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Elections board addressing automatic registration concerns

Flickr Creative Commons/Tony Webster

Illinois State Board of Elections officials say they're working with legislators to address logistical concerns raised in an automatic voter registration proposal.   The state's election authority opposed the bill over questions about cost and how the plan involving five state agencies would be implemented. 

Election officials say they support the concept of automatic registration and ways to boost civic participation, but were concerned with parts of the plan. 

Elections officials say they're working with House and Senate staff to draft legislation that isn't cost prohibitive and addresses their questions. 

The plan to automatically register Illinois voters unless they opt out has cleared the Senate and awaits House consideration. 

Supporters say it would modernize the system and increase turnout. Opponents fear it could lead to registering ineligible people. 

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