By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ election managers want to give voters and local election officials another chance to get some answers before automatic voter registration starts this summer.

The state will begin the first phase of automatic voter registration in July.

Before that, the Illinois State Board of Elections wants to give everyone a chance to ask any last-minute questions, Matt Dietrich with the state board said.

The state board has already heard from lawmakers and leaders in Chicago and Springfield, Dietrich said. The spring and summer hearings will be held across the rest of the state.

“The hearings start in Quincy on April 3,” Dietrich said. “And we’re also having them in Collinsville, Rockford, Charleston, and Mt. Prospect.”

Dietrich said voters won’t notice any changes when automatic voter registration begins this summer.

“Phase one changes the way that the Secretary of State’s office handles the data of people who want to register to vote when they get their driver’s license,” Dietrich said.

In phase two, in 2019, voters will have to ask to opt out of automatic voter registration, Dietrich said.

The law takes effect in July.