Election Commission to keep pre-paid postage on mail-in ballots

PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria County Election Commission will pay the postage after all for people who wish to vote by mail.

The commission voted to reverse an earlier decision to remove pre-paid postage from the mail-in ballots in a cost-saving measure.

25 News reports the NAACP claimed over the summer the move was an attempt at voter suppression, making it harder for lower-income residents to vote.

Despite the move, commission chair James Manning says he doesn’t think the county should be responsible for the estimated $20,000 in postage costs.