Illinois considers automatic voter registration

Posted on October 15, 2015

State Sen. Andy Manar has proposed a measure to implement automatic voter registration. (Photo courtesy www.ilga.gov)

By John Gregory/Illinois Radio Network

CHICAGO – There appears to be little opposition to a bill which would automatically register you to vote when you obtain or renew your driver license or state ID.

No one at a Chicago hearing spoke against the proposal, which makes a change in how the Illinois Secretary of State’s office handles voter registration. Instead of being asked if you’d like to register or change your voting address, it would be done automatically unless you specifically opt of registration.

State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) said the result will be more voters.

“There are 7.6 million registered voters in the state,” Manar said. “According to the 2010 census, Illinois had 9.2 million residents over the age of 18, which begs the question why is there a difference in those numbers?”

Manar said besides expanding the number of voters, it would also help election authorities keep better track of when voters move, and make it easier to clear old addresses off the voter rolls.

If the bill passes, Illinois would join Oregon and California in implementing automatic voter registration.

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