Gov. Bruce Rauner on Friday vetoed a bill that would have automatically registered drivers to become voters when they get a driver’s license, saying there were some “corrections” to be made to the bill before he could approve it. “Today I return the bill, however, to provide the sponsors and proponents with the opportunity to make some important corrections to protect the integrity of our election system and to comply with federal law,” Rauner said in his veto Friday. “We must also ensure that the State Board of Elections is provided with adequate time and resources to implement the bill’s provisions.”
In a statement, Rauner said he supports efforts to encourage more voter participation in democracy but added that the current bill would “inadvertently open the door to voter fraud and run afoul of federal election law.”
“We will continue working with the legislature and key stakeholders on language that meets our shared goals while complying with federal law and preventing voter fraud,” Rauner said in a statement.
The Senate bill provided that anyone of voting age who is obtaining or renewing a driver’s license at a Secretary of State facility would be automatically offered a voter registration form. The form would have required them to attest under penalty of perjury that they are a U.S. citizen and meet all other stated voter eligibility requirements. They could have also opted out of the process.
Full Article: Gov. Bruce Rauner vetoes automatic voter registration bill | Chicago Sun-Times.