Ill. Constitution issue could be confusing | News

JACKSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS)- When voters head to the polls in Illinois they'll see one ballot measure they may find a bit confusing.

It's a Constitutional amendment to the 1970 Illinois Constitution.

It's two very wordy paragraphs long.

Here's what it means: a "yes" vote will make it tougher legislatively for the state to increase any pensions or retirement benefits for state workers.

A "no" vote keeps things the way they are now.

It may sound simple enough, but election officials say the wording on it has already stumped some people in the voting booth.

"Our judges can't try to explain the law, because they may be seen as trying to sway the voter one way or another which is electioneering of they may not have the background to provide the information the voter needs," said Jackson County court clerk, Larry Reinhardt.

"So the best we can do is provide the state flyer and let the voter decide from there," he added.

Reinhardt says voters should be able to find a blue pamphlet at their polling place. That explains the Constitutional amendment and even lists some pro's and con's to help voters better make an educated decision on how to vote.

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