FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 20, 2007
ILLINOIS HOUSE PASSES TWO KEY ELECTION REFORMS BILL TO ALLOW MORE YOUTH ELECTION JUDGES ADVANCES
Cook County Clerk David Orr lauded the Illinois House for overwhelmingly passing HB 1685 Thursday to allow high school juniors to serve as election judges. This bill is part of Orr’s legislative package for 2007.
“This bill will bring more fresh faces with technological savvy and youthful energy into the polling place and the democratic process,” said Orr, noting that high school seniors and college students are very adept at trouble-shooting the new touch screen and optical scan equipment. Orr extended a special thanks to Representative LaShawn Ford for his leadership on this bill.
The measure must now go to the Senate.
Other important elections measures passed the House today. HB 1752 would increase pay for election judges throughout Illinois. The other, HB 1753, would create a commission to study voter registration on Election Day in Illinois. Representative Lou Lang is the chief sponsor of both.
Other parts of Orr’s legislative package are advancing through the legislative process. Illinois’ current Motor Voter rules do not allow people who register by mail to vote absentee their first time. This caveat has disenfranchised college students as well as other voters who have been out of town on Election Day. A measure sponsored by Rep. Julie Hamos would rectify this problem.
For election results from Tuesday’s Consolidated Election, please visit www.voterinfonet.com. For other information and services from the clerk’s office, go to www.cookctyclerk.com.