ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION (EDR) allows people to register and vote on Election Day.

It is a key
element to a robust Same Day Registration system that allows registration during the early voting period
through the closing of the polls.
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHOULD PASS EDR IN EVERY POLLING PLACE FOR EVERY ELECTION.
In November, thousands of Illinoisans were able to vote thanks to the EDR pilot program. Many voters had
been registered and just needed to update their address or experienced other administrative problems. The
excellent turnout during the pilot shows that voters both need and demand EDR.

Permanent EDR is needed now to prevent easily avoidable disenfranchisement. Otherwise,

thousands of Illinoisans will be forced to cast provisional ballots that may not be counted.

Permanent EDR is needed now to prevent the confusion that may occur after offering EDR in one
election and then revoking this important fail-safe option for future elections.

Providing EDR in every polling location makes the process easier for voters and diminishes the
likelihood of lines at limited EDR sites.
WHY DO WE NEED EDR?

EDR protects voters whose registration applications were lost or mishandled by allowing them to
still cast a ballot that will be counted.

EDR helps voters who have moved: many previously registered voters mistakenly think their
registrations are up to date, but lose their eligibility to vote merely because they have moved.

EDR especially assists underrepresented communities including geographically mobile lowerincome voters, young voters, and voters of color by offering those who have moved an opportunity
to update their registration and vote.

EDR eliminates arbitrary deadlines that cut off registration when voters are most interested: right
around Election Day, when campaigns reach their peak.

EDR offers interested first time voters, often young people and naturalized citizens, a chance to
vote, even if they are not familiar with registration deadlines.

EDR with regular ballots reduces provisional ballots: this saves time and money for election
administrators and the state as a whole. It also lowers the number of provisional ballots needlessly
tossed out, which disenfranchises the otherwise eligible citizens who cast those votes.

ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION WORKS: Twelve states have passed EDR laws. Most states offer EDR in
every polling place with regular, non-provisional ballots.
According to Demos, average voter turnout was over 10 percentage points higher in EDR states.
Demos estimates that, when fully implemented, EDR in Illinois could increase turnout by over
215,000 voters; minority turnout could increase by over 150,000 voters.

Election Day Registration is secure because it requires a registrant to show two forms of
identification and sign the oath right in front of an election judge. Additionally, states with EDR
investigate and impose heavy criminal penalties for voter fraud; given the lack of fraud in EDR
states, this successfully serve as a significant deterrent.

Illinois has the second lowest turnout in the Midwest. We need to implement simple solutions like
EDR to remove barriers for those who want a voice in our democracy.