General Assembly Passes Bill Allowing Voter Registration Up To Two Weeks Before Election

By Sam Bakken in News on Nov 19, 2004 9:42PM

While a lack of action on expanded gambling in the state and the CTA bailout dominated headlines during the Illinois General Assembly's veto session these past two weeks, something important did get sent to Gov. Blagojevich's desk. Both the House and Senate passed a bill that allows voters an additional two weeks to register to vote. Currently you must register 4 weeks before election day in Illinois. Voters that register during the additional two weeks would have to either vote by mail or at a special location.

Critics say it will create too much paperwork and people already have plenty of time to register. But let's be honest. We want to get the kids involved right? Everybody knows that kids are lazy. They could use an extra two weeks to procrastinate.

Anything that makes it easier for citizens to vote is good. But this isn't enough. Election Day should be a national holiday and everyone should be allowed to register at the polls. Don't you think so? Madison, WI allows registration at the polls, and they haven't had any MAJOR problems. Just some dead people voting. That's nothing new to Chicago. And come on, can't we get off the deads' backs? They have enough problems (eternity is totally creepy and maggots eating your eyes out is a bitch yo!).