Illinois proposal could expand automatic voter registration system

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State lawmakers could pass a plan this session to expand the automatic voter registration process to help even more people have the opportunity to vote.

The legislation would allow anyone to be registered to vote when they apply for a REAL ID or standard driver's license as long as they show a document confirming US citizenship.

Leaders told the House Ethics & Elections Committee Tuesday that Illinoisans would only be able to opt out of the automatic voter registration when they receive a postcard from their local election authority. Residents would have 23 days to return the postcard to election officials if they would like to be removed from the state database.

"We will also record the applicant's language preference," said Brenda Glahn with the Illinois Secretary of State's office. "We will also be passing that language preference to the State Board of Elections and to the local election officials so they can send those materials in the voter's language preference."

Advocates from the Institute for Responsive Government Action said there are over 1 million Illinoisans who are eligible to vote but have not registered. Although, the organization noted that roughly 50% of people asked if they would like to register to vote tell DMV employees that they would like to opt out.

"Most people are already registered to vote. They may not understand that they need to update their registration when they move," said Alex Tischenko from the Institute for Responsive Government Action. "I think that's the number one reason. The other is that others would like to leave the department of motor and vehicles services. They may perceive any optional government form that they may have to fill out as preventing them from leaving. For other folks, it may be confusion over registration requirements."

Ten other states have passed proposals to expand their automatic voter registration systems.

The House Ethics & Elections Committee could vote on the proposal before the House Committee deadline on March 21.