To: The Illinois State House, The Illinois State Senate, and Governor J.B. Pritzker
Illinois Lawmakers: Act To Increase Voting Rights
Illinois PIRG
Illinois has the second lowest voter registration and voter turnout rates in the Midwest, barely beating out Indiana for last place.
Currently, Illinoisans must register to vote almost one month in advance of an election. If Illinois adopts Same Day Registration (SDR), we would be allowed to register to vote right on Election Day. Voter participation in other states with this policy is generally 10 points higher.
Currently, Illinoisans must register to vote almost one month in advance of an election. If Illinois adopts Same Day Registration (SDR), we would be allowed to register to vote right on Election Day. Voter participation in other states with this policy is generally 10 points higher.
Why is this important?
One reason why people don’t vote is if they haven't registered as required almost one month before Election Day. That deadline is arbitrary and unnecessary. Often, the election debate doesn't really get going until the last few weeks before Election Day – after the registration deadline.
SDR would allow Illinois to join ten other states such as California and Minnesota, plus D.C., in removing arbitrary and unnecessary deadlines that complicate the registration process.
Four of the five states with the highest voter turnout in 2012 offered SDR. The average voter turnout rate was over 10% higher in states with SDR than in other states. Tell your elected officials to support Same Day Registration in Illinois.
SDR would allow Illinois to join ten other states such as California and Minnesota, plus D.C., in removing arbitrary and unnecessary deadlines that complicate the registration process.
Four of the five states with the highest voter turnout in 2012 offered SDR. The average voter turnout rate was over 10% higher in states with SDR than in other states. Tell your elected officials to support Same Day Registration in Illinois.