- Published: 05 May 2017
SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Patricia Van Pelt (D-Chicago) issued the following statement after voting for a measure that would enact automatic voter registration and remove a barrier to voting for Illinois citizens:
“At a time when we're seeing a major rollback of voting rights across the country, I'm proud that Democrats and Republicans came together and voted to expand access to the ballot in Illinois,” Van Pelt said. “Voter registration laws disproportionately affect minorities, women, seniors and low-income individuals. Automatic voter registration will remove a barrier to voting and help ensure that all eligible Illinoisans are able to participate in our democracy should they so choose.”
Currently, there are more than 2 million Illinoisans who are eligible to vote but aren’t registered. If Senate Bill 1933 is enacted, eligible Illinoisans will be automatically registered to vote when they interact with certain state agencies. If an individual does not want to be registered, they can opt-out.
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