As Federal Overreach Threatens Elections, Legal Volunteers Mobilize to Protect Voter Access Ahead of the Illinois Primary Election on March 17
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2026
CONTACT:
Zindy Marquez
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
zmarquez@clccrul.org
As Federal Overreach Threatens Elections, Legal Volunteers Mobilize to Protect Voter Access Ahead of the Illinois Primary Election on March 17
Illinois voters can call the free, nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE
(866-687-8683) for assistance or to report issues
CHICAGO, IL, February 5, 2026: The Illinois Primary Election is being closely monitored amid escalating national rhetoric and actions that threaten the longstanding and critical role of state and local election officials in administering free and fair elections. Leading up to and throughout the day on March 17, legal volunteers trained by Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights will take calls to the nonpartisan Election Protection hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE and answer questions from voters across the state as they cast their ballots in the Illinois Primary Election. Volunteers will also serve as nonpartisan poll watchers in Chicago and several nearby counties to assist voters on the ground who might be experiencing issues like voter intimidation, polling place closures, language or disability barriers, or electioneering.
Recent comments by President Trump to “nationalize” elections alongside federal efforts to seize state voter rolls and ballots in Georgia are an unprecedented attempt to undo how elections in America are legally required to be conducted—by trusted state and local election authorities.
The Midwest has also been the target of federal overreach, including Illinois. Last year the U.S. Department of Justice demanded that Illinois turn over sensitive voter data that is protected under state and federal law. When Illinois refused, the DOJ responded by suing the Director of the Illinois State Board of Elections in December. Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights alongside our partners challenged this federal overreach by moving to intervene in U.S. v. Matthews to protect voter privacy here in Illinois. The federal government has no authority to access this sensitive information.
"When powerful actors attempt to rewrite election law, seize election materials, or spread long-debunked conspiracy theories, it is voters who are most impacted,” said Ami Gandhi, Director of the Midwest Voting Rights Program with Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights. “Voters – do not let them intimidate you by their illegal attempts to grab power. That is exactly their goal. If you are eligible, please vote and ensure that your voice is heard. Voters have many options, including early voting and voting by mail. Call 866-OUR-VOTE if you need help.”
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee works closely with the national Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law to coordinate the Illinois legal program for Election Protection. Hundreds of attorneys have volunteered in past elections and answered thousands of calls from voters across the region.
In addition to traditional polling locations, Chicago Lawyers’ Committee will be monitoring jail voter access for eligible voters in pre-trial detention.
Election Protection Hotlines:
English: 866-OUR-VOTE
Spanish/English: 888-VE-Y-VOTA
Arabic/English: 844-YALLA-US
Asian Languages/English: 888-API-VOTE
Digital outreach tools, including 866ourvote.org, @866ourVote, and facebook.com/866OurVote
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Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights is a non-partisan, non-profit group of civil rights lawyers and advocates working to secure racial equity and economic opportunity for all. We provide legal representation through partnerships with the private bar, and we collaborate with grassroots organizations and other advocacy groups to implement community-based solutions that advance civil rights. For more information, visit www.clccrul.org.