By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Just days before the Illinois primary, there’s news of another problem with “automatic voter registration” in the secretary of state’s office. 

State Reps. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) and Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) Wednesday called for a suspension and audit of AVR. “At least over 1100 citizens were improperly registered as ‘opt out,’” Butler said. “What we’ve seen over the last couple of months is that we’ve registered non-citizens to vote, while we are denying actual citizens their voting rights that they have in the state of Illinois.

“And I’m not convinced that 1100 number is accurate.”

Bourne said it’s time to step up, and if the secretary of state’s office won’t, the legislature will. “That’s what we view our role: holding them accountable and making sure these systems are implemented properly, and if they’re not willing to come forward and do an audit on their own, then that’s something that the legislature can do.”

A spokesman said the secretary of state’s office believes it’s human error — on the part of drivers visiting driver’s service centers. Dave Druker said the main problem is people applying for both a license and a Real ID and, perhaps, saying No on the second application, thinking they were already registered.

Secretary Jesse White appeared at a House committee hearing last month, vowing “zero tolerance.” Butler said it’s time for White to make a return visit.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].