Kane County residents criticized a proposed proclamation and alleged noncitizen voting at the committee’s Aug. 21 meeting, prompting a lengthy exchange with County Clerk Brian Pollock and calls from some board members for verification of same‑day registrants.

Residents warned that a proclamation opposing noncitizen voting signals support for debunked election fraud claims and undermines public confidence. Victoria Davidson Bell told the committee, "I was appalled to learn that the Kane County board is considering a proclamation opposing noncitizen voting. This is wrong on so many levels." Denise Theobald and Heather Hayes, both public commenters, disputed claims that noncitizens are voting in Illinois, with Hayes saying, "First, to register, you must be a U.S. citizen. That's the law."

Why it matters: commenters and several committee members said the proclamation would validate misinformation and damage trust in local elections. Others said procedural questions about identification, driver's licenses and same‑day registration deserve a clear, auditable answer from election officials.

County Clerk Brian Pollock described how the office follows state law and the election code for same‑day (grace‑period) registration. Pollock said election judges verify required documents and collect a signed affidavit under penalty of perjury; "We follow state law," he said. He added the clerk’s office maintains and updates voter rolls daily and invited board members to inspect office procedures and data handling.

But some county board members said explanation alone was not enough. Supervisor David Young asked whether someone could register and vote on the same day using a state driver's license and a utility bill; Pollock responded that the process is governed by state law and that election judges follow requirements for ID and affidavits. Board member Surges pressed for a transparent verification: "If we can get a report verified that of the 5,000 same‑day voters, if we can simply validate that those voters were citizens, then I will wholeheartedly stand up and agree that we do not have a problem."

Clerk Michelle Gums (committee member) responded to identification questions, saying Illinois driver's licenses issued to noncitizen residents changed wording in July 2024 to include a "not for federal use" indicator; she said such licenses are not qualifying ID for federal use and cannot substitute for the citizenship requirement when registering to vote. Gums urged reliance on professional election staff and existing safeguards.

The committee exchanged procedural suggestions and calls for follow‑up. Pollock emphasized the statutory limits and invited officials to review the clerk’s daily processes for voter roll maintenance. No motion or formal audit was made during the meeting; members who requested further verification said they would pursue follow‑up conversations with the clerk’s office.

The discussion followed public comments that referenced national claims about mail‑in voting and the film "2000 Mules," which commenters and the clerk said have been widely debunked. Public commenters repeatedly urged the committee to stop pursuing proclamations they said echoed misinformation.

Ending: Committee members did not adopt any resolution or audit during the meeting. Several asked for additional, transparent steps and for the county clerk’s office to provide documentation or an available walkthrough so they could confirm that same‑day registrations complied with Illinois law.