foreign adversaries.