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HB 2911

ELEC CD-DUAL-PURPOSE APP

104th Regular Session Introduced by Carol Ammons and 5 co-sponsors

HB 2911 makes DMV/ID apps dual-purpose for voter registration, requires citizenship attestation, allows opt-out and language choice, and verifies registration before updating.

Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2911

Summary — HB 2911 (ELEC CD‑DUAL‑PURPOSE APP)

Status: Introduced (IL), added co‑sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr.
Introduced: February 6, 2025 (filed 2/18/2025 per docket entries) by Rep. Jay Hoffman. Placed on General State Calendar 5/13/2025. House Committee Amendment No. 1 filed 3/12/2025 (amendment replaces several “2027” dates with “2028”).

Note: The bill file provided contains unrelated text from an Arizona HB 2911 (appropriations). This summary addresses the Illinois Election Code / Vehicle Code provisions that comprise the primary content of the Illinois HB 2911 package.

Purpose / Intent

HB 2911 modifies Illinois’ automatic voter registration (AVR) process by changing when and how applications, change‑of‑address forms, renewals, or recertification forms for driver’s licenses and State ID cards issued by the Secretary of State also serve as voter‑registration (a “dual‑purpose” application). The bill aims to streamline voter registration, update requirements for the dual‑purpose form, and require the Secretary of State to verify a person’s current voter registration status before initiating registration.

Key provisions

  • Establishes that the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the State Board of Elections, must run an automatic voter registration program by interagency contract and jointly adopted rules.
  • Changes criteria under which a motor‑vehicle/ID application will serve as a dual‑purpose application to register or update a voter registration:
    • If the applicant presents documentation establishing U.S. citizenship (as described in the bill) and is of voter age, or if information provided indicates the applicant is already registered in Illinois and the Secretary of State’s review shows discrepancies, the application shall serve as a dual‑purpose application (subject to conditions in the bill).
    • If an applicant presents documentation that proves the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, the application shall NOT serve as a dual‑purpose application.
    • For applicants whose submitted documents do not clearly establish citizenship or non‑citizenship (and who do not meet REAL ID requirements), the application can still serve as a dual‑purpose registration but triggers particular signature/attestation requirements.
  • Dual‑purpose application content and mechanics:
    • Must allow simultaneous voter registration or changes to a voter’s name/address as they appear on voter rolls.
    • Must include an opportunity to opt out — a checkbox that lets the applicant decline to register or update registration without stating a reason.
    • Must permit the applicant to indicate a preferred language.
    • Requires an affirmative attestation — including penalty‑of‑perjury language — to verify the applicant meets Illinois voter‑registration qualifications; in some cases a separate signature for voter registration attestation is required.
    • The Secretary of State must record the type of identity documents presented and enter U.S. citizenship into a designated data field when appropriate.
  • Conforming changes are made to the Illinois Vehicle Code (reference to 625 ILCS 5/2‑105).
  • Timing: The introduced text required implementation of provisions requiring implementation no later than January 1, 2027; House Amendment No. 1 replaces several “2027” references with “2028.” The bill also states “effective immediately.”

Who is affected

  • People applying for or renewing Illinois driver’s licenses or state ID cards, or filing change‑of‑address/recertification forms — especially those who are eligible to register to vote or who wish to update their voter registration.
  • Secretary of State’s Office: operational impacts to verify registration status, record identity/citizenship data, and implement new forms and processes.
  • State Board of Elections: coordination on AVR rules, data sharing, and processing of registrations.
  • Election administration: potentially increased registrations and address updates; additional records to reconcile.
  • Noncitizens: explicitly excluded from having their motor‑vehicle/ID transactions trigger voter registration if they present ID showing noncitizen status.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Likely to increase and streamline voter registrations and address/name update accuracy by integrating with DMV processes while preserving an opt‑out.
  • Requires implementation work (systems, staff training, data sharing, and rulemaking) at the Secretary of State and State Board of Elections.
  • Raises privacy and administrative questions about recording citizenship status and verifying existing registration status that the implementing rules must address.
  • The implementation deadline was originally Jan 1, 2027, and an amendment submitted 3/12/2025 changes cited dates to 2028 in several places; final effective/implementation dates will depend on enacted language.

Legislative history highlights

  • Filed/referred in February 2025; committee hearings in April 2025; committee substitute reported favorably; placed on General State Calendar in May 2025.
  • Several co‑sponsors added between February and March 2025. House Committee Amendment No. 1 (3/12/2025) modifies implementation dates in the bill text.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a side‑by‑side comparison of current law vs. the bill’s changes, or
- Draft a one‑page explainer for voters about how the new dual‑purpose application would work in practice.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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