Lawmakers in Illinois are pushing to override the governor’s veto of a bill aimed at increasing voter registration. That move would automatically register eligible Illinois residents to vote at the time they apply for a driver’s license or state-issued I-D. After receiving overwhelming support from both houses in the spring session, the effort was stopped cold in August when Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner issued a full veto on the bill, forcing lawmakers to either override his veto, or start from scratch. An override would require a three-fifths majority in both houses. A separate, new bill would take at least a year to be drafted and move through the house and senate.
State Senator Andy Manar tells KFVS-TV he plans to file an override of SB 250 on November 15th, 2016 when lawmakers return to session, and expects progress to be made later in the week.
The governor says he supports the ideology of the measure, but is worried how the bill is written is too open-ended.
The governor also raised concerns that a lack of specific protocol in the bill could lead to people accidentally being registered who aren’t supposed to be, such as non-citizens or convicted felons. “Senate Bill 250 does not require an applicant to attest to meeting the qualifications to vote or to sign the application, as required by federal law.” The Governor wrote in an August 12th, 2016 explanation of his veto.
Full Article: Lawmakers to try for veto override on automatic voter registrati – KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff.