Local election officials hope the state will budget enough money to do automatic voter registration properly. “Have they figured out how they’re going to pay for it and implement it? That will be key for its success,” said McLean County Clerk Kathy Michael. “It would be a good thing if it worked perfectly, but we’re awaiting further details on it.” The state House and Senate sent Gov. Bruce Rauner legislation that would automatically add residents to the voter rolls when they visit state offices, including those of the secretary of state, who oversees driver’s licenses and vehicle registration. Residents would be able to opt out at the beginning of the registration process. … Logan County Clerk Sally Turner, however, said, “Most county clerks have resigned to the fact that (automatic voter registration) will be the law, but we are all apprehensive in the way it will occur.”
“The state doesn’t have any money to be able to perfect the system,” she said. “If all automatic registrations are done electronically through agencies and uploaded to the state board of elections within the proper time period, then disseminated to the various counties in a timely fashion, I am sure it can have success. … We will wait to see that occur.”
Instead, election officials could be left with incomplete or duplicate registrations, as they often are when residents register at the secretary of state’s office at the same time as getting a driver’s license, Michael said.
Full Article: Election officials: Funding needed for registration bill | Government and Politics | pantagraph.com.