Lawmakers Considering Automatic Voter Registration Bill

Two Democratic state senators have filed legislation that would automatically register Illinois residents to vote.

The proposal sponsored by state Sens. Andy Manar and Daniel Biss would automatically register people to vote whenever they update or renew a driver's license or state ID.

Biss says the plan would eliminate hurdles and simplify the registration process.

The plan comes on the heels of a campaign by Illinois Republicans last fall to have ineligible people purged from voter lists. Republicans said then they were guarding against voter fraud and responding to Democratic maneuvering to boost turnout.

Illinois GOP officials and Republican caucus spokeswomen didn't immediately reply to requests for comment Tuesday.

Oregon enacted a similar automatic registration law this spring. Similar proposals also are being debated in California and New Jersey.