For Immediate Release
May 4, 2016
Contact:
Chicago: Christian Diaz | (773) 657-0102 | christian@chicagovotes.com
Springfield: Trevor Gervais | (602) 619-5073 |
tgervais@commoncause.org
JUST DEMOCRACY COALITION HOLDS LOBBY DAY TO ADVOCATE FOR AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION
SPRINGFIELD—Members of the Just Democracy Coalition, representing 65 organizations from across Illinois, will meet with legislators today to advocate for Automatic Voter Registration (AVR). This will create a system which enables eligible voters to register to vote or update their voter registration status in a convenient and secure manner when they interact with state agencies.
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 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.
“Today we are talking to both Democrats and Republicans about the importance of Automatic Voter Registration to communities throughout Illinois. The Just Democracy coalition’s campaign for AVR, supported by 65 organizations across the state, represents the groundswell of support behind this initiative,” said Trevor Gervais, Lead Organizer with Common Cause Illinois.
Our current system of registering voters results in a significant number of outdated records. By using reliable information from existing state agency databases to automatically register eligible citizens, AVR will make our voter lists more accurate and secure. The system will also ensure more frequent updates and reduce the need for late registration or election day registration.
Illinois has 7.5 million registered voters. According to the US Census Bureau, there are 9.9 million residents of the state 18 years of age and older, with 2.4 million not registered to vote. Rural communities as well as communities of color, immigrants and young people will benefit from AVR.
“With automatic voter registration, every eligible voter can be identified and added to a secure database electronically. It’s a common sense strategy for ensuring that every vote counts, especially among young voters and voters in communities of color who want equity in the voting process,” said Christian Diaz, executive director of Chicago Votes, a youth civic engagement organization.
Automatic voter registration has already passed in four states, and 25 other states have bills pending. In Illinois, there are 52 house co-sponsors and 23 senate co-sponsors. Today, over 100 individuals representing community organizations, faith-based groups, and good government organizations that constitute the Just Democracy Coalition will voice their support for a modern, secure, and accurate voter registration process.
###
The Just Democracy coalition is led by a steering committee that includes Action Now Institute, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, 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.