The Illinois General Assembly has voted to make same-day voter registration a permanent feature of Illinois elections.
Democrats allowed it for the first time in this year’s election, but just as a one-shot test. As with almost every change to election law, there was a fierce debate. Republicans charged Democrats were rushing it through, and that the changes open the door to voter fraud.
But Barbara Flynn Currie, the Democratic Majority Leader, says that’s not true.
“If there’s voter fraud, the state’s attorneys ought to be out there prosecuting it. But the studies show us that it is not a major issue in the country. Voter fraud is way down from what it might have been in the '70s, ’60s and the ’50s."
The legislation passed the House and Senate and now goes to the governor.
The Illinois House permanently adjourned until new lawmakers are sworn in on January 14th. That means no so-called lame duck session. In the past, lawmakers have used that opportunity to cast controversial votes on their way out the door.