SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As states across the country engage in voter suppression, state Rep. Juliana Stratton, D-Chicago, is fighting to ensure Illinois residents have access to the ballot box by passing legislation to automatically register people to vote when they conduct business with the state, known as “automatic voter registration.”
“Efforts to suppress the vote have continued in an effort to disenfranchise eligible voters and silence their voices on important issues," Stratton said. “Access to the ballot box continues to be an important fight to ensure we protect the hard earned right to vote.”
The Stratton-backed Senate Bill 1933 would automatically register Illinoisans to vote when they visit a Secretary of State’s office or other key government locations, unless they choose not to let their names go onto the voting rolls. Currently, officials at the Secretary of State’s offices will ask eligible Illinoisans if they want to register to vote or update their registration, which serves as an extra step. Seven other states and the District of Columbia already automatically register voters.
“We shouldn’t be making it harder for people to vote, we should be taking every step to ensure the electorate is an accurate reflection of our country,” Stratton continued. “This bill will help ensure the voices of many, rather than a few, are heard.”
Senate Bill 1933 now heads to the governor for approval.