For Immediate Release
May 19, 2016
Contact:
Brandon Lee | 773-271-0899 x200 | blee@advancingjustice-chicago.org
Illinois State Senate Passes Automatic Voter Registration SB250
SPRINGFIELD (May 19, 2016) – The Illinois State Senate has passed SB250, also known as Automatic Voter Registration. The bill now moves to the House, where more than 50 members have already signed on as cosponsors.
Senate Bill 250, sponsored by State Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) and championed by State Representative Carol Ammons (D-Champaign), and State Representative Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston), reforms current registration laws so that whenever an eligible Illinois resident receives services at a designated state agency such as Drivers Services, Illinois Department of Human Services, or Illinois Department of Employment Security, he or she will be automatically registered to vote in the local jurisdiction unless they opt out. Registered voters will also be able to update their voter information when they interact with these agencies.
«The same week that 400 Asian Americans rallied in the capitol and held meetings seeking bipartisan support, SB250 passed today thanks to Senators from both parties,» said Kathleen Yang-Clayton, Advancing Justice | Chicago Deputy Director. «Automatic Voter Registration will empower our communities by bringing more eligible voters into our democracy, and breaking down barriers to participation.»
“Automatic Voter Registration is a common sense reform that saves money, increases the security of voting lists, avoids long lines on Election Day, and brings more than two million voters into our democracy,” said Trevor Gervais, Lead Organizer with Common Cause Illinois.
«The voices of Black communities, through disenfranchisement, often go unheard. Allowing voters to be automatically registered not only clears a path for healthy civic engagement, but also allows communities to come together to educate each other on the policies that impact their neighborhoods. Using the time and resources it would take to register tens of thousands of new voters every year, organizations and communities could work to educate and empower voters to make their voices heard. We believe that can be accomplished with Automatic Voter Registration,” said Katelyn Johnson, Executive Director, Action Now Institute.
“The voice of the immigrant community, especially at the ballot box, is growing. Keeping our election systems secure, fair and up-to-date with the increasing diversity of our democracy is a cause that all Illinoisans should support,” said Celina Villanueva, with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.
Automatic Voter Registration has already passed or is in the process of implementation in five states, and another 25 states have bills pending. In Illinois, there are 52 house co-sponsors and 26 senate co-sponsors.
The Just Democracy coalition is led by a steering committee that includes Action Now Institute, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, CHANGE IL, Chicago Votes, Common Cause Illinois, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and Illinois PIRG, with a total of 65 organizations signed on to support SB250.
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