* AP…
A federal lawsuit has raised questions about whether Illinois’ new Election Day voter registration rules are constitutional, a situation that could complicate how polling sites are run this November.
Illinois tested same-day registration in the 2014 governor’s race, with all election authorities required to offer it in at least one location. It was popular, with long lines on Election Night, particularly in Chicago. When lawmakers made same-day registration permanent the next year, they expanded it, ordering highly populated areas to make it available at all polls.
That change is at the heart of a federal lawsuit brought by Republicans, who argue it’s an unfair and unequal system because voters in less populated and GOP-leaning areas don’t have equal access. They’re asking a judge to end all precinct-level Election Day registration, which would impact voters in 21 of 102 counties and five cities: Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Bloomington and East St. Louis.
“It seemed obviously unfair to skew election results in this way,” said Jacob Huebert, an attorney with an organization representing a north-central Illinois Republican congressional candidate and party committee. “The purpose is obviously to boost Democratic turnout relative to Republican turnout.” […]
Legal and political experts question the timing of the lawsuit, which is so close to the election, as well as its backers. The Illinois Policy Institute’s legal arm, the Liberty Justice Center, is arguing the lawsuit. First-term Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s foundation has donated to the group and some in his administration previously worked there. Rauner’s spokeswoman didn’t return a request for comment.
- Triple fat - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 12:08 pm:
We should settle this lawsuit by agreeing to do away with same day registration as long as 2014’s Governor election is considered null and void. I believe that would make the Speaker our interim Executive until a legitimate election for Governor is completed. Or would we get Quinn back? I’d prefer either one to the current Governor.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 12:32 pm:
Gov. Rauner wants more of a say in the map process for voters, but less voters involved in the actual voting process?
That makes sense.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 12:34 pm:
Timing and backers aside, any time you apply laws related to elections and voting rights unequally you’re treading on shaky ground. Not predicting a result, but this doesn’t appear frivolous on its face. Fair argument that if you are going to make registration easier, it has to be equally easy across the state.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 12:35 pm:
Voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around.
Except when it comes to Voter ID laws.
- GOP
- Tom - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 12:43 pm:
All counties offer Election Day registration, the counties under 100,000 just have the choice to limit it to the County Clerk’s office and in some cases other towns.
There are also differences in Early Voting locations and hours required based on population.
The County Clerks in the smaller counties are the ones who ask for the difference in requirements due to cost.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 1:54 pm:
“obviously unfair”, Jacob?
The GOP is apparently unaware the election code already spells out separate practices for registering voters based on the size of the county.
Here is Article 4, 5 and 6:
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=170&
- burbanite - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 1:58 pm:
You want to vote little voter? Well the Republicans don’t want you to vote…..where are the Troncs on this?
- TheDude - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 2:03 pm:
What would stop the judge from saying that they agreed with the plaintiffs that the law was unconstitutional based on not making same day registration available at all precincts and then ordering the same day registration at all precincts. It would be the right move, and it would make IPI pull their hair out (bonus).
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 2:14 pm:
- What would stop the judge from saying that they agreed with the plaintiffs that the law was unconstitutional based on not making same day registration available at all precincts and then ordering the same day registration at all precincts. -
Thedude — The second part might be considered “legislating from the bench” by writing in provisions that are not there, but nothing would prevent the legislature from going back and adding such an across-the-board requirement.
- anon - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 2:16 pm:
I too favor a remedy that extends same-day registration equally across the State. It would cure the inequity the plaintiffs cite.
- Downstate Illinois - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 4:44 pm:
The law clearly treats voters differently based on location. Some voters have more rights than others. Please try to explain how that doesn’t violate the 14th Amendment guaranteeing equal treatment under the law.
As to same day registration it’s a nightmare. Precinct level election judges do not have time to handle this in a way that doesn’t create opportunities for vote fraud. I’m not fond of doing it at the county elections office, but at least they’re designed to handle it.
It isn’t hard to register to vote, nor is it out of line to require voters to be responsible and register themselves in a timely manner.
- Tom - Tuesday, Sep 6, 16 @ 5:04 pm:
Downstate
“Precinct level election judges do not have time to handle this in a way that doesn’t create opportunities for vote fraud.”
How are the Judges not able to handle it without fraud? The pollbooks can be all connected and once a person registered at one location then the information to all the other locations with voter registration.