SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - State Sen. Andy Manarsays the number of registered voters in Illinois could increase by 2 million people with automatic voter registration.
The Bunker Hill Democrat says that automatically registering voters when they get driver's licenses would save money and make it easier for people to vote. Manar pitched his plan at a state Capitol news conference Wednesday as the Senate returned to Springfield. He introduced the idea in May but it has not had a hearing.
Manar says Illinois has 9.7 million eligible voters but only 7.6 million registered voters. Oregon and California already offer automatic voter registration.
Republicans resist the idea. They say automatic registration is open to fraud. Supporters say people getting driver's licenses already are identified as eligible. The bill is SB2134.
