What’s the holdup on AVR?
Thursday, Aug 17, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Ottawa Times on the automatic voter registration bill…
Rauner vetoed similar legislation in 2016, so lawmakers went back to work, crafting such agreeable legislation that it gained unanimous approval in both the House and Senate — a feat made even more staggering when placed in the context of the partisan rancor that has gripped and gridlocked Springfield for years.
SB 1933 closely aligns the new automatic voter registration system with the state’s Real ID program and is designed to make the process less expensive, more modern and more secure. It also builds in the time it will take to develop a fair and effective system before launch, rather than putting the cart several lengths ahead of the horse.
Further, the plan offers an opt-out provision. That would make it possible for anyone to make sure they are not included on the voter rolls. We strongly encourage all eligible citizens to exercise their right to vote, but in so doing we accept the freedom of choice extends to the decision of whether or not to cast a ballot or whether to be registered at all. And so it became paramount for any automatic registration to include this option.
With all these safeguards in place, and with a promise from May that the governor would sign the bill, how is it possible we’re halfway through August and Rauner still hasn’t sealed the deal? If he doesn’t put pen to paper, the bill could die when the calendar turns to September.
On June 1 we urged the governor to sign the bill without delay. Other newspapers made similar requests, not to mention that unanimous support from both chambers. If Rauner refuses to sign, he could at least extend us the dignity of an explanation. If his approval is only a formality, then what possible reason can there be for taking so long?
* The governor’s former staff made some changes to the bill that could benefit the GOP. For instance, the implementation date was moved to 2019 for all agencies except the Secretary of State’s driver facilities, which is after the 2018 election. And…
Removes the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department on Aging from the definition of “designated automatic voter registration agency” and includes the divisions of Family and Community Services and Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Human Services (rather than the entirety of the Department of Human Services) in the definition
Rauner’s former staff also added the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Department of Natural Resources to the list of designated automatic voter registration agencies. So hunters, fishing enthusiasts and regulated business owners can be automatically registered.
Proponents are getting nervous and there’s lots of speculation that the new ideologically motivated staff is the real holdup. Stay tuned.
- Norseman - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
Q: When does a commitment stop being a commitment?
A: When you don’t care about your lousy reputation and hire right-wing staffers who prefer voter suppression.
- Anon E. Moose - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:02 pm:
I thought that if Rauner does not sign or veto the bill within 60 days of receipt, it becomes law. Am I mistaken?
- The Captain - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:04 pm:
Budget solving idea: a fee on veto overrides. Illinois gon be rich!!!
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:10 pm:
Roadblocks to tne franchise have been the right-wing bread-and-butter forever.
- Been There=== - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:15 pm:
===the freedom of choice extends to the decision of whether or not to cast a ballot or whether to be registered at all. ===
I’m all for this bill but this is a good provision. Hard to believe but there are people who don’t register because they think that is the only way they might get called for jury duty. But that’s their choice.
- Jim'e' - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:20 pm:
I believe it becomes law without the Guvs signature after 60 days.
- Anon E. Moose - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
Yeah, so wouldn’t that be the most politically expedient thing for Rauner to do? Let the bill become law without his signature?
- Seriously - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:32 pm:
The Governor should amendatorilyy veto and add a photo ID requirement (with provision to cover the costs of the ID for the poor).
- SAP - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 1:33 pm:
==If he doesn’t put pen to paper, the bill could die when the calendar turns to September.== When did the guy who advised the Governor on how many votes are needed for an AV override start writing for the Ottawa Times?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
Any Rauner administration agreements offered pre-IPI are no longer operative. They are reviewing everything, regardless of what previous staffs have signed off on.
- titan - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 3:34 pm:
I believe the delay of implementation for the non-SOS agencies was mainly driven by the need to do a lot of IT work to enable the SBE and the non-SOS agencies to exchange the necessary data.
Much of that work was already done with SOS (when the online voter registration program was implemented).
- it'smyopinion - Thursday, Aug 17, 17 @ 7:57 pm:
A lot of proponents of a lot of bills are in a similar situation, wondering what the new staff thinks of a bill, even if it passed both chambers unanimaously.
- blue dog dem - Friday, Aug 18, 17 @ 6:33 am:
Good to see some real bi-partisan legislation. Finally. ‘Corn’. The state grain.